<p>I have been accepted to Haverford, Tufts, and Whitman and I am unsure of what to do. I know Tufts is pretty different from the other two–considerably larger and a university not a college–BUT I have found that the student:faculty ratio there is 8:1, and many of the classes seem pretty small (20 or fewer students).</p>
<p>I am interested in studying psychology and music. Does anyone have any input about either of those departments? I am a little concerned because the Psych. dept. seems fairly small and fairly research-oriented, and I am interested in clinical practice after grad school (clinical psych. also interests me considerably more than research). Does the tri-co make up for the apparent small size of the department? Maybe I’ve misinterpreted my observations and what I said isn’t true at all. Any input is appreciated.</p>
<p>For music, I have heard that the department is a joint one with BMC. How do people feel about the musical experience as a whole?</p>
<p>If I had to choose at this moment, I’d choose Haverford, sight unseen. Are there even grounds to compare these three schools?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>TUFTS 
For the best of both worlds: a research university with LAC like feel (size, attention, undergrad focus, access to research funding).</p>
<p>Comparing Tufts to a LAC suggests to me that perhaps some people don’t understand fully what a really great LAC experience can be. Size and student professor ratios are only one component of what makes a top LAC experience different than a university. Professors at LACs are hired for their excellence in teaching… and in the case of HC, the excellence in their research as well. For example,…</p>
<p><a href=“http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:kVa9J-LoO_YJ:www.aai.org/Awards/2005/2005Announcement.htm+jenny+punt+immunology+award&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us[/url]”>http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:kVa9J-LoO_YJ:www.aai.org/Awards/2005/2005Announcement.htm+jenny+punt+immunology+award&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us</a>
<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/biology/Punt/Research/Research%20for%20Web%202004.htm[/url]”>http://www.haverford.edu/biology/Punt/Research/Research%20for%20Web%202004.htm</a></p>
<p>In addition, the students who choose to attend a top LAC like HC do so because they value such things as community, personal attention, rigorous course work, a sense of ownership with their college experience (ect…) over other things like general name recognition, greater course selection and more social opportunities (ect…). It’s this self-selection of people, both faculty and student, that makes a LAC a unique educational environment… good for some but not for many.</p>
<p>Finally, it’s been my experience that the best preparation for professional school and work isn’t content of knowledge but rather skills like writing, analysis, thoughtful questioning, high volume output, time management, public speaking, ect… and this is what makes a true LAC education great. All of the professors at HC obtained their PhDs or training at the most respected universities for their field and they know what is most essential with an undergrad education. Instead of miring your early career in details (that will likely change by the time you graduate), the professors focus on helping you develop and master the skill set that you will need later in life. For you to be trained in the most rigorous forms of analytical research and intellectual engagement is the best way to prepare for a future career.</p>
<p>Yeah, but Tufts’ student/ratio is equal to many LACs: 8 to 1. Furthermore, Tufts is very much a research university that emphasizes undergraduate education – the undergraduate school plays the starring role in institution’s overall framework. The great thing about Tufts is that it plays on both playing fields – LAC and research university – and reaps the benefits of each: small size and individualized attention of a LAC and funding for research & access to graduate classes & programs as an undergraduate that you can’t get an LAC.</p>
<p>Regarding my prior post, as an example of the importance of intellectual depth being more important that # of classes in which to select and size of department, HC doesn’t have one journalism class but that hasn’t stopped was is termed the “HC print mafia”, among them numerous Pulitzer Prize winners and…</p>
<p>Normal Pearlstein: Chief Editor, Times Inc
John Carroll: Editor of the LA Times
Loren Ghiglione: Dean of the Medill J-school at Northwestern</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003567040[/url]”>http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003567040</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/newsletter/april06/silkpanel.htm[/url]”>http://www.haverford.edu/newsletter/april06/silkpanel.htm</a></p>