We are trying to build a list of smaller LACs or colleges that might offer good science and biochem/chemistry opportunities on the East Coast. Prefer a school without Greek system. Seeking schools that may offer research experience for undergrads. We heard Wesleyan seems to be a good reach school. What other schools should we add to the list? UW GPA 3.9, no SAT yet.
You might like this visualization as a way to narrow down the list. It’ll be quite large! Basically, you put narrow down with major, size of school, location, and it gives you a list of colleges based on the number of people that majored in that field at that university. It uses 2020 data, but assuming there’s no major (pun intended) changes, then it’s a good first start at seeing what colleges might have more students that like those majors at those colleges.
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jonboeckenstedt/viz/CollegeMajorFinder/Dashboard2
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There are a lot with strong natural sciences in general, as the natural sciences have always been a core part of the liberal arts and sciences model. Biochem as a major and no Greek life, however, would narrow things down at least some.
If applicable I would definitely check out some of the women’s colleges, like Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, and Mt Holyoke.
Also Vassar, which is obviously co-ed now.
Plenty of NESCACs in addition to Wesleyan. Without Greek life, Middlebury, Bowdoin, or Bates, for example. I believe Wesleyan does have a small percentage of Greek life, by the way, but from what I understand it is sufficiently small to definitely not feel like it in any way is critical to social life there.
For whatever reasons, lots of small colleges in PA seem into this area. Many do have some Greek life, however, but Juniata I believe has no Greek system.
If Jesuit colleges would be an option, Loyola Maryland.
Finally, Brandeis is a small(ish) research university, but I would think well worth considering.
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Or Holy Cross.
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Absolutely. I believe Biochem there is what they call a Concentration, which you would add to a major in either Bio or Chem, but I would not let that deter me if Holy Cross was otherwise a strong fit.
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If you might like to consider colleges by their science labs, this site includes a few smaller colleges on the East Coast with well-regarded facilities:
Bates, for example, would provide a solid foundation for a student interested in molecular biology along with associated research opportunities.
As noted above, Wesleyan does maintain some residential Greek life. Perhaps it might be best not to avoid all colleges with this attribute.
I think that the problem that you are going to get is that there are so many of them. You could end up with a long list. You do need safeties, but again there are a lot of options.
3.9 unweighted is pretty good. Somewhere like Bowdoin or Colby or Williams or Wellesley College would be a reach (and these four schools would be a reach even with a 4.0 unweighted).
Two wild thoughts if you want to go a bit further north and east, but stay right on the coast: Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and Acadia University in Nova Scotia are both very good in general, and very good for a range of sciences including biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. Both are small universities which are pretty much the Canadian equivalent of a liberal arts college. Both are in attractive small towns right on the Bay of Fundy (there are for example 40 foot tides within a mile of the Acadia campus). Both are reasonably priced for international students. With a 3.9 unweighted GPA both would be close to being safeties. Mount Allison is test optional. Acadia does not even consider SAT or ACT scores (admissions is largely based on grades and to a lesser extent references). One daughter attended one of the small “primarily undergraduate” universities in eastern Canada, did very well, got very good research opportunities, and is currently getting a PhD at a very good university back here in the USA.
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Holy Cross has research opportunities thru the Weiss Summer Research program, both in STEM and humanities. Many research opportunities continue year round, not just the summer. My kid participated in a Weiss research program that was NIH funded, was published and presented at a national scientific meeting in D.C. Fantastic opportunity to get right into a research cohort since you’re not fighting grad students for a slot. Also the mentorship from the PhD professor was invaluable including writing recommendations and general career development guidance. The Anthony Fauci Science Complex is a top tier facility.
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Brandeis has everything on your checklist. It’s small, lots of opportunity for research, East Coast, and a very small Greek system (Frats & Sororities exist but aren’t officially recognized by the University). Also, it’s right outside of Boston, so the kids can take advantage of all the city offers - internships, research opportunities, and the fun stuff too. My daughter is there and absolutely loves it.
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Having gone through the college admissions process this past year I would recommend visiting Lehigh, Colgate, Holy Cross, Trinity, Wesleyan and Middlebury.
For slightly larger schools I would look at Cornell, Boston College and U Rochester.
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A few of these schools report relatively high Greek participation, however:
2026 Colleges with the Most Students in Fraternities | US News Rankings https://share.google/htYZLeLEOw4NJYLcT
2026 Colleges with the Most Students in Sororities | US News Rankings https://share.google/0d16Hc4ZNTh7dBbTX
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Yes, but did not seem like that was a deal breaker for the student. In most instances there is still plenty for students to do social-wise even at schools with a Greek system.
Visiting schools is an important part of the college decision process.
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This site may help you sort potential choices by difficulty of admission:
Check out Swarthmore! It’s part of the Tri College Consortium near Philly, so they have access to all sorts of resources and classes beyond their own offerings.
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What type of academic rigor. What budget?
You can get research experience - pretty much anywhere undergrad. Often, it seems schools can’t fill all their research spots.
What is East Coast? NE, SE. Mid Atlantic, etc. Do you want warm or cold, etc. Urban, suburban or rural, etc.
There’s myriad schools that will be fine for you.
Need more info or you’ll get a who’s who of schools - which you already did - vs. a more targeted list specific to your needs…especially budget but also to know the level of student this is rigor wise.
Thanks
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Pretty sure its Life Sciences Building is due to open ahead of schedule. Perhaps as soon as this Fall:
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Parent of a current student, and it’s extremely limited—and co-ed. Really not anything like Greek life as people traditionally envision it. I believe there are two houses with Greek letters and another that is very arts focused. Pretty sure there is no requirement to live in the house if you are a member.
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3.9 UW now at end of Junior year, will ultimately take 6 APs, scored 5 on first AP so far (World History). Has been a citizen scientist for a local coastal conservation group, 100+ hours as a conservation advocate at a local aquarium. Hasn’t taken SAT. Interested in chem or biochem for natural sciences. Only issue with academic rigor is that the kid will only have done pre-calc by senior year. (ADHD was a contributing factor in not being ahead on math). I think prefer Northeast but open to a place with outdoor opportunities. Outdoorsy, driven, but think will thrive at a smaller LAC with opp to get to know professors. No budget yet, but we are flexible. Thanks for your ideas.
Thank you!
This is great, thanks!
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