<p>Columbia has been my dream school since I was 7 (my dad went there undergrad, grad and got a PhD there so I practically grew up on campus) but Northwestern really caught my eye when I went to see it, so now I'm torn and I'd really appreciate a more vivid description of student life at each :)</p>
<p>I'm looking for a school that's not so big (like, UMich is an amazing school with its programs, but I'd never be able to go) and that's also not too small so I could still meet people I don't know each day. I don't really care about sports, but I do want some sort of school spirit. I'm also interested in journalism/international relations. I know Columbia doesn't have an IR major but if I go there I'm planning on majoring in poly sci then going to their grad school. I'd like something with a bustling city, and I also want some diversity.</p>
<p>And please no "Columbia's an Ivy League" or "Columbia has a better reputation", I'm not concerned with that, as both are amazing schools and almost equal academically.</p>
<p>Basically, now’s the time to be practical. There are a lot of good schools out there and it looks like you’ve picked out some of the qualities you like.</p>
<p>Which one will give you aid? If you don’t know that yet, which one has a cheaper sticker price? Which one is closer to home?</p>
<p>Which one (this is a big one) has the best career counselor?</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re already thinking about this, so that’s good. I really can’t help you on student life, except to tell you to check the registry of clubs and student groups that each college has, which should be on their websites.</p>
<p>ANOTHER BIG POINT: What are your political views?</p>
<p>You would be better served at this time working on your applications to both. IF you get into both, isn’t THAT the time to begin comparing apples to oranges? It seems to me that you should prioritize being accepted by both, so that you actually HAVE that wonderful choice to make.</p>
<p>^exactly, I see too many of these hypothetical situations. Have you been accepted to either OP? If not, you might be counting your eggs way too early and setting yourself up for disappointment.</p>