<p>My family doesn't have enough money to visit a lot of the schools I got into. I got into 15 schools, but I've managed ot narrow down the list considerably.</p>
<p>1) Cornell
2) Northwestern
3) Rice
4) U Chicago
5) U-Michigan</p>
<p>I was wondering if you all could help me and give me advice on the school environment, the vibe, the feel of the school, and I suppose, if the students are happy overall.</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>I’ve visited Cornell a couple times and slept over on campus twice. It has a big, beautiful rural campus located in a small city in upstate NY, most of the architecture is very nice as well. The student population is large and pretty diverse it seems (i’m talking about diversity in types of people/majors not skin color, I don’t know about that). If you’re not from the Northeast/upper MidWest, you might find it cold and like November-March the weather is pretty dreary, sort of gray, not too much snow though. It might be a harsh climate if you’re from a warmer area. It has a large student body and like I said, it’s pretty diverse so i guess there’s really a niche for everyone. it has an active Greek scene but not like the big State schools where Greek life dominates the social scene. I hear frosh year a lot of people go to frat parties, or at least that’s what a lot of my friends there do. But it’s still possible to have a fun social life if you’re not greek, i’m sure. And as far as academics go, well i’m sure you’ve looked into that, it’s a pretty strong academically obviously. What is your major btw? </p>
<p>Congrats on getting into all those schools! They’re all top schools, you can’t really go wrong with any of them. And you know the academics will be strong everywhere, now narrow it down by FA, location, and fit, and also by major.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, stargazerlillies.</p>
<p>For me, each school has its strengths and I’m completely lost. I’ll be able to visit cornell, and possibly northwestern, but I’m not sure of any others.</p>
<p>Each school is also offering so much to me.</p>
<p>1) Cornell-Cornell is offering me one of the better financial aid packages of the bunch.
2) Rice- Best financial aid; scholarship; I’ve received personal phone calls from professors, I was invited to a program two months ago but couldn’t go. I really like the Residential college system there.
3) Northwestern- I’m getting their Founders scholarship; they have done extensive research on my mom’s condition, and I hope to become part of that research too; it seems like a beautiful school in a nice area. (but I’ve never visited so I can’t really vouch for that).
4) U Chicago- I’m getting a scholarship there too; they were the first school to contact me, and I’ve been brainwashed by all the stuff they send me every month. I adore Chicago but I don’t think they have enough in what I hope to study. (neuroscience) At the same time, they have a core curriculum, and they are located in the big city. (Although I don’t mind rural either, but Chicago seems so awesome; again, I’ve never been there, so I shouldn’t say anything. :x)
5) U-Michigan has one of the best engineering programs in the nation; I don’t know about the financial aid package they are giving me, yet. I think this one could be eliminated, unless by some chance I get admitted into the M-Stem program.</p>
<p>I also got into RPI, and RPI is a fairly strong contender, but not as strong as the others.</p>
<p>Same with Vanderbilt for some reason. I know a lot of people will kill to go to Vanderbilt, but I almost wonder why I applied sometimes. :x I know, I’m a terrible person. Yell at me. </p>
<p>I hope to study Biological engineering/ biochem/ biological sciences with a concentration in neurobiology. One of those. :x</p>
<p>i really think rice would be your best choice. based on your intended major and stuff, rice is definitely stronger that the other schools in that regard.</p>
<p>i loved northwestern’s campus, and i also like rice’s. i would cross off U of C and UMich.</p>
<p>idk, Cornell seems to be really strong in those areas too.</p>
<p>At the same time, Rice is really good.</p>
<p>I think it just boils down to visiting schools. </p>
<p>And it’s funny, i crossed of U-Mich this afternoon lol.</p>
<p>Use google street view, may not be accurate… but will give an ideal. </p>
<p>Cornell is in Itacha, New York, near Lansing, New York. University of Chicago is in Chicago, and many say it’s the environment where fun goes to die. University of Michigan- Ann Arbor is in Detroit metro, Ann Arbor is rank as a top college town.</p>
<p>But I want to also know the vibe of the school, either from people that go there, or people who have siblings/friends/daughters/sons that go there. </p>
<p>I just want to know if I’ll enjoy the environment. </p>
<p>Although, for general location, google street view or a virtual tour would help. But I’m looking more for human experience info.</p>
<p>i’d rank 1. Rice 1. Chicago 3. Northwestern 4. Cornell 5. UMich</p>
<p>most important, since you can’t visit all, i’d suggest going to studentreview.com and typing in every school and reading all the comments of the students</p>
<p>i think chicago, rice, and northwestern are all close, and cornell and umich would provide a worse experience</p>
<p>i’m kinda biased cause I’m going to Rice next year, but Rice is seriously the place with the happiest students, and Rice has amazingly small classes (much smaller than classes in the other schools). Chicago has unbelieveable academics but a less happy student body, and Northwestern is very solid as well academically and socially. I think Rice provides the best mix of academics, social life, and it has the closest interaction between students and profs, plus it’s 5k less per year than the others, and the weather is better.</p>
<p>I just visited Cornell.</p>
<p>Cornell is giving me the best financial aid; it costs less than a state school. Plus, all the misconceptions I’ve heard from everyone have been cleared up. I love Cornell. It has everything I want and more than I can imagine. I don’t want to visit any other schools, and if I were to visit any other schools, they definitely won’t be RICE.</p>
<p>Sorry. It’s just not as good. </p>
<p>I adooore cornell. I’ve already decided what I want to major in, and what dorm I want to live in (Balch Hall). I’m so happy. (:</p>
<p>I just hope I’m not making a mistake. :x</p>
<p>LightBright, I’m curious what your stats are, could you tell me?</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into such fine schools with financial aid, you’re so lucky! :)</p>