Dear random people of this forum, please help me decide on a University

College Search & Selection
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<p>After being rejected by my top three choices (Boston College, New York University and UCLA/Yes I know they aren't that high), I now have to decide between UC Irvine, George Washington University, Fordham University (I was granted $15k worth of financial aid although I didn't ask for it) and Boston University.</p>

<p>My intended major is relatively undecided, although I do wish to take either Pol Sci or Economics. Academics aside, where do you guys think it would be a good idea to go university? Judging of course on the administration, campus life, city choice, living spaces and other factors that are important.</p>

<p>I've been to Orange County more than a few times but never really taken the time to look around UC Irvine. I've never been to NYC longer than a week and I've never been to DC.</p>

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<h1>1 Boston University - Boston is such a fun town. BU is growing growing in reputation and the kids are so friendly.</h1>

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<p>Retitle your thread, listing the schools, and people will answer.</p>

4

<p>Do you have time to visit any of these? Will any of them be less expensive for you? Do you remember your reasons for applying in the first place?</p>

5

<p>Pick the school w/ the “best fit” for you … and the strongest all-around department in major/studies of interest/career</p>

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<p>I know you said “academics aside” but I can’t let that drop. If you are interested in Poli Sci I think your best best would be to go to GWU. Step-D and I toured there last summer and were very impressed with their political science program. They are located a few blocks from the WH and they have had (for years running now) a dedicated internship in the White House available to GW students! Very wow!</p>

7

<p>First, I am a Fordham fanatic, so put that out there. Second, I presume you applied to Fordham College at Rose Hill, the main campus in the Bronx, right? Third, its a FABULOUS JESUIT COLLEGE with amazing internships. Its a gorgeous gothic campus adjacent to the world famous Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo. Its gated, safe, clean and LOTS OF FUN. </p>

<p>Its two educations for the price of one: a truly outstanding top Jesuit education and a city street wise new york education. New York is my campus, Fordham is my school! is the motto.</p>

<p>My kid graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Fordham and is in graduate school now and had NUMEROUS prestigious offers…including Columbia and NYU for graduate school.</p>

<p>GWU and BU are sort of mirror image schools…GW in DC and BU in Boston…both sort of urban schools…if that is your fancy.</p>

<p>Fordham offers a traditional campus (Rose Hill) and a mini NYU type campus (Lincoln Center), where you can take courses at BOTH campuses if you choose, after Freshman year. Free transportation on the RamVan. </p>

<p>The Bronx is gritty and reality…but its also a very special place and Little Italy on Arthur Ave is two blocks from Fordham and offers AMAZING food…over 30 restaurants. </p>

<p>Fordham offers Division I sports (Patriot League in football…Vince Lombardi went to Fordham; A10 in basketball and all other sports. Fordham’s John Skelton plays in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and started 6 games last year!) </p>

<p>Its Jesuit…that is something very, very special. </p>

<p>Fordham’s political science department is very very strong…with faculty appearing on television frequently as guest commentators. Fordham has AMAZING internships in television in Manhattan, btw…and often Poli Science majors get them! FoxNews LOVES Fordham graduates. As does ABC AND NBC.</p>

<p>Fordham graduates routinely win Fulbright awards, Cambridge scholarships, Boren Scholarships etc. They also are VERY well placed in medical schools, law schools and graduate schools, including the Ivy League. I know kids who got into Harvard and Yale for graduate and law schools. </p>

<p>Its in the top tier of Jesuit colleges in the United States. </p>

<p>Fordham students are very tight. And the Fordham community is like a family. I mean that! And Fordham faculty are warm, endearing, supportive and provide great mentorships and recommendations! BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT! (including two Deans!) </p>

<p>Congratulations! And if they offered you money, it means they WANT YOU! Welcome to Fordham!</p>

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<p>Any financial aid from any of the schools and what can you afford?</p>

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<p>In general, GW and BU are quite comparable places–fairly large, very urban universities in good cities to be a student. Despite both being very urban, they are both in reasonably safe areas. If you want to study political science, GW is clearly the better choice. While not a top ten department, the political science department at GW is an up and comer. It, in fact, is a stronger department than Georgetown’s, which is somewhat on the downswing (note: I said political science; Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service is clearly better than GW’s Elliot School of International Affairs). For most other areas of studies, GW and BU are pretty close. I might give BU a small edge in the sciences. Boston and DC are both great student cities–pretty much a toss up unless you are a big museum goer. Both have great museums but most of DC’s are free.</p>

<p>Fordham is a good school as well, but it has a very different feel from GW and BU. First of all, it is a Catholic school with everything that entails, which may or may not be right for you. Second, although it has a nice campus, it campus is somewhat reminicent of a fortress. It is adjacent to some not very nice neighborhoods in the Bronx. The Bronx is technically in New York City but it is no Greenwich Village. I sure that the campus itself is safe enough, but you are not going to be strolling arounds the neighborhood like you would at GW or BU (or NYU for that matter).</p>

<p>Personally, I would choose any of the first three over UC Irvine unless the cost difference is very significant. While the weather would be better for sure, Irvine itself is like a big suburb, with the mall being the big thing. And the university campus is pretty non-descript. Unlike UC Berkeley or UCLA (which have pretty nice campuses), UC Irvine looks like a collection of modern buildings similar to most any average public university (or office park). Not my cup of tea. And the overwhelming majority of students will be Californians who didn’t get into UCB or UCLA.</p>

<p>Just my $.02 worth.</p>

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<p>Forget UC Irvine- unless it is the best financially by a significant amount.<br>
Just on gut- I’d say either Fordham or GW- both good. Flip a coin between the two- if after the first toss you want to go two out of three- you have your answer.</p>

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<p>BU-Good in sciences but limited campus/campus feel. I hated it. Boston’s an okay city but I’d pick something further south/west for nicer environment.
Irvine-too much of a commuter school, also loses a LOT of the best applicants/acceptees to UCLA/UCB
Fordham-A good school with a good reputation and money involved, this is up there with me in your case.
GW-My personal favorite pick. Great campus/location, most internships of any university in the country, good reputation and professors, nicest weather besides Irvine, for me this is the no brainer top pick, but Fordham is a not-too-distant 2nd.</p>

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<p>One other thing. You would need a car at Irvine. You neither need nor want a car at GW, BU or Fordham.</p>