Hey everyone,
Recently, I got into both Northwestern University and UCLA and have had trouble deciding which one to attend. I want to go through the medical route and hopefully go into specialty. I’ve made a Pros and Cons list for both but still have trouble deciding which school to choose. I’m from Southern California, so it’s a big decision to make. Would I choose to go to a school about 1 hour away from home, or would I travel across the country and experience a different lifestyle?
Northwestern:
Major: Biological Sciences (Weinberg)
Pros:
-Chicago is a great city to be around and do activities in
- The prestige (It’s ranked #13 on US News vs UCLA being #23)
-Smaller university (around 2,000 freshmen attending)
-Greek Life is 40% of student life (I intend to join a fraternity)
-Overall feel of the campus (I felt like everyone was very friendly, and the overall environment felt like everyone was in this sort of mood to learn and engage in many activities that only benefits everyone)
-Evanston is a great college town (CHICAGO PIZZA)
-School pride is rising in most of its sports
-Beautiful campus, overlooking Lake Michigan
Cons:
- Winter (Chicago is infamous for having the harshest winters with its wind and amount of snowfall)
-Away from Family
-I feel like it’s harder to get a better GPA at this school for its academic rigor
-Not being able to have a car
-Tuition (I believe the total costs estimate around 70K)
UCLA
Major: Pre-Human Biology & Society (College of Letters and Science)
Pros:
-Great Sports and Pride
- Proximity to Home
-Tuition (~20K for in-state)
-Ability to have a car (I’m pretty sure I could get a parking permit, but heard it can be brutal to get one)
-Campus (it’s very clean and is in the better area of LA)
-Weather (you cannot beat Southern California weather. Period.)
-Beaches
-Less Academic Rigor?
Cons:
- Student Body Size (I wouldn’t feel satisfied with coming to some classes that have over 100 people)
-It can be very competitive when it comes to picking classes.
-I heard of hazing with the Greek System (At Northwestern, a student told me the school takes severe actions against hazing and says it’s not very common)
It’s difficult because I feel like I would enjoy a different school in a different state and mature more as I would be put into more situations to handle things by myself. Honestly, if I had to choose between UCLA and USC, I would’ve picked USC instantly. I just feel like I had a better fit there, but my dad kind of implied to not go, even though I got in there. My dad suggested to me that I go to UCLA (which I feel is somewhat biased because everyone in my family apparently worships UCLA) and save a lot more money for "the same education’, even though he assured me he could afford Northwestern. He also thinks that I would get a higher GPA there and therefore a better chance to get into med school. He says he respects my decision wherever I go but said he would provide me a car if I went to UCLA (bribe maybe?). A car there would be a huge plus. It’s hard to leave California because I feel like I would have some regrets. I don’t know. I really am stuck because I would feel geared towards Northwestern because it’s a different lifestyle, but I feel like I don’t go all out and leave so many things behind without being reassured with some sort of security. I wouldn’t doubt UCLA would be nice, but maybe I don’t want to go there because I’m somewhat biased towards USC. Not to mention, the pricetag for Northwestern seems kind of high, especially in comparison to UCLA. My parents could afford Northwestern with sacrifices here and there, but at the same time I understand why they would want me to go to UCLA. I could easily set aside a savings account in preparation for medical school. I just feel like I’m stuck between two great options. I have a “good problem” as many would say. I just need a little more guidance.
Any feedback would be appreciated
Thanks