<p>I am a sophomore at St. Olaf majoring in biology with a strong interest in Spanish as well, and I have not had an issue with Olaf at all. There are many, many opportunities for undergraduate research, from summer research internships ([St</a>. Olaf College | CURI 2012 Summer Research Projects](<a href=“http://www.stolaf.edu/academics/curi/summer-research/2012projects.html]St”>http://www.stolaf.edu/academics/curi/summer-research/2012projects.html)) to REU positions to regular semester-length independent research. We do have strong ties to the Mayo Clinic as well, and I’m pretty sure a cancer treatment center was just built in Northfield. </p>
<p>The Spanish department is also excellent. I have had three different professors here and they were all amazing, and I know of several others whom friends highly recommend. St. Olaf also offers many great abroad interim classes in the fields you are interested in, from Spanish in Ecuador, Costa Rica or Spain to Peruvian Medical Experience and tons of other interesting locations and topics. </p>
<p>It sounds like both colleges will offer you great research experiences and strong departments, so I would look more into what flavor of campus life you prefer. Memphis is definitely much larger than Northfield, although the twin cities are pretty close (~40 mins away) if you are into city life. Have you visited them both? Are you okay with the cold winters up here? I agree that a liberal arts college is the way to go. There is so much flexibility and exposure to other disciplines! I don’t think you can go wrong either way, so I wish you luck with your decision!</p>