Accepted to Lewis and Clark, Syracuse, UCD, UCSD, Brandeis.. where should I go?!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I was accepted to Lewis and Clark, Syracuse, UC Davis, UC San Diego, and Brandeis. American and George Washington both wait listed me. I am leaning towards either Brandeis or UCSD, which is like comparing apples and Oranges. Help!</p>

<p>UCSD-
pros: good international relations program, large enough to make it what you want, accepted to the Marshall college which sounds like it has good GEs, beautiful campus, great weather, close proximity to the beach, in-state tuition, 96% freshman retention rate, cool MA/BIA program for 5 year masters, UCDC program
cons:huge lecture class sizes with smaller sections taught by PHD students, supposedly UC "socially dead", not as much diversity (95% in-state), only 40% of undergrads live on campus, only 81% of students graduate in 4 years, not as prestigious, less campus cohesiveness because it's more of a commuter school</p>

<p>Brandeis-
pros: great professors and smaller class sizes, smaller overall incoming freshman class so you get to know everyone, right outside of boston, lots of other Jewish kids, high level of prestige and lots of intellectuals and academics, very politically active, feels like there will be more networking opportunities
cons: mostly kids from the greater boston area so not the most amount of diversity, on a hill so you have to hike everywhere, nonexistent night life, no school spirit for sports</p>

<p>Syracuse- afraid the academics will be overshadowed by the party atmosphere
Lewis and Clark- too rainy, very small, and not as prestigious as I would prefer
UCD- too close to home</p>

2

<p>It really comes down to UCSD and Brandeis. Because, as you said, it’s like comparing apples to oranges, you need to decide what type of atmosphere you want, then you will have your answer. Also, what are the costs for Brandeis compared to UCSD? That might be an influencing factor as well.</p>

3

<p>The costs for both will factor out to be the same due to financial aid received for Brandeis but none for UCSD but I get in-state tuition. Thank you for your insight though!</p>

4

<p>Two great choices. I think that to live in another part of the country is very eye-opening, so for me, Brandeis would have the edge. Can’t speak for the sports, but the East Coast also has beaches. </p>

<p>According to this less than a quarter of the class is from Mass. Compare it to the map of UCSD. No comparison on geographic diversity.</p>

<p>[Where</a> Does Your Freshman Class Come From? - Facts & Figures - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/article/Where-Does-Your-Freshman-Class/129547/#id=165015]Where”>http://chronicle.com/article/Where-Does-Your-Freshman-Class/129547/#id=165015)</p>

<p>Non-existent night life? You mean in Waltham or on campus.</p>

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<p>All of the schools on your list are very different schools. What are you going to major in? I am not sure if I agree with your assessment of having to hike everywhere @Brandeis. I also do not agree with the party atmosphere comment @Syracuse.</p>

6

<p>I’m an international relations major and yes, sweeping generalizations aside, these school are incredibly different, each one specializing in something different. Also thank you for the “Where does your freshman class come from” website, very informative!</p>

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<p>Brandeis - may have no school spirit for sports but there are plenty of great sports in Boston! And there is plenty of activity on campus [Club</a> Center](<a href=“http://my.brandeis.edu/clubs/]Club”>http://my.brandeis.edu/clubs/) but you can supplement that with nightlife, museums, etc. in Boston. Waltham itself has some good restaurants but not much beyond that.</p>

8

<p>do you go to brandeis?</p>