Northwestern vs. Harvey Mudd

Colleges & Universities Northwestern University
1

<p>Hi everybody,</p>

<p>I’ve been admitted at NU but didn’t take my admittance seriously until about a few hours ago after hearing some good things about the school. Before this, I was set on going to Harvey Mudd College (in CA), which is a very science-intensive school. I plan to do biochemistry or chemistry while pursuing pre-med. Do anybody here have any information on the strength of the science programs at NU and how they might compare to Mudd? Are there enough reserach opportunities at NU, or are they mostly hogged up by grad students? Are classes ever taught by grad students?</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>NU is superb in the areas in which you are interested.
You would also have research opportunities aplenty.
Almost all courses are taught by profs, but sometimes there is a weekly review section led by a TA.
Both of these schools are absolutely superb, among the best in the U.S. You cannot go wrong, so my advice is to pick the type of school, in terms of size, atmosphere and location, which appeals more to you. They are completely different in those respects.</p>

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<p>Check other NU threads about chemistry in general and the nanotech program in particular (possibly the strongest in the country and chemistry dept driven):</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/666855-chemistry-major.html?highlight=chemistry[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/666855-chemistry-major.html?highlight=chemistry&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062241630-post6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062241630-post6.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[International</a> Institute for Nanotechnology](<a href=“http://www.iinano.org/]International”>http://www.iinano.org/)</p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to the NU Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center](<a href=“http://www.nsec.northwestern.edu/]Welcome”>http://www.nsec.northwestern.edu/)</p>

<p>Both NU and Mudd are top 10 undergrad chem departments nationally. I’ve argued before that chemistry at Northwestern is possibly the single strongest department in WCAS. Once past entry levels, you’ll find a lot more intimacy at Northwestern than you seem to believe possible. Part of the reason lies in the small number of chem majors found here. Lots of pre meds and budding biologists stop at orgo and never make it to higher levels. Classes miniaturize quickly and professor accessibility and attention is great.</p>

<p>Mudd is a very intense no holds barred immerse yourself with other science/math nerds kind of place. It will be a much more quirky, mad scientist experience and, as you have probably found, the kids there work their tails off but generally love the masochism. Claremont’s consortium does expand Mudd’s tiny student body to make the experience feel more diverse. But requirements will be more science/math based at Mudd. More liberal arts opportunities will exist on a non tech institute campus like Northwestern doing chem within Arts and Sci. While chem grad students are absolutely in evidence here, they are some of the best in the country. You’ll have great opportunities for the most cutting edge research going on anywhere. And yes, you’re needed. Northwestern chem has way too much research going on, funded up the wazoo, and never enough hands on board. </p>

<p>Then there’s the premed issue. Mudd is near-notoriously reputed to have some of the most serious grade deflation anywhere. Northwestern is no cakewalk, but certainly on another grading plane. Find out (if you can) if this reputation at Mudd is deserved. I hate to even bring this up, but you bring up the pre-med issue. If Mudd is indeed this extreme, your GPA and med school admission potential may be mortally wounded.</p>

<p>Last, but not least, make sure you’ll be happy wherever you go. These are two very different schools with two very different environments. The kids though, may actually overlap more than you imagine. The tech/science nerds at Northwestern I know look a lot like the tech/science nerds at Mudd (just without the tans).</p>