<p>I have no idea which of the three schools to choose. I was offered a full ride to University of Maryland as a banneker key in the honors program and would also be in the honors programs at GWU and BU. I have about $27,000 at both Boston and George Washington through tuition exchange scholarships.</p>
<p>I understand that the full ride at Maryland is really significant, but I don't want college to just be a continuation of high school (ALOT of people from my school go to UMCP). Also, I really love the energy of cities, and dislike suburbia. </p>
<p>For what its worth, I was waitlisted at both of my top schools, Brown and Columbia, but I'm not worrying too much about that since I have to have a decision made long before they would get back to me.</p>
<p>My interests are in political science/public policy/urban studies. I really want to have a fun college experience. Another one of my concerns is whether I'll be able to get into a really good grad school in four years. </p>
<p>im still a senior so i can't help you with deciding which school (although i loved GW when i visited)... but my cousin is a young lawyer who graduated from penn and hated penn bc the students never got one-on-one attention like you would in the honors program at GW (which says they cap classes at 20)... i dunno if your in the honors program but he said that schools where you get more attention like that are much better than any ivy.... btw, now hes in his late 30s and quit being a lawyer and wouldnt have to work a day in his life again so hes very brilliant.... </p>
<p>as for getting into a good grad school... its extremely impressive that you not only got into the schools you did, but how much scholarship money they gave you. also, the ivies have had all-time low acceptance rates so its awesome that u even got wait-listed at 2! if you continue to work as hard as it seems your working, you'll definitely get into any grad school you want... everyone keeps telling me that... and i know gw has amazing internship programs so you might be able to find future employers easier there... but i dont know baout the other schools... anyway sorry for writing a lot and congratulations on your acceptances they're very impressive</p>
<p>thanks so much for all the information! what your cousin said about penn is reassuring...i got into some more prestigious schools but none of them give merit based awards (i guess the merit award is supposed to be getting in) and i didn't love either of them in the same way i love brown and columbia, and so i narrowed it down to these three - the places that i could afford and that fit my interests. even if they aren't top twenty schools, i don't know that it would be worth paying $200,000 for undergraduate studies. </p>
<p>plus, at least at these schools i wouldn't have to be studying 24/7 to keep my grades up...having a social life is nice lol. are you planning on going to gwu?</p>
<p>yeah i'm deciding between gwu and american because i got a bigger scholarship at american but i'm pretty sure im gonna pick gwu... my dad needs to make pro/con lists first.... oh god...</p>
<p>i know someone who goes to gwu now and at first i thought gwu was more of a party school than an academic school because she was kinda crazy... but then i got to know her better and i know a few people who are going there next year... and its like everyone has so much fun.... but everyone is really smart and focused in schoolwork too... good luck with your decision they all sound great</p>