Cant choose between two pretty different schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Im a transfer who has narrowed down my schools to two</p>

<p>Pitt: Total cost is $27,000 Received 5500 in federal loans</p>

<p>American University: Total cost is 52,000 but received a 20,000 scholarship Received 5500 in federal loans</p>

<p>Im torn between the two. I am a political science major but have not had any internships in my field. AU is in DC which could give me loads of helpful experience and boost my resume for law school admissions. Also being around such politically active student body at AU will be amazing. I keep hearing that Pitt is politically apathetic.</p>

<p>On the other hand... Pitt has bigger school spirit, will be a bit cheeper, and is more well known.</p>

<p>What would you do?</p>

2

<p>Go with Pitt. You’ll want that money for law school so you can pay for a higher-tier law school instead of settling for one where you get a partial ride. </p>

3

<p>I don’t consider Pitt particularly more well known so I wouldn’t put that in the equation. I don’t know much about it so I don’t mean to give it short shrift. I like the opportunity for internship which is very important to networking and job hunting. I’d go American, it seems to excite you more if you family can handle 32k vs 27k.</p>

4

<p>If you have the money, DC is exciting, but very different feeling than Pitt.</p>

5

<p>Have you visited both schools and sit on classes, see dorms, etc.? Do you have a preference re: atmosphere and feel of the school?</p>

<p>I would probably lean American if your family can handle the extra $5,000 cost. Will that cost be absorbed into extra debt, or paid out of pocket? Could you contribute via work earnings?</p>

6

<p>Law school admissions turn on GPA and LSAT score. Internships won’t be a meaningful factor, so take that out of the equation. (Of course internships have value in and of themselves, but aren’t a law school admissions concern.)</p>

7

<p>Thanks everyone for your help everyone i really appreciate everyone who gives an input!</p>

8

<p>I’d say the schools are equally well known. It really should hinge on 1) what your family can comfortably afford and 2) your preference.</p>

9

<p>anyone else? Is Pitt a higher regarded school in anyone’s opinion or do I only think of it that way because I currently live in PA?</p>

10

<p>I live in MD and think Pitt is more highly regarded than American. I’m in the college business, and I generally don’t associate rigor with American at the undergrad level. </p>

11

<p>@jkeil911 thanks for the info, I was nervous about that…</p>

12

<p>If you don’t go to law school, I would say American does have an advantage in poli sci because of the internship opportunities. But if you are pretty set on law school, go to PItt.</p>

13

<p>I’m in the midwest and I would say Pitt has a reputation here while American doesn’t. And people who have attended Pitt or have their kids there say it is a great school.</p>

<p>I think sometimes people overstate the importance of living in the city where you might do an internship while you are a student. Yes, if you plan to do one during the school year, it makes sense to be in the same place. But there is nothing stopping a Pitt student from applying for summer internships in DC or elsewhere.</p>

14

<p>If i want to work in DC/maryland/NYC or maybe LA afterwards is Pitt really seen as that much better than AU? I dont plan to ever work in PA. </p>

15

<p>Pitt is a better school than AU for just about all undergrad majors, especially in STEM and the humanities. Where the intern goes to school doesn’t matter that much to employers. In LA they might want someone from Pitt because they haven’t had one from there. So too for AU. It is not worthwhile choosing a school based on where you might get internships. Get the best education you can afford and then worry about internships and jobs after your sophomore year.</p>

16

<p>@jkeil911 im transferring as a junior so i figured id need the resume padding asap</p>

17

<p>Any1 else</p>

18

<p>I’d differ with some opinions above re Pitt/AU academically in that American is very well-known in the field you’re interested in, ie., political science (international relations, etc). If you were to major in a STEM field, there’d be no contest but for poli-sci it really depends.
Both schools are really different in vibe.
Would the $5,000/year be debt or would your family pay for it out of pocket? That’s a key question.
Another factor is whether you’re set on law school: the “Wednesday internship day” at AU will be pointless for law school but really important for jobs. However it’s not like you won’t have internships at Pitt.
As Warriordaughter said above, have you visited and sat in on classes, talked with students, etc?</p>

19

<p>The difference in the internship situation at AU is that AU students can have internships during the school year, not just in the summer. So it isn’t just an issue of both schools being equivalent in that arena. Plus, a political science/government major really isn’t going to be looking for internships in LA… they will most likely be looking in DC. </p>