<p>Deciding between these 4 schools! Anyone have any insight? I am undecided but am possibly interested in something in communications/film studies and sociology. I am torn because I want to go to a prestigious school, but also one with a fun and active social life. Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>Based on your interests, I’d say go to Northwestern. You get a lot of mixed reviews about NU’s social scene/life, but that place is so diverse that you’ll definitely find your niche and end up having a great time. Northwestern will teach you (or force you to learn) how to manage your time, so once you’ve got things juggled well, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I would say either NU or Tulane. NU is well known for communications, Tulane has an excellent sociology department. But 80% of undergrads change their major at least once, so it is really important you go where you think you would be happiest. All those schools will give you a fine undergraduate education. Focus on factors like location, size of school, sports scene if that matters to you, NU is on the trimester system so think about if you want that, LAC vs. research university, so on and so forth. The next 4 years are about both in the classroom and outside of it, so you want to feel you made the most of it in all aspects.</p>
<p>Not sure how/if sociology graduate ranking translates to undergrad program but it’s still worth to note Northwestern’s sociology department is ranked #9 by USN. Many of the faculty members are leading experts in the field.</p>
<p>I wasn’t aware that Tulane had a strong sociology dept… Oh, and just to be clear wrt the LAC reference above, Tulane is not an LAC, nor really a research university. It’s one of those tweeners. It is closer in size to NU than a true LAC (say 3,000 students). Tulane is 6,500 undergrad and about 4,500 grad).</p>
<p>Hm, by my measure, Northwestern is both the most prestigious on your list, and has either the best, or tied for the best, social scene. Any of those schools will serve you well if it’s the one you love, but if you really like all of them equally, this is a perfectly reasonable tiebreaker.</p>
<p>DunninLA - I have to disagree with you about Tulane not really being a research university. It is specifically recognized as such in many areas. Hard to figure what all those grad students (2,600 not counting law and medicine, I think you are a little off on your 4,500 number. Doesn’t really matter, 4500 would be better for my case) are doing there if Tulane is not a research university. Tulane awarded about 1,100 masters and Ph.D. degrees last year in 67 different disciplines.</p>