<p>I have been accepted to couple of colleges which one should i pick? I have been accepted to Barnard, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, Swarthmore, Carleton, Uni of Rochester, Smith. I am from Bay Area, California and have been in the US for only four years. So which school do u recommend and why?
I think that I would major on Biology and maybe minor in Political Science.
Fin aid is not a problem , i get a lot of fin aid from the private colleges but for the UCs mostly I get some grant then loans.
I am from Iran, and during my HS years I did not have a great time even though I live in CA, so I was looking forward to a great experience where i could meet open-minded people, get involved in many activities, and get a good education. So any advise?
Thanks</p>
<p>Hi there star,</p>
<p>Congratulations on all your acceptances!
I don't really know about all of those other schools except Barnard because I didn't apply to them.
But here are a few of my thoughts..
Up till today I was also in a predicament trying to choose between Barnard and UChicago. Although UChicago may be excellent and very rigorous etc., in the end, I chose Barnard.... (with the help of my parent's final push).</p>
<p>I don't have much advice to offer you, but I think the most valuable advice anyone can give you is to say, "follow your heart"...
Go where you are most passionate about, go where your dreams will come true - that is what I am doing.</p>
<p>I think though, with the majors you want to do, Barnard may not be the BEST place.. however, you have all of Columbia's classes that you could take.
I would imagine Berkeley and Swarthmore being very strong for certain majors (perhaps the ones you want to do?), but again I don't a whole lot about that..</p>
<p>So, there is not much I can say, but to tell you to be true to yourself, and ask yourself where do YOU want to go most?
Not where your parents, teachers or friends want you to go.. but where YOU feel would be the best place for yourself.
Also, perhaps you'd want to leave "home" and take a venture out east? Just a thought....
As for Carelton - isn't that in MN? It's damn cold I hear..
And Smith - very women's collegey.. do you want that?</p>
<p>Silver, your comments about womens colleges is unbecoming since you don't know much about them. I've read other posts from you saying that you don't think you could handle it...which is fine. I also think you labor under a lot of misconceptions, which is fine...as long as you don't project them to other people. I don't believe you've ever visited any of them or talked to many (any?) graduates of same.</p>
<p>For that matter, Barnard is definitely a women's college, even if it's the "most co-ed" of the bunch due to Columbia's proximity across the street. The students at Smith, Wellesley, and Bryn Mawr are, for the most part, very happy to be there and having terrific experiences. </p>
<p>Columbia had been my D's #1 on paper and after visiting decided not to even apply. She did apply and was accepted to Barnard, along with Wellesely and Smith...a journey that was marked by meeting many current students of the colleges at local events and some overnight visits.</p>
<p>Ugh.. ok...</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>