<p>I’m sure that anyone replying here will favor Haverford, but I’d like some answers/explanations/ input anyway.</p>
<p>What college would be better for me? I know it is ultimately my preference, and I will get a great education at both, but I was hoping for some input.</p>
<p>I plan to major in science, mabye physics, math, possibly economics.</p>
<p>I intend on attending law school, so I obviously want to be prepared and able to get into a great law school. However, I could very likely change my mind about law school, but will go to some form of graduate school.</p>
<p>I’m a very social person, but I can easily separate my academic and party life.</p>
<p>I want decent flexibility in my curriculum, but don’t mind fulfilling any core requirements. I want LOTS of options in courses. Also, I like the small class sizes that both have.</p>
<p>While the research is great at a large institution like Chicago, that doesnt necessarily trickle down to the undergrad level. Many times, such resources are only made available to seniors or those few lucky enough to land a summer research spot. At a place like HC, which is focused on undergrad education 100%, the resources are there for students 100%. Although HC may have less equipment and research resources, availability is what makes the difference. Thats why, for example, a junior chemistry major uses a $1 million NMR machine in a required class, a junior physics major can tinker with an atomic force microscope and biology majors learn PCR, electron microscopy, fluoroscopy, mono-clonal anti-body production, ect as part of a required lab experience. Dont assume that just because a prestigious university has such capacity that it is available for undergrad use as it usually isnt (grad students are higher on the totem pole). </p>
<p>Among LACs, as I wrote, HCs sciences are remarkable. Only at HC, you will find a National Academy of Science member (Gollub in physics), a lab funded by the NIH (HC has <strong>2</strong>) and students working on human stem cells in biology research. Only with Williams, HC has received maximum funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute over the last 2 funding cycles and the total cash amounts were the same and HC is ½ the size. In addition, HCs location allows many scientists to visit the campus and it allows students to conduct research off campus as well and, in the last 2 years, a student did physics research with the chair of physics at Penn, another conducted Hep C research at Penn, another worked on HIV, and now there is the new Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Penn that I linked before. Were not talking about undergrads washing glassware here either </p>
<p>For professional and grad schools, HC carries its weight with the best. Fortunately, people on admissions boards are <strong><em>academics</em></strong> in their fields and are savvy enough to recognize a quality undergraduate experience and are not so easily impressed or swayed by name recognition as some on CC. </p>
<p>If you want to procrastinate, why not apply to both, see where you get in, which has the better $$$ offer and do one more visit in the springtime?</p>
<p>Well I have already been accepted at Chicago, and I was considering applying to Haverford as well. I would still have to write the essay, but that can be done and edited in 2 hours. I have apps in other places, but wasn’t sure if it was pointless to apply to HC and being admitted to UChi.</p>
<p>But at U of C you’dbe on the quarter system, therefore getting 50% more classes in 4 years. You can’t go wrong either place, just make sure you talk to lawyers before you take the plung into law school. Most hated law school and hate being lawyers even more.</p>