<p>I have done so much research, the schools are so different, and I still can't decide (although I am visiting some of these schools in person soon).</p>
<p>**If any of you have had to decide among any of these schools, could you tell me what made or broke your decision to go to the school?</p>
<p>If you currently go to one of these schools, how did you make your choice and/or how has your experience and adjustment to college life been? Academics, social life, dating scene (especially if you're a Jew like me haha. enough cute Jewish boys to scope out on campus?), class sizes, campus, classmates, anything, etc!** I'm from California and plan to be a Lit/English major, or something else in the humanities, if that helps.</p>
<p>I got great financial aid at Brandeis, and although $ is not the determining factor, I would hate to see my single mom working so hard for the next four years. She says she'll send me anywhere that makes me happy (I know, I'm very lucky!), but I would want the other 3 schools to be worth the money if I were to choose them instead. So I really hope you guys can help me out!</p>
<p>Also, I got waitlisted at Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth, which are 3 other schools I would consider. I don't necessarily need to hear about these schools, but has anyone had experience with their waitlists, or has statistics (who gets on the list, who gets into the schools from it)?</p>
<p>Any feedback would be SO appreciated! Thanks CCers!</p>
<p>I think that, if possible, you should DEFINITELY come to Boston to visit both schools and see where you could imagine yourself attending. I know that Tufts has a great April Open House program and it was very helpful when I attended. Best of luck!</p>
<p>I can't comment first-hand on any of the other schools. I go to
Brandeis, and I picked it because of the academics. The small class size and outstanding opportunities available combined with vibrant Jewish life made me go here.</p>
<p>I got into Duke and Northwestern so I actually was faced with part of your dilemna myself. I really liked both schools, but I knocked Duke out before Northwestern for three reasons.</p>
<p>1) I was definitely going to major in Econ and Northwestern is excellent in Econ.
2) Back in my day, Duke had one of the highest incidence of buglaries of any university in the nation. When I visited the campus, I saw how crime from the surrounding areas (which are quite poor and crime infested) could spill into campus. It is too bad really because Duke's campus is gorgeous and its students are gifted, friendly and spirited.
3) Although Duke itself is not conservative, the surrounding areas can be, and I tend to prefer a more balanced atmopshere. It doesn't get more tolerent and diverse than Chicago.</p>
<p>Duke would be first in terms of overall prestige or whatnot in comparison to NU. Duke has a big Jewish scene but there was some controversy regarding inviting PLO speakers - but it was mostly nonviolent protests between the Jewish community and Duke leftish leaning organizations.</p>
<p>However, focusing on English departments, Duke doesn't have a journalism school and has many creative courses but others are hard to enroll in due to high waitling lists for english classes.
Duke's also strained in its relations with the town, as alex pointed out, and not much to do within walking distance off campus.</p>
<p>I think you're really splitting hairs when you say Duke has it over Northwestern in prestige. If there's a difference there, it's tiny enough to be insignificant.</p>
<p>Duke ot Northwestern win the prestige contest hands down, with the edge given to Duke. I'd check out the admitted students days at both to decide and eliminate the other two.</p>