I cant decide!

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi- I posted this on a different forum but I wanted some advice from adults/parents as well. Thanks to all in advance! </p>

<p>I<code>m a japanese student who</code>s been accepted to Imperial College and Uni of Chicago for Biochemistry.</p>

<p>Both schools are great and I<code>m having troulbe deciding betwen the two. I know both schools value small and intimate classes so the level of education I</code>ll be recieving is virtually the same.
In terms of money, they both cost the same (I`m not a UK citizen), so that wont be a factor in my decision.

Im slightly leaning towards Imperial, the reason being that its more tailored towards the sciences and the prospects of getting a high paid job seem better (in my opinion, atleast)
The only downside is that its a conditonal offer, meaning I have to meet a certain score for my IB diploma in the end (38 points) I know if I work hard Ill probably meet the offer, but it`s more or less a gamble in the end. </p>

<p>Uchicago on the other hand has always been my dream school and I<code>ve visited the campus and all that. I love the atmosphere and I know I will enjoy the next 4 years if I choose to attend. I</code>m just worried that a degree from Uchicago might be more <code>general</code> and so getting a decent job without going to grad school might be difficult. </p>

<p>I would like to attend grad school but my parents cannot afford that and so I want to work right after graduating to save up money. Thus I want to go to the school that will give me more opportunities in the end. </p>

<p>My parents say that Imperial is ranked higher and more well known than Chicago, however, there may be more opportunites for biochemistry (in terms of research/industry) in the US- basically both schools have their advantages and disadvantages. </p>

<p>Can anyone give me any further insight that might help my decision? Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>I don't know Imperial, so cannot say. I have only good things to say about U Chicago, both from an in'law who teaches there and students. Grad schools offer sti[pends to their students, with an average range of $20,00-22,000 (at least that is what I've heard from people. Its becoming more common to take a year or 2 off before applying to grad school.
Sounds like both are good choices</p>

3

<p>Well...are you a U.S. citizen, or a foreign national? I'm asking because there are elements of the USA Patriot Act that restrict the types of positions and even areas of education that are now closed to foreigners, although these tend to be mostly in the technologies, I am not sure how impactive it is to biochemistry. In addition, my personal experience lately is that some foreigners have had a problem being allowed to stay and work here post-graduation, not necessarily because the U.S. wouldn't let them, but rather their home countries wouldn't let them - they want to keep the brain power at home. This may not be applicable to your situation at all, but, on the off chance it is, you may want to explore any potential limitations. Also, long term, certain key members of the new congress do not believe the U.S. should put restrictions on education for foreigners, considering education is one of the few sustainable "exports" the country still has...</p>

<p>Another way to look at the decision - if Imperial's offer was not conditional, how would you feel about the two options? Would you still be equally undecided? If the answer is that you would be leaning more heavily towards Imperial, then, are there any fall back positions or alternatives (later matriculation, make-up or substitute coursework) if somehow you didn't meet the required conditions? </p>

<p>Is money a factor at all? If so, what about travel expenses, etc...</p>