Alright, so it’s basically midnight and I’ve been overwhelmed with anxiety realizing I honestly don’t know how I’m going to pick what college to attend. I applied to three schools, University of Virginia, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), and Christopher Newport University, and I was admitted into all three…but the problem lies in the fact that all 3 schools are offering me such different opportunities, and I kind of need some external direction to help make a choice. AP Credits don’t include the exams i’m to take this year for my senior year; tuition includes room and board and other expenses.
I’m planning on pursuing a path that would cover neuroscience and psychology; I’m intrigued by the brain and I would love to work towards my doctorate and go into the field of neurology or psychiatry. College to me will be 80% studying and 20% social, or so I’m hoping. I’m not into the party scene, and I’m really just looking to get a good education and make some life-long friends.
University of Virginia
-Pros:
–Hardest to get into
–Most rigorous curriculum
–Best name of the three
–Closest to home
–Instate tuition ($28,000 all in)
-Cons:
–I would only be ‘average’ at the school compared to the other intellect
–No scholarships even possible
–Too much rigor?
–Least favorite campus of the three schools
–Only about 7 AP credits will currently be accepted
University of Minnesota
-Pros:
–In a city (good for job opportunity, I’m thinking)
–Larger school for better social opportunities (just friends, not looking into fraternities)
–Admitted into the honors program, which seems to have super cool seminars
–New experience after living in the middle of nowhere my entire life
–Upwards of 20+ AP credits currently accepted
–No fees for classes signed up for after taking the 13 credit minimum (easier to expand interests?)
-Cons:
–Far away from home
–Most expensive out of the three ($32,000 all in)
–Cold, though that’s bearable
Christopher Newport University
-Pros:
–Beautiful campus
–Admitted into the honors program, which grants a $7,500 scholarship each year I attend
–Cheapest of the three schools (about $5,000 all in with the scholarship, if I’m not mistaken)
–Close to home
–15+ AP credits
-Cons:
–The honors program seminars don’t seem interesting to me?
–Small schools seem good for student v. professor relationships, but really not great for student v. student relationships(?)
–Least academically rigorous of the three schools
–No interesting surrounding town
–I’m liberal and gay…and the i’ve read that the community is conservative and relatively closed-minded…
That felt good to type out, but based on what I’m looking for, does anyone have any advice on how to start chipping away at these schools?