I’m currently undecided about my major, but I’m interested in econ/public policy. Specifically, I’m interested in getting a job straight out of undergrad without having to go to grad school. Brown’s financial aid package was pretty bad; it’d be at the very upper limit of what my family could pay and I might have to take out some loans, whereas Columbia is quite affordable. Pomona is also quite expensive, although not as expensive as Brown. I will appeal financial aid, but am currently assuming that the price of these three schools will not change.
I love Brown and Pomona’s more laid-back atmosphere, and dislike Columbia’s lack of community and high-stress atmosphere. Columbia’s location in New York is a major plus for me, and I’m worried about Pomona’s strong focus on getting kids into graduate school. Although I’d prefer a more open curriculum, the Columbia Core is not a major drawback for me; I enjoy reading and learning about a wide variety of subjects.
Could anyone give insight into which school would be the best option?
