I am in the process of finalizing my decision for transferring now that I graduated from my community college. My top choices are UPenn, USC, and Amherst College (I was also admitted into UMichigan, Emory, Swarthmore & UNC Chapel Hill but I’m leaning towards the 3 I mentioned first). Based on my major and interests, I am hoping to get different perspectives on which school would be the best fit.
I plan on majoring in neuroscience to later pursue either a Ph.D. in this subject or an M.D. in Psychiatry. I’m looking for grad school prep and access to research opportunities as an undergrad, specifically on biological basis of human behavior and mental illnesses. While I like to challenge myself, I don’t want to spend the next 2-3 years ONLY studying. I value a school with great professors, active student life, and time to go out in an area with things to do. Since I have versatile interests in music and science, it’s important fo me to also have time for outside pursuits with access to resources in the arts and a degree of flexibility with the courses I choose.
I know these schools are very different, but I have my reasons for applying. A part of me is leaning towards a focused Ivy League education, while another part is wanting a well-rounded liberal arts program. The “work hard, play hard” motto at Penn perfectly describes what I want, but I’m worried about the transition to hard core classes and the grading curve and competitiveness I keep hearing about. Is it true that only a small fraction of the class can get an A? Amherst is appealing to me in terms of academics and grad school prep, but it feels a bit isolated for me. I feel that USC is the perfect balance for me, and Los Angeles is perhaps the best place for musical production ventures. I am still looking to see if it fits the description of the school I described above, and if it’s wise of me to turn down full-rides to an Ivy or a top-tier liberal arts college.
Please feel free to correct any of the information I have about these schools, and I look forward to hearing everyone’s recommendations and feedback. Thank you in advance!
It seems you have described your choices generally quite well. Of your final three schools, Amherst might be your strongest academic option because of its focus on undergraduate education and its strength in your major. Amherst’s curriculum, with its notable flexibility, would also offer you an ideal opportunity for exploring academically. USC offers the abundant music opportunities you seek in a city you feel you would appreciate. Penn’s attributes with respect to your interests seem a little less distinct, but perhaps its social environment most matches your preferences.
If I were you, I would drop USC. Of the other two, Amherst, as a LAC, is probably the best choice if you want to do a PhD. However, if you want to do a Masters in Psychology, UPenn would be the better choice, since it has on of the top psychology undergraduate programs in the country.
USC is not as good as either of the other two in preparing for PhD or for a masters in Psychology.
Swarthmore is another excellent choice for a LAC, as is UMichigan, if you are looking for a research university. Again, both are better choices than USC. Swarthmore is in the Philly metropolitan area, if you feel the need to be close to an urban area.
PS. I assume that you meant a Masters in Psychology, since psychiatrists are MDs.
All great choices. It’s individual preference that should make the choice since I don’t see any huge advantages in any choice academically. I personally would pick Amherst in an instance but , yes, it’s small and remote. I’m surprised you applied there at all given aversion to that when there are so many LACs that do not fit that scrip.
I would not try to make an argument other than personal fit , but for me , the choices would be Amherst, Penn, USC. But then, USC would never have made it on my list.
Yes, Amherst is small, but it’s also part of a consortium of nearby colleges with a combined undergrad enrollment of 30,000 + thousands more grad students.
Remote is a relative term. Anything is remoteto me if it’s far from where I am or where I want to be. The Northampton/Amherst area has a lot going for it, starting with a great music scene. In fact, it’s the 2nd biggest booking location in all of New England. Add to that great restaurants, shops, local museums, and nearby hiking, biking, and skiing.
I think that your praise of Amherst was well placed, and just for me, I would make no apologies for the location. Lots of other LACs are in fact remote from anything other than themselves (Williams says “hello”), but not Amherst.
Obviously just my 2 cents, and I respect any opinions that differ.
Though Penn offers undergraduate schools of business, nursing and engineering, its College of Arts and Sciences has been structured to offer a liberal arts education along the lines of that available at Amherst. However, even a student at CAS at Penn would not experience the exclusive focus on undergraduate education that defines Amherst.
As I said, I’d pick Amherst for myself. I think the consortium area is just fine. But in no way is it like USC in LA or Penn in Philly, both major cities.
Looking back, I think it was a mistake on my part to have stuck to big cities in my personal college search journey. Logistically, it made sense to me as I wanted to have easy and cheap an airport and public transportation, but I think I would have enjoyed less urban environments and LAC format much more.
However, I’m not the OP. I really think what OP feels right now is what’s important.
I’m glad you made that point, @collegemom3717. It’s essential to the OP’s understanding of his or her options. To be clear, I hadn’t intended to contradict it in my own reply above — though I did add further thoughts.
USC’s neuroscience program is supposed to be very good. I’m not a huge believer in rankings for undergraduate programs, but short of anything else, I’m seeing it mentioned in several top 10 and top 20 lists. I went to USC, and they’re constantly talking about USC neuroscience and neuroscience students in the alumni magazines I get.
OP: My impression is that you do not understand your options well–unless USC, Amherst, & Penn have made significantly better financial aid offers than the other schools to which your were offered admission as a transfer student.
Professor recommendations and opportunities for research are going to important to your goals. There is no question you will have much better access to professors at Amherst or Swat than at the others. Presumably you’ve already completed close to two years of undergrad. Frankly, at this point, focus how to best achieve your goals. I feel Amherst, especially with it’s consortium, will best help you do that.
OP: If research is important to you, then avoid the LACs.
Emory University, UPenn, & Michigan as well as UNC/Duke will provide far superior research opportunities for your interests.
Just examine the course offerings and I think that your attention will be drawn to the National Universities.
Because of its location, Swarthmore College should give access to research in the Philadelphia area. But the best options are Emory, UNC/Duke, Michigan, & UPenn.
OP: Quick research on the specific college websites & on the NIH website reveal that UPenn, USC, Michigan, Emory, Brandeis, Vanderbilt, Brown, UNC-Chapel Hill, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Wake Forest University, Univ. of Pittsburgh, UC-San Diego, UC-Davis, Univ. of Texas at Austin offer the most for research in neurology.
For undergrad:
Brown, Emory, Brandeis, UPenn, Michigan, UNC/Duke, WashUStL are all excellent choices.
P.S. I was very impressed by USC’s extensive offerings as well as by UPenn’s.
Amherst College is okay if you want to dabble in neuroscience /neurology, but if you want to major in this area you have far superior options.
Another vote for Amherst, here. You only have two years of undergrad left? Why spend them as a faceless member of the crowd? You will find your way around Amherst much faster than you will at Penn.