About a month ago I submitted my deposit for CU Boulder. I had a close family friend who ensured I would love the school, and out of all the schools I applied to, I kept going to the Boulder website to learn more about the school, even though it was my safety. I eventually committed before hearing back from other schools after talking my options over with my family. I chose CU based on the fact that their psychology department is fantastic, I love the outdoors/ live a healthy lifestyle, am interested in research, was accepted into their honors program, the school had a great alumni network, and it will be the cheapest out of state school (received scholarship money and will save about 100K over 4 years), but last week when I visited I didn’t absolutely fall in love with the school (the tour wasn’t that engaging) although the campus was beautiful and the psychology neuroscience building seemed great when I explored it. I am also concerned with the reputation the school holds for its party scene/ hippy town. My distant family and friends are shocked that I have chosen CU as compared to the more academically prestigious schools (although my immediate family reminds me that prestige is not what it used to be for undergraduate degrees). At this point though, I am even wondering why I worked so hard to chose a school not well known for its academics… After receiving acceptances to Wake Forest and Northeastern I’m having second thoughts. I fell in love with Wake Forest when I visited for the relationships professors build with their students, the campus feel, the friendliness, and the importance the school places on volunteering, but I didn’t like Winston Salem at all. After doing some research, I also became concerned with the intense Greek Life and drinking scene/ preppy stereotype of the campus (I am from the south and trying to escape that). I was admitted to the NU In Program for Northeastern meaning my first semester of freshman year would be spent studying abroad which has its pros and cons. I haven’t visited the school, but have read great things this far. As far as future plans, I’m not sure if I will pursue grad school, but at the moment I am interested in occupational therapy. If anyone has any pros/ cons to add to my lists for any of the schools or feels that somewhere in my rambling that one school sounds like the best fit and would tell me, I’d really appreciate it!
I am an in-state student currently set to attend CU this fall. Obviously, my opinion is bias, but I think that CU is an excellent choice. As far as public universities go, CU is a very good school. It is also an excellent place to enjoy the outdoors. In my experience so far, many of the students share the outdoorsie, healthy life style or mentality. As far as partying goes, yes. It is a party school, however there is a lot to do in Boulder and on campus other than party. In fact, there is even a dorm/community dedicated to students who would like to live a substance free lifestyle. And if you are in Smith, which I assume you are because of the honors program, from what I’ve heard, the Kittredge Community is much more chill and more academically focused than the main campus community. As far as Boulder goes, it is VERY liberal and something you would most likely have to adjust to, being from the south. SKO BUFFS!!!