SmallFry is a rising college sophomore trying to make a decision about next year on the schools above. Two key factors for SmallFry are (1) a geology major and (2) a strong club program in SmallFry’s sport where SmallFry is likely to get decent playing time. (The sport is very important to SmallFry).
Note: we are in-state for Virginia. Though we can theoretically afford the out of state options, I know it is a little bit crazy to be considering paying double the tuition at a private given that we have 2 great in-state options, classes are likely to be online next fall, and geology will likely require grad school which we may not be able to help with if SmallFry does not go instate. Nonetheless, I still want to analyze each school on the merits so we know what we are giving up (if anything) by going to one of the in-state options.
Below are my impressions of the schools. I’d appreciate any thoughts from others (especially anyone who is knowledgeable about geology, which I am not).
Bates - checks the boxes for both sport and major. I love the school but am very concerned about its financial future in this environment. Relative to its peers, Bates has a very small endowment. Departments like geology and a club sport seem like the kind of things that would be among the first to suffer funding cuts. Relative to the other private schools, Bates culture seems slightly more “left” than the others but not significantly so.
Hamilton – has a geology major and a decently strong club program, but chances for good playing time are not great. Very similar to Bates but seems more financially more solid. Perhaps a little more of a preppy and center-ish vibe than Bates. My impression (perhaps incorrect) is that relative to Bates, Hamilton is a little more strong on the humanities and a little less strong on the science.
Colgate – has a geology major and also offers astrogeophysics, which I think is similar to BU’s planetary geology major (see below). Club sport is offered but is a weak program. Seems super similar to Hamilton except my impression (again, perhaps incorrect) is that it is a little stronger in geology and maybe even a bit more preppy and center than Hamilton.
BU - checks both boxes for sport and major. Additional box checked for major because offers a planetary geology which is of particular interest to SmallFry and not available at many schools. Academically, a solid school but perhaps a tick below the other schools (SmallFry disagrees). Name recognition is good nationwide, whereas other schools may not have good name recognition depending on where you are in the country. The most expensive school on the list. Campus/community a little less cohesive than the others.
William and Mary - checks box for major. Club sport is not strong but SmallFry would likely get substantial playing time. As noted above, this is in-state tuition for us. Academics seem solid. Student body seems a little more nerdy/academically intense/serious than the other schools – while a plus for me, a minus for SmallFry. In DC area reputation is very strong but outside DC, less so. Even for a state school, not very geographically diverse – high % of kids from Northern VA – also a minus for SmallFry.
UVa – again, in-state for us. Unfortunately, there is no geology major (!) – just earth science – but there might be research opportunities in geology and a path to studying geology in grad school. Club sport is also not strong. Probably the so-called “best” school of all the choices in terms of rankings and maybe reputation. UVa is probably slightly more geographically diverse and a better social fit than W&M in terms of the student body, but probably not as good a social fit as the private schools.