uPenn vs Middlebury

Modadunn
Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:06:47 +0000

Well… it’s not a research university, this is true. But to say Midd doesn’t have strong sciences is not to have done due diligence in researching what Middlebury has to offer in the way of sciences. For a small LAC, the opportunities are excellent, and while I don’t know jack about being an undergrad at UPenn, I would say the opportunities to get to know and work with your professors at a smaller school is far greater vs one that has a great deal of TA’s, graduate AND PhD students vying for attention.

Obviously, the flavors of these two schools is very, very different in terms of size, location etc etc. But if you look strictly at the undergraduate degree programs and compare those, I think you will see there is not a huge difference in course requirements for those majoring in biochem or biology between the two schools. However, it does look like there might be more courses offered in molecular bio to the undergrad at Midd vs Penn… but I admit I didn’t look too deeply. Honestly, I was surprised at how many avenues there are to pursue at Midd for the science kid (Biology, Chemistry, BioChemistry, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBBC) of which the latter has required research component).

I guess all I am saying is dont assume that just because Midd is a small LAC that their sciences are not up to snuff of a larger university - especially when it comes to undergraduate opportunities. By UPenn’s own admission on their website, there is a strong likelihood that most science majors are looking for further study either via Phd or Med school. And too… Bi-Hall is incredible on all levels. Son has taken classes/labs from a total of six professors (not a single TA) of the Biology and Chemistry departments and he’s been there just a year. It was his opinion that there is time for the big research University, but what he wanted from undergrad was something just a little different. I think he is being very much challenged academically, and also has found a real sense of community at Midd that he is really enjoying.

All of this is assuming you applied to the liberal arts arm of UPen; if you applied/were accepted to the School of Engineering (biomedical engineering or similar), we aren’t comparing apples to apples.