<p>My top two schools currently are University of Southern Indiana and Indiana University Bloomington. I'm really torn between these two because I felt more comfortable at USI, but I preferred IU's academic programs.</p>
<p>When I visited USI, I could definitely see myself attending. They don't offer my first choice major (Music Business), but they do offer my second and third choices, both of which I would be okay with. Their average SAT is 1462 (mine is 1950) and their average GPA is 3.02 (mine is 3.99), so I could easily get into a better school academically. My friend who is a student at USI loves it, even though it wasn't her first choice when she was choosing a college. The tuition is also a pro at only $6325, and I've been offered $4000 in scholarships. </p>
<p>IU has all three of my major choices and after looking into their Arts Management program, I think that might be a good fit for me. Their Arts Management program is one of the few I've found that don't require an audition of some sort; since I'm not advanced enough on any instrument, no required audition is a must. Their average SAT and GPA is a lot closer to mine as well. Though their academics are superior, I didn't feel as comfortable on campus as I did at USI. I couldn't really see myself living there. I attend a small high school, so the size of IU is very daunting to me and I don't know if I could handle such an extensive campus. </p>
<p>So, should I choose the school where I felt the most comfortable, or the one with the better academic programs? </p>
<p>Is there a reason that the universe of possibilities is 2?</p>
<p>Being a big fish in a small pond can be comfortable at first, but I’m not sure it would endure. </p>
<p>I know nothing about your interests or the particular schools, but it sounds as though you’re giving in to the ease of limited choices and assured acceptance. Stick your neck out a bit – if not now as a young person, then when?</p>
<p>I think you would probably adapt to IU just fine. But, as a strong student at USI you would probably be well poised to take advantage of much if what the school has to offer. As a parent, my general thought is that you are heading off to college primarily for academic reasons but that personal fit is also important for success. I’d encourage you to take a good look at IU and see if there are smaller programs within that might give you more of a small school experience. For example , do they have an honors college?</p>
<p>One of my kids will probably face a similar quandary. You have to take your inputs and come up with the best possible decision based on the info you had at that time.</p>
<p>Choose the school you like best and look at their honors college. This would give you the best of both worlds - you get the school you like, plus the honors college will keep you academically challenged.</p>
<p>Also, look at other schools that offer your majors of interest. Give yourself some choices and apply to a few schools so that you have real choices in the Spring.
Apply to the Honors College at both universities in any case and make your choice after you’ve been admitted to both AND received your FA package + compared “honors college perks”.</p>
<p>You don’t have to make a final decision now, just the decision of where to apply. Sounds like you have a good start with the two places you mentioned. You might try to find one or two more schools to apply to that have some kind of academics that might suit you.</p>
<p>Revisiting colleges later in the process, staying overnight, attending classes, meeting professors, looking over the final academic/financial aid awards, these future things will help you make your final decision. Networking to find a student or two at each place that can sit with you and give you honest feedback about the reality of daily life on campus can be influential on your decision also. Beware of all the “friendly” staff that are paid to be nice to you when you visit. You want to get past that initial “airbrushed” campus and check out the reality. Read campus newspapers, look at bulletin boards to see what is posted, eat in off campus restaurants and ask waitress and staff what they think about the XYZ college.</p>
<p>My daughter chose to attend a “big fish in little pond” school that gave her more merit aid for her stats and record. It has given her opportunities within her major to get her hands dirty working in labs from her very first semester on campus. She is doing actual research work as a sophomore. And she’s on track to get the highest level student employee position in her major her senior year. Much harder to find these opportunities on a huge campus.</p>
<p>If you can make connections and find adults working in the kind of job you envision for your future, they can give great advice on the best type of education and experience you will need to be successful in that job market.</p>
<p>You can make yourself successful on any campus, and the huge campus may have better facilities, better networking for internships, co ops, etc. Life is what you make of it.</p>
<p>Also consider if your future job market is a hard one to break into. Sometimes it helps to have co-op or internship experience that will lead to full time employment after you get your degree. Again, this is where networking with adults working in your chosen field can give you realistic information.</p>
<p>Some smaller schools don’t offer co-ops, and internships are mostly gotten on your own. If you discover that co-op experience is important, then you can look for colleges that are strong in that area.</p>
<p>^Kelley is one of the top business schools in the country. Most major companies recruit there or know of it. If you have a chance to go there and at in-state rates, think about it seriously!</p>