<p>I already knew I was accepted to GWU (George Washington) before, but their acceptance e-mail indicated nothing about financial aid or a scholarship. Because the tuition (with room and board) was too expensive for my parents, I put it out of my mind. However, their packet finally came in via snail mail yesterday, and I found out I received the academic presidential scholarship (basically the half-ride). I calculated the costs and it would be nearly the same amount I would pay if I went to UCSD, if not just a bit more.</p>
<p>Pos-GWU/Neg-UCSD:
- I've originally wanted to go to an east coast school for undergrad, and now is my best and perhaps only chance. None of the other schools to which I was accepted offered any sort of financial aid.
- I got in under my major, poli-sci/law. GWU is in D.C. and I think it's an ideal environment for that kind of career. Plus, I really enjoyed D.C. when I visited.
- UCSD is more of a biology/medical-focused school, whereas GWU caters more to people taking my major.
- I thrive in big cities. La Jolla? Breath-taking, but not exactly a big city.
- Smaller class sizes.</p>
<p>Pos-UCSD/Neg-GWU:
- Beautiful surrounding area and campus.
- Still cheaper by a couple thousand; I could go to UCSD where it's more affordable and then just go to a private grad school.
- Closer to home in case of family emergencies.
- Parents are definitely pos-UCSD and not afraid to admit it.
- Name prestige. UCSD has a higher undergrad ranking than GWU (not by a significant amount, but people often mistake "GWU" for "Georgetown" and I have to correct them embarrassingly.)</p>
<p>They're both very good schools but seem completely different. I thought I wouldn't need a whole month to decide, but I guess I was wrong. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, guys!</p>
<p>I know a lot of kids from the west coast. In fact, California is the 6th most represented state at GW. My friend is from Seattle and she was in a similar situation like you (wanting to go to the east coast). It's a good experience to go to school on the opposite coast. You'll be exposed to a slightly different set of experiences and people. It's a good and bad thing. </p>
<p>One thing that's a huge positive for GW is the access to work experience in poli sci. If you want to study politics, why not do it at the seat of the federal government? Internships are a way of life at GW. It's hard to find somebody who graduated without completing some sort of internship, co-op, job within their field. Intern on the Hill, at the White House, the Supreme Court, the various federal department. Intern at NGOs, think tanks, policy research firms. Have a particular policy interest? Intern at an organization that specializes in it. The opportunities are near limitless. You just have to find them and get them.</p>
<p>Rankings are important, but not as important as what you do while you're at university.</p>
<p>As far as being confused with gtown, let it roll of your shoulders and be proud to be a colonial. We crested to #6 in the national men's basketball rankings. GW's definitely on the rise.</p>
<p>I would choose GWU maybe because I live in MD and only half an hour way from the school. It seems that you live on the other side the country. So, I think you should consider how far away you want to or can be from your family so that you do not get "home sick" like many students do.</p>
<p>While fairly obvious as the most extreme colonial, that I am bias, GW provides a richer experience than most schools because of its location. You can truly become a different person and gain a completely new career by being at GW with the IMF, World Bank, State Department, Watergate, White House, Saudi Arabia Embassy, Kennedy Center, and a lot more all in walking distance from the campus. I would say try out GW for two years and then if you really don't like it, transfer back to UC, but honestly do you want to be a number or a person?</p>
<p>Good luck and Congratulations on your Admission to GW!</p>