Help me pick a college! Luther, NIU, McGill, SUA

College Search & Selection
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Hi! Here are the colleges I’ve been accepted to. “Per year” is the cost of tuition, room & board, books etc after the scholarship.

Luther College, 30k scholarship, 26k per year
*pros: can afford, familiar with campus and staff, small size, cool internships in DC for poli sci
*cons: town is pretty isolated, not as academically prestigious

Northern Illinois University (NIU) honors, 5k scholarship, 24k per year
*pros: can afford, near home
*cons: don’t like the town, large classes, not very prestigious, alum network is like $60 per year

McGill University, no scholarship, 35k per year
*pros: good academic reputation, nice location, drinking age is 18 in Quebec
*cons: a little expensive (but not out of the question if I get other scholarships), big classes, have to deal with study visa and canadian covid measures and stuff

Soka University of America, 10k scholarship, 36k per year (I would ask for more money if I went)
*pros: small classes, gorgeous campus, nice locations (socal near water), would be near friends at UCI
*cons: maybe too small? some sketchy stuff with SGI idk if it’s still happening, only one degree offered (w different concentrations)

Was also accepted to Tulane honors with 22k scholarship but it’s way too expensive (55k?!)

I don’t know what I want to study (just not STEM) so I didn’t include the programs I’m accepted to. For reference I’m not a big partier and like small classes, but I do want some social options on campus. Any insight would be helpful!

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I would just say that even though you describe Luther and NIU as lacking in prestige, they are both well known in the midwest. Congrats on having a good set of choices, even though they are all pretty different (eg, Luther vs McGill).

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Definitely avoid Soka.

McGill if you are a really top student and willing to work very hard, but it would provide little support compared to Luther.

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ty! I know it’s a little tricky to quantify how hard a school is but is McGill a lot harder than similarly ranked American schools like UMich? I heard there’s less grade inflation so it’s harder to do well by American standards. I’m 4.85 gpa, 34 act but idrk where that stacks up w other students at McGill

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Probably like UMich with more grad deflation. What goals after college do you have?

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You would probably be top 10-20% of students at McGill.

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I’m considering grad school, probably a masters, but idrk what field i want to end up in. I just want financial stability and a job I don’t totally hate lol

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McGill (if you manage to get other scholarships), if not then Luther based on your positive view of it (from your pros/cons). You didn’t have much good to say about NIU.

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You would get more support at Luther. More rigor/challenge at McGill. That can be an advantage or disadvantage.

Major matters more than school in terms of earnings.

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ty all! thinking mcgill now, but I’ll reply again when I commit :slight_smile:

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Where will you get other scholarships NOW for all four years of McGill?

I would say no to SOKA too.

NIU or Luther sound like your realistic options.

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McGill would be like UMich in rigor, but without the support (review sessions, readily available tutoring) and with an expectation you can handle things on your own or with classmates when faced with a problem. It’s fast-paced, independent, intense – you don’t really know if you’re doing well for a few weeks, so you may think you’re doing okay and aren’t, and by the time you figure it out it’s almost too late. Grade deflation means a 2.7-3.0 GPA is considered good.

Luther is your other solid choice. Totally different from McGill. It’s pretty intense because you’re in small classes, work is assigned for each class and the professors know if you’ve done your work (discussion and participation are fully part of your grade, you have something to turn in every other week), basically they keep you on your toes. The pace is less fast than at McGill - you may have 150-200 pages a week, cut into chunks and processed through 3 discussions, v. MCgill’s 250 pages you have to figure out on your own or through a study group you yourself started.

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Would be one time scholarships. I’ve already applied for several but am waiting to hear whether I got them or not

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@h4rvey

One time scholarships will help you…one year only. What is your plan for years 2, 3, and 4 at McGill if you can fund only year one?

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Can i please know why you said that about SUA ?
I am an international , and from my researcsh
through the internet it seems like a pretty good school and i am starting to consider it as my top school now . My only concern is the degree they offer . Can you please give me more info about the university ? And do you think Connecticut college is better ?

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Yes, Connecticut College is better. It’s a fuln fledged, recognized college with excellent programs, professors, and placement.
SUA is very, very small college, with about 100 students per class year, and as a result it cannot offer full majors or programs the way a full fledged collge would.