I can’t speak to either but if you have not done so yet, look at the faculty biographies at each schools and see which professors have research interests that align with your own (or at least pique your curiosity). (If it’s not listed in their bio on the school’s website, google their name and CV/name and research publications.)

Also did you get a tour of the labs at each?

Good luck!

I didn’t go to Plymouth and I partied a bunch with people at Plymouth and from Plymouth at Livermore falls. If you are solely looking at not partying and just studying I’m sure you could just avoid parties. It’s a known party school though.

Most likely the reason you get mixed answers on the partying is people get what they look for. The ones that went to party found it. The ones that went to study most likely spent more time researching and less time drinking. It's what you make of it. I absolutely agree with the other person's post too. Research the professors and see what they have to offer you. Also... Congrats on the acceptance!

Future employers will judge your resume by your school. It's not fair or right but it is what most employers do in the screening process before you even get an interview. Biochemistry and a lab science will look better coming from UNH than from Plymouth. Unless Plymouth has a clear pipeline and connections with companies in your field (possible) I would go UNH.

Went to UNH, but have a fair number of friends who went to Plymouth and know some of the faculty.

If it's an honest money-not-an-issue choice between UNH and Plymouth, with education being the focus, choose UNH.

Plymouth is starting to struggle with declining enrollment and entire departments are getting slashed. UNH just has more resources for almost everything.

Party culture exists at every college. Some will be more than others, but it's all about what you want to do. Guarantee you if you don't want to partake you will find a group of likeminded folks at either school.

Not to stress you out OP but think about what you want to do with a biochem degree post undergrad and talk to profs about where their students go. Some schools treat programs more generally, others will be more focused on producing students that want to go do a masters/PhD, or some will have a really strong pipeline to different companies post grad. Consider what you think you want to do and use that to help guide you.

Plymouth is honestly a lot more than the partying. Sure, it is definitely fun but- there is so much to do. Most of it is close by- that’s if you’re planning on having a car. So many mountains to hike if you like that, Meredith, North Conway, Lincoln… the list goes on really! Plus there’s a lot right in Plymouth for you to look into. The school is great too, it’s not hard to find a group of people and the staff is usually very supportive. I have heard the science courses are very competitive and can be hard as far as grading & teaching style. Aka prepare to teach yourself some stuff on the side & lots of exams.

Edit: should’ve added I graduated from there! 🙂

You should go to a two year school and find a good school to transfer to after. Neither of those schools are a reach to get into, and you will save yourself a lot of money (either way) with getting prereqs out of the way and then transferring. Then you can have time to research the best school to transfer into (which tend to have even easier entrance requirements / scholarship opportunities)

UNH is a better school but it's also one of (if not the) most expensive state colleges in the country.

If you can get an internship I doubt where you get your degree will matter much.

Employers are starting to shift away from caring about your school.

I’m a former professor, and I sent my daughter to UNH. You won’t regret it