Just got off the Harvey Mudd waitlist for a joint major in Biology and Chemistry, but I committed to UCSD for Molecular and Cell Biology. I'm an international student and need to make my decision by the weekend. Both schools are really good for STEM and have good placements for grad school. While I do like the small class size of Harvey Mudd, my biggest concern is that it will be too academically rigorous and that I will be stuck in a STEM major even if I want to change it down the road. If anyone has any advice or experience pls lmk. Thanks
#UCSD vs Harvey Mudd
elder laurel
winged marsh
if you are at least somewhat sure about bio and chem, harvey mudd genuinely clears ucsd by a mile
toxic pumice
yes. Go w HMC
nimble forge
Def go HMC
burnt spear
HMC
signal canyon
how does the money look?
it sounds like you're not totally committed to STEM and UCSD will give you many more options outside of STEM
grad school placements are better at Mudd, but I think this is largely selection effects. UCSD produces tons of research and will have excellent opportunities to get involved and to make yourself competitive for grad schools
Mudd will give you much more individual attention and resources as a student though, compared to a huge state school like UCSD, and I think that can be really nice in many aspects
elder laurel
how does the money look?
the difference is around 15k but that isn't an issue
i just think the dilemma I'm in is whether I want to fully commit to STEM
is it possible to transfer to one of the 5C's if I do want to change my major to one that isnt offered at HMC?
fresh gale
you don’t have to transfer out of HMC
as long as you take the Harvey Mudd core and minor in a subject offered at Mudd you can do a major from another Claremont college
elder laurel
tysm!
fresh gale
ofc!
I also got off Harvey Mudd waitlist a couple days ago and have a really hard choice
elder laurel
what are you deciding between?
stone star
HMC anyday
don't underestimate the consortium as well
it gives you access to a ton of humanities classes
also the humanities department at HMC is like their 2nd biggest or smth
and the consortium allows you to do a major in one of the other colleges (like pomona) if the major isnt offered in your current college
blazing grove
the difference is around 15k but that isn't an issue
in that case, hmc if you feel like you are up for an extra challenge
it is known to have gpa deflation however so only do if you are getting a bachelors and don't mind additional stress
signal canyon
also the humanities department at HMC is like their 2nd biggest or smth
yeah but the hum core is large
and there's a requirement to take a certain number of hums at mudd and not the other 5Cs
my impression is that most people feel a bit stifled by this
signal canyon
it is known to have gpa deflation however so only do if you are getting a bachel...
nah nah grad placement is still good on the whole, I wouldn't worry too much about deflation as a deterrent
stone star
my impression is that most people feel a bit stifled by this
I think if you are gonna be able to take a large amount of humanities classes at HMC itself I dont think you would feel a lack of a social science scene there
Which OP prefers
signal canyon
I think if you are gonna be able to take a large amount of humanities classes at...
my point though is that there aren't enough classes to do this
not at Mudd itself anyway
across the 5Cs is better
stone star
my point though is that there aren't enough classes to do this
No but
Oh wait nvm I misread your message 😭
fresh gale
what are you deciding between?
Olin
which is probably the most similar college to Harvey Mudd that exists
winged marsh
^^
HMC has everything Olin does and more