Looking for input on my decision

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well after all the work of applications I have my acceptances and I need to make my decision. </p>

<p>My info:
Accepted to all with major: Undecided</p>

<p>My Main factors:</p>

<li><p>I’m fairly sure I want to into Government and go onto Law School. So a big factor to me is how likely a student who just received their undergraduate degree got accepted into top law schools. (Yes I know a lot of it has to do with LSAT, but set that aside)</p></li>
<li><p>Internships! I want to take quite a few internships at anywhere from Law practices to lobbying firms to the Senate. Paid internships are preferred but unpaid are fine as well. </p></li>
<li><p>Academic atmosphere. I am not a party animal and don’t plan to party much at all. An atmosphere where everyone else is also psyched about learning would be great. However, an extreme isn’t great either, I don’t want to go to a school either where its uber strict and no one has any non-academic fun.</p></li>
<li><p>Clubs… Especially Political clubs. I consider myself an independent as far as politics. Also Debate clubs, MOCK TRIAL, and discussion groups.</p></li>
<li><p>Politically interested students who are willing to discuss and debate. Open-minded a great plus.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>My acceptances and initial ideas:</p>

<p>UC Davis: Like that it is considered a “Public Ivy” and from what I have heard it is truly a serious academic school. I will have a better idea of it after I get back from Decision UC tomorrow.</p>

<p>UC Santa Barbara: I’ve already been to Spring Insight so…
Initial thoughts: Very weary of the school because of its party school reputation. Extremely worried looking at Wikipedia and seeing that Playboy was amazed with it…</p>

<p>After Spring Insight: Found out that the party atmosphere is largely limited to Del Playa and the administration is working hard to bring the parties down. Impressed that they cared so much about academics and their Nobel Laureates. HOWEVER, the “vibe” I got from UCSB is a very laid-back beachy atmosphere and I don’t think I will fit in with this so UCSB is currently low on my list.</p>

<p>George Washington University: Went and saw it last year. VERY impressed. I loved that you could take an internship on K St. or somewhere similar AND take classes at the same time. Not so sure about: $51k a year…</p>

<p>American University: Thinking about taking a trip to see it. American is really a black-box to me atm. However, I read the College ******* book on it and liked what I saw. American’s biggest advantage atm is the 18k/yr Dean’s Scholarship (renewable up to 4 years) that they have offered to me.</p>

<p>This is my current situation. I would appreciate some third party input for my decision. Thank you for spending the time to read my post!</p>

<p>Thanks again,
-TBird</p>

2

<p>I like UC Davis. It has a good reputation, but a very different atmosphere from UCSB. UCSB has very good academic programs despite the larger party scene (especially poli sci, physics and engineering). Academically Davis and UCSB are extremely strong and little difference between them...go for environmental fit (Davis = small inland college town, bikes, only UC besides UCLA and UCB to have a football team; UCSB = Santa Barbara, work hard play hard, beach).</p>

<p>George Washington is good, but $51k/year its the most expensive school in the nation and not worth it in my opinion...despite the location for your interests. If you're super rich, or your parents are then maybe, otherwise save the money and go elsewhere.</p>

<p>Don't know much about American, but could be great for your interests. I would visit if you can...if you like the atmosphere and want to get out of CA, go for it. The scholarship is good and the price is more reasonable.</p>

<p>So, it would come down to these choices: Davis/UCSB or American...go for the environment you think you'd like better...one that allows you to focus yet can have some fun too.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I agree...eliminate GW in favor of American. Then its American vs California.</p>

4

<p>You should be impressed with American's campus. It's in a beautiful part of DC, right around Embassy Row.</p>

5

<p>Another thing about GW...
I was very impressed with how close it was to capitol hill. This would make it easy to take internships and get back to campus.</p>

6

<p>We found American MUCH more impressive than GW. The articulation of coursework with internships (many of them paid) was far clearer at American and at GW. Many students begin internships in their first-year - if you go to the American website, you'll see the amazing range of internships available. GW students also told us that they had so many adjunct professors (many of them very good) that it was hard sometimes to get necessary recommendations for internships, jobs, and graduate programs. In short, we thought it was way overpriced for what it was, and the American campus far more exciting.</p>

<p>In the past two years, American has had four Truman Fellowship and four Udalls - all for public service careers - more than Harvard.</p>