Help! Limited Time to Decide

College Search & Selection
1

I have applied to over twenty universities. I had to eliminate IU Kelley, UW Madison, Miami University, etc. for financial reasons. I need to commit by Tuesday and have narrowed it down to two that I really do love: Saint Louis University or University of Illinois.
For SLU, the students really do fit my personality. It is Catholic and they really carry out the Jesuit mission of the school, really into social justice, volunteering, and doing community service. I love the SLU Madrid campus (Spanish being one of my double majors). I have the opportunity to play a sport here (still deciding on that). If I were to go to a school based on location, this would be it as well. I am definitely a city person. I was here for a scholarship weekend and stayed overnight on campus and I navigated the campus well. I thought at first the medium sized school (15,000) would be perfect. But after a weekend I felt like it was too small.
For UIUC, the academic reputation of the school, the size, and the work hard play hard persona is what really strikes me about this university. I would be so proud of myself if I did very well in my classes at this school. I love the diversity and I like the way that I feel when I am on this campus. I really like the facilities here better as well. It is a world class university with some of the best programs in the world. I feel like I would regret not coming here. I would be more employable and it is a more impressive alma mater (I think?) I do not want to go to a school that is not well known and people say, “Where is that?” I know this is not the case for U of I, I do not think it is the same for SLU either…would you?

Both schools have a plethora of extra curriculars. SLU’s activities are very Catholic and service oriented which is who I am. At U of I, I would be doing intellectually stimulating, interesting clubs and activities that are brand new to me and “international.” I do not think that U of I Greek life is for me, but I really like the Greek life at SLU.

I just need some insight. I will do very well at either schools. I literally cannot decide.
What is your take on either school?

2

Do you mean UIUC?
What major?
Are costs equivalent at both?
Did you get into Honors at either one?

3

It sounds to me like UIUC would be a better fit for you but that you would be successful at both.

4

Yes University of Illinois. As of right now a double major in Spanish and communication on the prelaw track but will most likely change the comm. degree. Considering a minor in psychology. Costs are very close to being the same which makes it so much more difficult. I do not want to live in the honors learning community though. At UIUC, I want to do a either the Spanish or global studies learning community. At SLU I would be living on the “Micah” floor which is all about service.

5

Email UIUC to ask whether you could be in Spanish house as an honors freshman intent on majoring in Spanish and global studies. It’ll make a big difference for you especially in humanities and social sciences to be able to take honors seminars.
Otherwise it sounds like SLU would be a better fit (Micah, campus in Madrid).