<p>3 years ago, I was a wide eyed sophomore with aspirations of going to college. Over the years I read CC and contributed avidly, took tests, applied to college, and landed myself in my current conundrum.</p>
<p>April 1 came and went, the ivies all rejecting me in a span of 10 minutes. I was upset, but not crushed. I wasn't attached. However, the lack of acceptances from these universities left me with a (good) problem. I am deciding between 4 schools who are all fantastic, but none of which were my "top choice". Since they are all wonderful, but I am not in giddy love with any of them, I am trying to make my decision pragmatically. </p>
<p>Some information about myself:
White male from a rural Maryland community. Not particularly wealthy. Type A personality, but very laid back at the same time (does that make any sense at all?). Loves to learn and ask "why", but at the same time cannot stand intellectual pretense. Nice guy.</p>
<p>During the college admissions process, I thought I wanted to be a medical researcher or something similar. Since then I have wavered on that career plan (wondering if it would be too isolated from human interaction), and have toyed with the idea of going into more general medicine, law, or even finance. I really just do not know what I want to do with my life. I want to choose the school that will give me the best opportunity to be successful, happy, and enlightened. However, I do know that college will truly be what I make of it. </p>
<p>The choice: UVA vs. Rice vs.** Vanderbilt** vs. Notre Dame</p>
<p>The money is fairly equal, although Vanderbilt is slightly cheaper than the rest. </p>
<p>I have visited all four universities. I went to UVA and for some reason just didn't like the vibe (although I couldn't discount the academics). Rice was for me, amazing. The campus is fantastic, the people interesting, and the academics (in Medical/engineering pursuits) outstanding. However, I have heard that it is a very regional university, and Houston was pretty awful.</p>
<p>Notre Dame was very polarizing for me. On one hand, I absolutely loved the campus, vibe (football!), and traditions that it brought. I also got into the honors program. Additionally, the alumni network seems to be a huge plus. On the other hand, I am not Catholic (and it felt sorta oppressively religious), it is kinda expensive (3-5k more/yr than the rest), the weather is freeeezing, and the AP credit policy is kind of (quite) restrictive (I have 10 AP 4/5's). </p>
<p>Vanderbilt was the big enigma for me. There was not anything I really LOVED there (like the Notre Dame tradition or the Rice Residential college system), but there wasn't anything I strongly disliked (save for the greekishness, but I can deal). The only thing I heard negative was that the student body is pretty strongly apathetic to intellectual pursuits. However, I didn't really SEE any of that on my visit. Vandy is also the least expensive of any of the universities I was accepted to (even UMD, which I left off the list). </p>
<p>I know this is a ton of stuff, but I would really really appreciate some help from my friends on College Confidential. I would be more than willing to help others, but I am really confused myself.</p>