Sorry for all these posts…
I think I want to major in political science and double in either history or psych. I got 25k off at GWU per year, and I feel like its a much better for me (I love DC and I am a city girl)
I don’t know what to do because of the rankings - Michigan is just ranked much higher.
Any advice? All my decisions are out so now its actually between these two…
Yes, Michigan is ranked higher and it is overall a more respected university – but keep in mind that a lot of that has to do with strength of graduate programs. But if you want to be a poli sci major and you are interested in politics, what better place to be than DC? Students at other universities have to do a semester in DC to get near the opportunities available to GWU students. See what kinds of opportunities are available for your major at GW – and then compare the campus. Where do you feel more comfortable? Where do the students seem more like the type of people you want to spend time with in college? I imagine campus climate (and weather too) might be a bit different.
Two great choices for the reasons mentioned in #1. Go with your gut . . . and your wallet. Good luck!
I know the anwser… but I am scared to admit it to myself
What was it about Tulane that didn’t appeal to you? And something happened to UCD along the way. Perhaps you can provide your rationale for coming down to GWU and UMich, just so we know where your head is at.
GWU has my heart (my love for it is not that rational). It was the dream school type of thing. Michigan has the highest rankings. Tulane may still be in the mix, but I don’t feel passionate about it and it doesn’t rank as highly as Michigan. With my scholarships, Tulane, GWU, and Davis are all in the same price range. My family would love for me to go to Michigan though… (even though I would have to take on some, not much, debt…)
“Yes, Michigan is ranked higher and it is overall a more respected university – but keep in mind that a lot of that has to do with strength of graduate programs.”
The same faculty teaches undergraduate students. Michigan is the best choice here, assuming the OP can afford it.
So with Michigan it’s entirely about ranking? There is nothing particular about the school or environment that appeals to you or your parents other than prestige?
UMich will cost around $65K more than Tulane or GWU, and $100K more than UCD.
For politics, GWU is a really good place to go (if you stick with that).
Go for GWU. It is your dream school, it is cheaper (by $15,000/year) and, for what you want to study, it is not significantly weaker than Michigan. I always encourage a debt-free option. If GW were full cost, and therefore more expensive than Michigan, or if GW were not your dream school and not strong in your chosen field of study, I would probably have recommended Michigan, but when you consider that GW is your first choice, and the cheaper option and good in your major, it makes sense to go for it.
For political science, I don’t see how you can beat being in D.C.
Go with your heart!
Ranking of the school is not that important. There are plenty of students go to a lower rank school for much better merit scholarships. You should look into specific program(s) within the school, the cost, the opportunities, etc to make the decision. If you really fall in love in another school for a reason, forget about the ranking.
GWU. It is excellent for political science/politics/government… it has a great location specifically for those fields of interest… it is cheaper for you… and you claim to be a city person.