<p>With the my time comming to a close on my college decision, I need help. I am only asking through this thread because 1. I'm despreate to figure this out and 2. I have fought this over in my head for hours and cannot come to a conclusion. I like in a northern suburb of chicago, auctually where northwestern is located, and I want to stay close to home. I got in to u of I engineering and northwestern liberal arts. My problem is that I'm not exactly sure if I want to be an engineer, if I did, I would go straight to illinois. However, if I go to illinois and decide engineering isn't for me, then my liberal arts education would be much less than what I would receive at nu. At the same time, a scholarship would make u of I 10,000 a year compared to the 40,000 at northwestern. It is also important for me to keep in mind that the northwestern brand is much better than that of u of I. Any thoughts/ suggestions?</p>
<p>these schools are both ones that I’m considering for the college process as well. </p>
<p>If money isnt a gaping issue, then go to where you want the most which seems to be northwestern. You don’t really have a con for NU besides the money, and how I figure this to be is, well, you only attend college once. Would you want to settle for less? </p>
<p>But maybe U of I isn’t less. U of I is DEFINITELY amazing for engineering-- actually at the top of all the lists. Consider all the things you said though. The fallback element may be good, because 30-40% of students change their itnerests some time or the other. </p>
<p>I’d go to northwestern if i were you.</p>
<p>I’d go to UI(UC?) in your case.</p>
<p>Not only is it 30k cheaper per year, they are ranked #5 for engineering in the United States by US News, and are considered a top engineering school. </p>
<p>Prestige wise, UIUC is much better if you are pursuing a degree in engineering. Otherwise NW is going to be better if you want to do LA.</p>
<p>If money really is no issue for you and you have big doubts about engineering, then NW might be a better pick, especially if you like the school/campus more.</p>