<p>I've been accepted to the following schools: </p>
<p>UNC CH
UW Madison
Northwestern
U. of Southern California</p>
<p>As of now Northwestern is my top choice but because of financial concerns (haven't gotten FinAid from ANY of them yet) I might not be able to attend. </p>
<p>I want to major in International Relations. </p>
<p>I like cities but being near a city is also ok. At the same time I'd like the college campus feel. </p>
<p>I don't like hard partying but I don't study a great deal of the time either. I'm not rich and can't dress like I'm rich and I'd prefer not to feel like an outcast. I don't think I'll be getting into greek life. </p>
<p>Not interested in sports though watching sports is ok. </p>
<p>Help, anyone? Alexandre, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on this one. I want to thank you for encouraging me to apply to NU and UNC in the first place. Excellent advice :)</p>
<p>UNC is about half the price of NU. Is that still too expensive? I believe NU just starting giving aid to internations and USC can be generous to international students. So let us hope those two can offer you something. Lily, were you the equestrian queen? And the schools you applied (with the exception of Wisconsin) to are strong in Journalism, not IR...are you sure you did initally say you were interested in Journalism?</p>
<p>I work at U of Wisconsin, I went to graduate school at Chapel Hill, and my son goes to USC. So here's my recommendation: go to the school that gives you the best financial aid. Each of these schools is a great place to get an undergraduate education; each school has their particular strengths; each school is highly regarded. Do not pay attention to commenters who say go to one or the other school because their IR program is rated x while the others are rated y. All of these schools are very large and will provide you with more opportunities, academic and social, then you will probably be able to take advantage of.</p>
<p>There is no wrong decision here. If financial aid isn't ultimately that important make a decision say on the weather. NU and UW have very cold and long winters; Chapel Hills winters are short and moderately cold; and well, LA is LA. Or, decide on urban location, NU, USC vs. location in a small city/large town, UW/UNC. Everything else being equal it may come down to these considerations. </p>
<p>Whatever you decide good luck, and congratulations on being accepted at great colleges.</p>
<p>Alexandre, no, I was not EQ, and I am not international though I did go to HS outside the country. Yes, I was intially interested in journalism and would still consider a minor in journalism but I have decided on IR as my major. UNC and UW are still slightly out of my ballpark finance-wise but as long as I get a few thousand in aid I should be find. NU and USC on the other hand will be tough. </p>
<p>Thank you both for your comments. I think finaid will end up making the decision between private and public but I have no way to decide between UW and UNC at this point.</p>
<p>Between UNC and Wisconsin I would recommend...both! LOL Lily, you have a bunch of awesome schools to chose from. I hope you get aid from all 4 schools and that you go with your heart. All the best to you and keep us posted. </p>
<p>If you get a chance, visit the campuses. They are all radically different. If I had to pick based on preference, I would go with the following:</p>
<h1>1 Northwestern</h1>
<h1>2 UNC (even if those SOBs rejected my sorry behind...yeah, I am bitter!)and Wisconsin</h1>