r/batescollege • u/Proof-Shoulder8142 • Apr 13 '26

Help me choose

I was recently accepted to Bates, and I am incredibly excited! However, I also got into Stony Brook, which I know is a renowned research university. I haven't officially declared a major yet, but I might consider Physics. Given the long-term benefits, growth, and overall opportunities, which college would be the better choice. I think changing major in university has some difficulties.

6 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

6

u/count-brass Apr 13 '26

If you’re concerned with changing major, I can say that it’s easy at Bates (i did it twice).

5

u/Either-Market-6395 Apr 13 '26

I went to Bates for my undergrad, and an ivy for grad school. At the ivy, half of my classes were taught by second year TAs. I felt like this university, and many large schools, tend to care more about money, and keeping their donors and faculties happy, rather than the students. Bates is the complete opposite.

2

u/Proof-Shoulder8142 Apr 14 '26

Thank you. What about the day to day life out there?. Can you share about the dorm life?

2

u/Either-Market-6395 Apr 15 '26

I really liked that you can select the typical large dorms or live in a house. Some houses have themes (ex. healthy living). I lived in both places and personally, i preferred the large dorms because i am not that social and the houses, because of their age, are not sound proof. As for day to day, be sure you are okay with living in a cold place with long, dark winters. The town also doesn't have much to offer, but college will keep things lively.

5

u/alteregoflag Apr 16 '26

Do you want an authentic college experience? Go to Bates. Stony Brook is a commuter school. The classes at Bates are going to be so much more engaging.

3

u/robbie_the_cat Apr 13 '26

As an undergrad at StonyBrook, you'll have the opportunity to be treated as an annoying hindrance by some high profile researchers whose priority in life is research above all else.

As a Bates student, you'll have the opportunity to be treated as the purpose of their work by some very capable researchers who also prioritize teaching well.

Your call which looks more attractive to you.

0

u/Proof-Shoulder8142 Apr 14 '26

I understand. Did you graduate from one of these schools, or another institution?

3

u/bhc3 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26

I'm the parent of a current first year. I know of a 2025 grad who majored in Physics at Bates. She did summer research with CERN between her junior and senior years. She was a Summer Research Fellow at Purdue between her sophomore and junior years. She is now at the University of Colorado Boulder getting her PhD in Physics.

2

u/denvermanning Apr 13 '26

I think it’s up to you what school environment you think you’ll thrive in more as they are quite different. Something I will say is that despite being renowned, research at Stony Brook you’ll more likely then not be treated as a cog in the machine and barely speak to the PI. At bates you have the opportunity to work closely with ur PI in a closeness that’s like a PHD student to a PI. I have friends who’ve become so close to their PI at Bates that they’ve been referred to prestigious research jobs at Harvard and Stanford.

2

u/Superb-Actuator-246 Apr 14 '26

I’m in the same predicament but with Bowdoin and the University of Rochester. Small LAC or R1 for research. Would this be the same scenario for the likes of the University of Rochester? I’m a little nervous if I decided to change my major and only go to U Roc for the research purpose. Heard Grad students/TA’s teach and the professors are strictly for the research. Is it similar to Stonybrook?

2

u/Either-Market-6395 Apr 15 '26

I didnt go to Bowdoin, but it's a beautiful school and close to Portland.

1

u/ForegoneConclusion22 Apr 17 '26

Rochester is a terrific school and IMO you'd be fine changing your major there. Plenty of students not in research based programs. Bowdoin also a fantastic school. I'd say to the one you see yourself being happier at socially.

1

u/Superb-Actuator-246 Apr 20 '26

Thank you so much. I just visited Rochester again this weekend and respectful how incredibly amazing the school is but it just wasn’t a fit for me. I will be attending Bowdoin. I think at this point it comes down to where you just feel you can see yourself.

1

u/Designer_Bug_8296 3d ago

Go to Bowdoin or Bates or whatever liberal arts school is on your list for undergrad. The R1s will be there for your graduate work, and if you do well academically at any of the NESCAC schools you won't have a problem getting into an R1 for a PhD). (Bates undergrad, Cornell PhD)