Amherst College v Durham University
I'm currently set to start studying at Amherst in a couple of weeks, but after spending the summer working in America (I'm an international student), I'm beginning to have some doubts. In short, while I understand that Amherst has a strong reputation, small but close alum network etc - I'm not convinced that I would enjoy the 'college experience' at Amherst. I would not be an athlete, and so I am not sure how much I would enjoy myself socially at a very liberal college in rural MA that doesn't have a great reputation for social life outside of athlete circles.
I managed to find the option to study at a university in the UK - Durham University. I understand many posters here might be unfamiliar with the university. It is a well-respected school domestically (I think most would probably put it at #4 or 5 in the country for my subject), but holds little clout internationally. The same could perhaps be said for Amherst, but I think that educated sets across the globe would likely still hold Amherst in quite high regard. Either way, I'm sure that Durham is a better fit for me.
It might be worth mentioning that I'm not completely sold on a career in IB - although it is something that I've strongly considered and I have done some short placements at banks. In saying this, I think that careers advice for IB is likely to be good advice for any other career paths I might end up following.
Again, I understand many might not be familiar with Durham and so comparisons might be difficult, but I'm still curious to see how big a disadvantage people think going to Durham over Amherst might be.
Thanks for any advice.
If money is not a concern, go to Amherst. It is a fantastic place and the reputation is immense, comparable to any Ivy, even internationally. I know the area well and it is very special.
Thank you for response. Because of the way that my financial aid works, Durham would actually be slightly more expensive but the difference is negligible so no concerns there. Anything in particular that makes the area so special?
Regardless of your future career path, go to Amherst and don't look back--especially if you plan to work or go to graduate school in the States. The potential doors that can open for students at top LACs are incredible. Within the United States, a strong academic record at Amherst will allow you to land most of the career or scholastic goals you may have.
Thanks for the response. It might have been worth mentioning this in the OP, but I don't actually plan to work in the States - instead I see myself working in the UK. Do you think Amherst will still open considerably more doors than Durham if this was my intention?
As a student in MA, Amherst is great.
Don't be so caught up on alumni, but it really sounds like you want to go to Durham. Amherst opens doors well in the States but it might be a little different culture/lifestyle/fun.
2 MDs I've spoken much to about, more than 1 hour each, have said that as I walk into the interview, make sure you want to do IB. It can be painful if you're not interested in the subject and work starts. Then possibility of shining and being top bucket analyst chances, really drops.
Hey OP, i'm doing an MSc in Economics at Durham University, and I have to agree that you're right about Durham. It's a great university that really isn't internationally well known. Regardless, if you want a job in the UK, Durham University is a great school to get a degree from.
In terms of the social scene, Durham has many sports student clubs ranging from american football to claypigeon shooting. Almost everyone at this university is doing some form of activity. Rowing being the most popular here. Also, I hope you enjoy drinking because that's what most social gatherings are going to be about.
While I do enjoy the university I am studying at, I would study at Amherst if I had the chance.
Yeah - I think what I like about Durham is that it's simple. Their seems to be a lot of weird social dynamics at Amherst. Whereas at Durham, I imagine I'd be involved in a sports team and a music society, go out drinking with friends throughout the weeks, and have good job prospects (at least in the UK) following graduation providing I did well with exams and internships etc.
Is there any particular reason that you would study at Amherst over Durham?
First of all, it's a school in the USA. If I wish to work in the USA, an american degree will makes things easier. Second of all, its a top LAC if the top LAC.
Although Durham is seen as strong academically, it's well beyond Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial, Warwick and is not considered as a target uni in the UK. It is in Russel Group, so I guess you could say it's a semi-target. The banks in the UK mostly prefer Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick and don't usually go beyond this (especially true for EBs here).
Also, in terms of social life Durham is dead, like literally DEAD. There is only one place that is more boring than Durham, it's St. Andrews in Scotland.If you are aiming for IB (which you are not sure of), I would strongly advise to consider London unis – LSE and UCL, they are not much harder to get to than Durham and some degrees at UCL are much easier.
Thanks for the response. I did have the option of going to the top London universities, but decided against going there for a number of reasons. The other career path I was considering was a career in commercial law where Durham generally only comes behind Oxbridge and LSE in terms of placement - I have heard that the 5 you mentioned + Imperial tended to make up the target list for IB in the UK however. How difficult do you think it would be to secure a spring week or summer internship at a BB from Durham - assuming everything else is in order?
While I know it's not for everyone, I quite like the social scene at Durham - everyone I spoke to there seemed to like the university which was very different to the experience I had in talking to LSE students.
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I'll let you know that firms to come here for IB recruitment. Inviting students to drinks and dinners. While Durham is a semi-target, you can still get recruited. There is also quite a few clubs related to investing as well, so don't worry.
Unless things have changed drastically in the few years since I've been there, Durham is litttt. Not sure where this negativity about the social scene is coming from. I was never bored and had too much to do. Sport is huge, lots of formals, good clubs (student organized) and good night life. Many people go out 4-5 nights a week. It's a great institution and if you apply yourself you can get into the same room as Oxbridge/Ivy kids.
Hey OP, this is a response for posters who had a slightly negative opinion about the school. If you care about rankings Durham is top 5 guaranteed regardless of the ranking you choose to judge it from.
I always forgot the collegiate system which is similar to Oxford or Cambridge University, which makes really easy for you to interact with other 1st who live in college. And while I do agree that the town the university is situated in, is small. It is a Unesco heritage and if you apply to live in at Castle College/University college you'll have the opportunity to live in a castle. Same castle where the first two films of Harry Potter were filmed.
I also want to mention that you're 15 minutes away by train from Newcastle which is a great city. The University has a plan to also invest around 700 million pounds in 10 years, so there's that thing as well.
In terms of academics, Durham is great for law slightly under Oxford, Cambridge and LSE.
Durham is the U.K.s best sports university. You'll find a very frat like culture in every college and grads place well in London based jobs. Each BB takes serveral people from Durham each year, so do Law firms.
Any more thoughts that compare the schools a bit more directly for IB (I couldn't take up a place at either this year due to financial issue for this year)?
Are grad opps going to be that much different in terms of Durham v Amherst minus the geographic location? Could I transfer from London to the US for IB if I started out at Durham?
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