<p>Hey guys! I'm new to being a member, but I've been ghosting here for a while. I just want to ask for your opinion on how I should rank these three schools on my board of interest.</p>
<p>A little about myself: I'm a Korean born in America so I act pretty similar to my Caucasian friends. I dress in a preppy manner and I like to play football and basketball recreationally. I also enjoy playing guitar. While there have been nights in high school where I've stayed up all night, I'm not too interested in wasting my college years away studying or composing essays. I would like to mature socially and am interested in a supportive, outgoing student body. A good friend of mine has already been admitted to Northwestern and I may room with him if I attend. I'm interested in majoring in either Poli-Sci or Economics. I don't drink/smoke/abuse, but I may learn to casually drink over the summer so I fit in better (probably not). Finally, name recognition is pretty important to me (my sister went to Harvard and several relatives went to UPenn/Duke) because of the opportunities I see that it affords in acquiring a job/going to graduate school.</p>
<p>I visited all three schools - these are my impressions:</p>
<p>Northwestern: Liked the student center alot...am a fan of football/basketball so I'd love to cheer on the wildcats and go to a school where the teams don't suck...went on a great sunny day, but am afraid of the cold (I really want to be warm as much as I can be so the "Windy City" thing is pretty off putting)...the students seemed to be relaxing quite a bit and playing frisbee or just hanging out (which is great)...my tour guide was able to quite a bit with his free time which I'd also like to do.</p>
<p>Williams: The campus is not as nice as either Midwestern school...I felt like the layout was a bit fragmented and didn't quite form clear boundaries for where the school ends and where the town begins (didn't like that)...loved the idea of tutorials and extra help (which I will make use of lol)...everyone seemed to love the tour guide which made me feel like the community was like a family (or maybe because he was such a great guy)...the location is awful, there's nothing to do for miles (how often do people go to boston/cambridge?)...the dorm rooms seemed really small...the student population looked white/athletic/preppy (does a clumsy asian with asthma fit in if he's not a varsity letter athlete?)...loved the sense of humor and quirkyness I felt (even in the acceptance folder!).</p>
<p>Chicago: Awe-inspiring the nobel laureate numbers...my dad went there for 2 years and is very proud of his school, he would love to see me go there...I very much liked the gothic vine look...there was a cute koi pond that made me smile...the tour guide (and those I asked) had only one extracurricular activity (is this because of lack of time or great involvement?)...the entire place had a very dark and serious tone about it...I'm not sure if that's me (I'm very peppy and energetic)...the people dressed in a emo/punk way (which usually says something about the person dressing that way...but I don't want to stereotype)...the name recognition is very strong...I believe that if I survive I will mature greatly, but I'm afraid of the expense (happiness, ease of mind, social life, social growth?) - I realize that I'm not someone who wants to miss out on the good social moments in life outside of classrooms and books.</p>
<p>THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING ALL THIS AND REPLYING!</p>
<p>If you are really in to the name recognition thing and are interested in economics, I don’t think you can get much better than U of Chicago. But, like I’ve heard said before, “that’s where fun goes to die.” (I didn’t say this, another CCer did). If it were my choice, I’d pick Northwestern, enjoy my years in college, get name recognition, and a great education all at the same time.</p>
<p>None of those places is gonna be at all warm come February, and obviously U Chicago is going to be almost identical to NU (ok, NU will get worse wind).</p>
<p>I say go U… NU! If for no other reason than NU has big time, succesful sports, Williams is in the NESCAC, and well, U Chicago built a library over their football field.</p>
<p>Northwestern seems to be the best fit by far. The other two are highly work intensive while I get the impression that NU is a little more balanced. All 3 schools you picked are going to be brutally cold so yeah, you’re out of luck there.</p>
<p>Name recognition: Among the general public, everyone will generally have heard of NU and UChicago but I think you’re going to get the same name recognition for Williams. However, those who matter know that Williams is an outstanding school.</p>
<p>All 3 are great for economics, not sure about poly sci. UChicago is hands down the best econ department out of the 3 but the other 2 are also excellent. There are going to be some differences between a LAC’s econ department and the econ departments at UC and NU. </p>
<p>But yeah, seems like NU is the best fit for you, probably followed by Williams and then UC.</p>
<p>Hi! I faced similar choices when deciding where to go to college, so I thought I could offer my two cents!</p>
<p>U of C is, reportedly, where fun goes to die. I have a very close high school friend there, struggling to deal with the lack of a social life on campus. He enjoys his classes, his professors, every academic aspect, but finds the single-mindedness of much of the student population irritating and frustrating.</p>
<p>I visited Williams and expressed sincere interest in attending. For me, however, the location was terrible. It was inaccessible by travel (or so it seemed, sandwiched between mountains), and it was in a tiny town even less varied than Amherst.</p>
<p>I, of course, would suggest you come to Northwestern. We offer great academics, strong athletic programs and, overall, a fun-filled four years, while still graduating prepared to face the real world.</p>
<p>Of course, by posting on the NU board, you’re likely to get students encouraging you to come here. It’s a good fit for a wide variety of people, and I think you’d be particularly pleased.</p>
<p>In this situation my son chose Williams. He thought it was the most beautiful and enjoys the town and campus relationship. </p>
<p>Clearly, this is an individual choice.</p>
<p>For him, the tutorials are a wonderful opportunity as it the close relationships made with professors. He also enjoys the mountains and the natural scenery.</p>
<p>I personally wouldn’t choose Williams…I know many people in economics at Chicago who love it, and they are far from the “where fun goes to die” stereotype. You cannot believe that every single student at the school would fall into that category…I’m sure you could find plenty of fun people to hang out party with AND have good conversation with as well. I’d take a closer look at what each school has to offer academically/name recognition. You don’t want to regret not going to UChicago because you didn’t think you’d party enough…a few years down the road and you may be stuck in a job you could have avoided had you gone to the better school for what you are interested in…</p>
<p>Maybe you could try talking to some current students at NW and UC (maybe there’s a forum or contact info on their websites, or even facebook) to see what’s really up with the social scene at each…</p>
<p>But you seem to be answering your own question about where YOU fit in best. You’ve got three great schools to consider, but for someone who likes to play and watch basketball/football, is “peppy and energetic,” and academically looking for strong econ/poli sci departments Northwestern and Williams are clearly the best choices. If you didn’t like Williams’ campus and isolation, the choice seems clear. Reputation-wise it’s a wash. Go where you feel you’d be happiest and fit in best.</p>
<p>After reading the original post, I think that “brokenairguitar” should not waste any money on college and go perform at some “straight clubs” in Chelsea with his “preppy clothes, energetic guitar and recreational football.” Also I would like to add that you can definitely go to Williams just get a fort lee jacket with the Band’s FL varsity letter =)))))!!!</p>