A bit long, but would appreciate ANY help with choices and waitlists!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! I just joined so I don’t really know how this works, but here it goes… sorry, this is kind of a multi-part thread. If you can answer/opine about ANY part, please do!</p>

<p>To make this a bit easier…</p>

<p>SCHOOLS
Accepted: Ohio State, Northeastern, Case Western, Oberlin
Waitlisted: Cornell, WashU, Pomona</p>

<p>ACADEMIC INTEREST
I’m basically undecided regarding major, though I listed myself as interested in Economics and/or Premed. I’m still figuring things out.</p>

<p>QUESTIONS

  1. I got generous offers from OSU and Northeastern, so those are really the only two I would consider at this point (admitted to honors program at both). Does anyone have any opinions on which one to go to? I am familiar with both and honestly am not terribly excited about either, though I wouldn’t mind them either. Considering they cost about the same, which one would you choose and why (i realize they’re very different)?</p>

<li><p>It’s especially hard for me to really get enthusiastic about one of the aforementioned schools when I’m on 3 waitlists, too. I would LOVE to go to Pomona, and being on the waitlist has kept alive that nagging sense of hope that hasn’t quite been fully quashed. Ugh. Anyone have tips about getting off the waitlist? Specifically, though Pomona is my first choice without a doubt, if I do not get off their waitlist and manage to get off of Cornell’s or WashU’s, I would also be happy to go to either of those schools. But if I only tell Pomona that it’s my first choice, then my chances of getting off Cornell and WashU’s waitlists are even worse. Sooo, should I lie and tell them all that they’re my first choice? Or just send a letter to Pomona?</p></li>
<li><p>What all is appropriate for the the letter?</p></li>
<li><p>Finally, if anyone knows how realistic it is to get off of the waitlist a Pomona, that would be nice to know as well.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Ahhh, soo sorry this is so long, but if anyone has any answers/opinions about ANY part of this thread, I would appreciate it VERY MUCH. Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>Don’t overlook Ohio State for pre-med, they have a pretty nice support network for pre-med’s. I am not sure why you are not “excited” about attending one of the top schools in the nation, but it does seem something to be “excited” about.</p>

<p>[Pre-Professional</a> Programs – The Ohio State University](<a href=“http://preprofessional.osu.edu/health/links.cfm]Pre-Professional”>http://preprofessional.osu.edu/health/links.cfm)</p>

3

<p>As you are undecided, I would factor that strongly in your decision. I am a Northeastern Alum. It’s best for kids that (at least directionally) know what they want. Not a great place for generalists frankly. When someone says they are thinking of majoring in economics that’s like saying ‘I have no clue what I want to do’ … which is fine but you’re better off at a generalist school. </p>

<p>Northeastern students usually toast all competition in Business Competitions and engineering students starts out making more dough than M.I.T. students. Chemistry, pharmacy are also strong. I know kids that did pre-med that went to great schools out of NU as well. I also know many kids that did co-op work at Boston area hospitals. </p>

<p>Head-to-head, OSU versus NU (given your financial packages … Columbus versus Boston is a no-brainer of a decision and academically OSU would get dusted too. </p>

<p>Case Western and Oberlin are fine schools, but (as you already noted) it’s about getting the best bang for your buck. </p>

<p>All of your reach schools are no-brainers if you get into them. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>