URichmond [biochemistry and molecular biology] vs. Wesleyan University [chemistry] [full ride at both]

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I’m trying to decide between the University of Richmond (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) and Wesleyan University (Chemistry). I got full rides from both, Richmond Scholar and Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholar.

Aspects that I consider important to me are as follows:

Polymer materials and drug/therapeutics development research

Wesleyan professors’ research pretty much covers all of my interest. Richmond professors seem to be only involved in drug and front-end biochemical research.

Music

Both have good orchestra, chamber ensembles. Wesleyan appears to have a more vibrant overall music scene, especially in acappella, with nearly 30 groups. That said, I am a bit concerned about how competitive these groups might be, as I’m not trained in singing (though I do have good intonation).

I’m also interested in studying and continuing my work on music composition and production. Anyone have insight into which school might offer stronger opportunities in this area?

Anthropology

Wesleyan has a more interesting program in anthropology, and aligns better with my interests in ethnography research.

Business

After being admitted to Richmond, I realized that I might be able to take advantage of their Business and Entrepreneurship program, which I think is a quite highly regarded program, for translating research outcomes into products and startups. Business opportunities may not be as accessible in Wesleyan.

Study Abroad

Richmond is known for its strong study abroad programs, and I do wish to study in another country for a semester if possible.

Scholarship structure & support

Last but not least, an additional factor I’ve been considering is the difference between the two scholarships. The Richmond Scholars Program is awarded directly by the university, while the Freeman Asian Scholarship is funded by the Freeman-Asia organization, which while it does select by academic strengths, ECs…, has a more important purpose of promoting communications between the citizens of US and Asian countries.

Given this, will there be any differences in the level of academic/research or other institutional support I would receive in each college? For instance, it might be easier for me to get research/entrepreneurship opportunities or project fundings in Richmond? (I know Richmond Scholars get priority course registration.)

Would really appreciate any advice or additional perspectives I could consider. Thank you so much!

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The campus cultures of Wesleyan University and the University of Richmond are quite different. Does this matter to you ?

Based on what you have shared, Wesleyan University seems to better match your current interests.

Business education will always be available, but research opportunities related to your specific interests may not.

There are several dozen masters in business degrees available (typically MiM–Master’s in Management programs) to recent college graduates. Both in-person and online options are available. Full time MiM programs are typically 10 months long.

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I also think of these LACs as having rather different vibes, and there tends not to be a lot of overlap in my circles between kids who would consider them. Have you looked into that, possibly visited?

ETA: By the way, neither college requires you to declare a major at this point. So you could do Chemistry at Richmond, or MB&B at Wesleyan, or something else entirely at either. You can take some time to explore your options before deciding.

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Both great schools but with different vibes. Focus on fit. IMO, you seem to have more pros listed for Wesleyan.

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I do not have the opportunity to visit before attending. I’ve sensed that the two have different vibes, but I’m not sure how to put it precisely. I think wes is pretty artsy and liberal, but I do not have a very accurate description of Richmond’s vibe. How would you describe Richmond?

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Have only visited Rivhmond of your choices. Richmond is a beautiful campus with smart and hard working kids. A lot of emphasis on leadership. All the kids we have talked to (3 or 4) as well as families we have met with kids at the school have said great things about the campus the town and the school experience. Maybe it’s just the “feel” I got but it came off as more preppy/fratty as my kids would say. Decently large Greek culture (btw - to many that’s a feature, not a bug) and did not have an artsy vibe at all (at least to me). I know there are kids of all types at these schools but if you’re asking for “vibe” that was what my kids felt. We toured it twice and my older applied but pulled his app after getting into his ED school.

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My impression of Richmond is that it’s more southern-preppy, and more pre-professional than Wesleyan. Perhaps apolitical/slightly right-leaning? I’m not sure about that. Richmond’s Greek culture is definitely more traditional than Wes’s, and I think it dominates the campus more.

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As an over-generalization I’d say Wes is more artsy/liberal and URichmond is more preppy/pre-professional. Weather will be colder at Wes if that is a factor.

One idea is to see if you can find the school newspapers online. It may give you a sense of campus life.

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I agree with this. Wesleyan would be my recommendation

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Agree. I’m a Wes parent, and I think your interests and preferences align well with Wes.

My kid is an anthro major and loves it; the faculty are great!

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The campuses are physically different in ways that may or may not be important to you as an international student. URichmond is not within walking distance of the actual city of Richmond; you will need a car in order to visit anything of interest off-campus. And while Middletown is pretty quiet, it does have a Main Street with plenty of variety and places to go if you ever just want to take a stroll off campus. I pass by the URichmond exit on my way through Richmond all the time and it’s literally in the middle of nowhere.

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My son is finishing up his freshman year at U of Richmond. He has absolutely loved his experiences so far. He is a Biology Pre-Med major. The opportunities he has been afforded already have made it so that he isn’t just sitting in a class constantly. In the fall, they went to the James River and worked with a scientist/researcher that is working with Sturgeon.

He did not rush for a frat. And he has no desire to party. But he has made good friends and joined a club team.

They offer so many opportunities to go downtown/Cary Street/off campus that he has not felt any need for a car on campus. (He will take a car next year to help because we are 4 hours away and he wants to be able to come home when its time for breaks (not wait for mom/dad).

Also, the Richmond guarantee is super helpful and I know at some point he will be using it. This summer he got a paid internship.

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Bottom line is that these are two excellent LACs with different vibes. IMO fit is important, especially when considering LACs. It is a case where two reasonable people could make two different choices.

Congrats again on the great options. Please let us know your decision.

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As others are saying, Richmond has a more preppy/pre professional vibe. Still smart and hardworking, but I would consider it to be similar to, say, Wake Forest in that sense.

Wesleyan is more artsy and academicky. People I know sometimes compare it to Brown in terms of vibe, which makes sense to me.

Of course there is a mix of personalities and interests at both schools. But with LACs in particular, I think this becomes a somewhat self-reinforcing effect as their public images help attract students looking for that vibe.

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from what I am reading, Wesleyan sounds a much cleaner fit -
First, “Wesleyan professors’ research pretty much covers all of my interest.” - perfect!

And overall.. I think the fit - Wes is, by reputation, more research-focused, much music-focused, more interdisciplinary, etc. If I knew someone with your interests, I would think Wesleyan, not Richmond (for business would think Richmond, but not so much Music or Anthro or Polymers/Drug dev.)

Also, Middletown by no means is super close to NY, but you can certainly get there for the weekend occasionally to explore the music scene, and New Haven also has a music scene and is even closer!

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Yup! My kid goes 1-2x each semester to see shows. Very easy daytrip.

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PCE New Venture Awards (NVA) - Wesleyan University

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Lyn-Manuel Miranda went to Wes. He is not typical in the sense that not every Wes grad is going to go on to compose Hamilton, In the Heights, all the work he’s done for Disney animated films. But he is very typical in terms of the connectivity to a variety of art forms (is he a performer or a composer? is he a cultural historian or just a musician?) which I think makes Wes stand out a bit from its academic peers.

The two most recent Wes grads I know- one who studied Environmental Science, and one who studied Computer Science- were both active musicians. Jazz combos, early music played with original instruments, non-Western composers, etc.

Richmond is terrific. It is more pre-professional and less arty. So a nice way to evaluate the differences. Congrats on fine options!

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Given what you’ve written, I don’t see how Wes isn’t the choice.

Why does where the funding come from matter? What matters is what you need to do to get the funding - i.e. keep a certain GPA - as long as your confident that the Wes funding has no danger (like the outside group loses their ability to fund).

Study abroad is not a reason to pick a school - because all have affiliates or like many, you could attend another school’s study abroad if you can’t find what you want. Many allow kids from other colleges.

As for the business part - you may be able to access but what if you can’t? And I’m sure Wes kids start businesses and certainly do research.

Congrats on an outstanding achievement.

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Richmond’s sciences sometimes get overlooked because of UR’s popular business programs. Nonetheless, Richmond offers excellent programs in the foundational sciences of biology and chemistry and through its interdisciplinary BMB major. Moreover, Richmond’s science lab facilities are highly regarded:

Regarding Wesleyan, should you foresee taking a computational approach to scientific inquiry and development, then Wesleyan’s interdisciplinary Quantitative Analysis Center might provide you with a great resource for such pursuits:

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