<p>I have been researching two schools for the past two weeks to try and make a decision about which one to attend. I've gotten nowhere. </p>
<p>One school has prestige, a large but feasible pricetag, and people tell me to go there. The other is a middle of the pack school with average academics, I can probably go for free, I get tons of benefits, and I like it more than the other. People think it would be foolish to pick this one over the other.</p>
<p>I have two great options in front of me and I have no doubt that I will do well at either school. I'm just afraid to say no to either. To me this is an impossible decision. Does anyone have any tips for making decisions in which the two choices equal out in pros and cons?</p>
<p>I feel like this is a common dilemma and I think any advice on making such a tough decision would be appreciated by the CC community.</p>
<p>Which schools? And what major are you going for? How is your financial situation? In state or out of state? Where do you see yourself in 4 years? A graduate of a or b? Which is more likely to help you move forward in your dreams? Is there any familial (idk if that’s a word) pressure to either school? </p>
<p>I had the same dilemma between Georgetown and Duke before I realized that I didn’t want to go to GTown. My parents wanted me to go there. I chose Duke.</p>
<p>If you like one more than the other, then I’d go there, especially with a full-ride. You could probably still find ways to challenge yourself at the one you like (honors, possibly?).</p>
<p>What do you see yourself doing after college?</p>
<p>The schools are William & Mary and Christopher Newport. Financially, both are possible but loans are involved at W&M. I want to do Public Policy/Government and I would like to work as a county administrator at some point. I think both will get me to my goals but they both offer great (albeit different) opportunities. It’s difficult to gauge which opportunites would be more helpful in my career.</p>
<p>It seems to be 51/49 in favor of CNU because I like it more. People tell me this isn’t smart but they don’t know about CNU or the opportunities they offer me (priority registration, money, study abroad stipend, amazing housing, solid networking). Granted, I can probably still study abroad at W&M, they have my major, they have an accelerated master’s, and I’m told their alumni network is amazing. I can’t seem to get an accurate read on what really is the value of a degree from both places.</p>
<p>No familial pressure and I will be doing honors, service, and leadership programs at CNU. I would go in as one of the top students as well (not that my ego needs that lol).</p>
<p>CNU all the way…they are becoming more well known as the years go by, and with all those benefits, I think CNU is better. That said, this is coming from a Virginian who has heard of every school in Virginia; I don’t think many out of staters have heard of CNU. Yeah, I heard the housing there is incredible.</p>
<p>But I’d also say wait until you hear from some others input…have you visited either campus? What do you want to do after college?</p>
<p>Just a thought-If you are instate and have the opportunity to go to well known schools like William and Mary,UVa or Virginia Tech, you already have name recognition at a decent price. Unless money (or lack of fit)is a compelling factor for you , I can understand why you’re getting some pushback on the CNU idea. CNU seems like an up and coming school but William and Mary is already there . You say you are 51/49 so sounds like you like both and could do well at either.Good luck with the decision.</p>
<p>I plan on staying in VA, DC at the furthest so CNU being known only in VA is not really an issue for me (I don’t think). I plan on working in public administration of some sort. Right now I have county administrator at the top of my list. I feel like both will get me into great graduate schools but I also feel like CNU offers me opportunities that will set me apart in a grad school application. W&M probably has many of these same opportunities for top students, but I know for a fact they will be available to me at CNU. Not to mention that I’m confident I can pull a 3.5+ at CNU where I am not at W&M.</p>
<p>Fun fact: I did not get into UVA early action but I got into W&M RD (haha go figure)</p>
<p>Question: Any out of state folks know much about CNU?
Also, as an employer, would you be so much more willing to hire me if I had a W&M degree?</p>
<p>County Admin/City Mgt jobs generally require an MPA. Undergrad ‘prestige’ won’t matter a bit for MPA admissions. </p>
<p>The prestige factor for most graduate program admisssion decisions is highly overrated on CC.</p>
<p>W and M wold probably have more name brand national recruiters on campus at their career services. I would compare the career service results and data for each school.</p>
<p>I have an MPA so know a bit about that career path.</p>
<p>I think alot of Virginia people don’t know that much about CNU, let alone people outside of Virginia. That being said, you seem very happy about the finances and fit for you with CNU so that is all very important. I’m sure you can get anywhere you want to go from CNU.</p>
<p>Career services seem to be solid at both schools. W&M does have a bachelor’s in public policy but I’m not sure how much bearing that has on master’s admissions. I can design an interdisciplinary at CNU. </p>
<p>Is it normal to get a MPA/MPP right out of college? I’ve seen that a few programs require work experience first. Would summer internships apply as work experience?</p>
<p>MPA programs do not care what field your undergrad degree is in although there could be a few pre-requisites that you may have to take as a grad student. There are MPA programs for inexperienced people and tose for mid-career folks.</p>
<p>Syracuse,probably the top MPA program, requires no work experience although many do have a little. Quite often people will have had a few years experience, perhaps at a on-profit,NGO,or some other type of governmental organization. As an examle, a budget analyst with some govt agency or dept. But there are virtually no jobs as an asst city/county manager available without an MPA.</p>
<p>Your best bet for undergrad prep is to major in something quantitative such as econ. Or perhaps get a minor in stats. Undergrad degrees in public policy, unless quant based, are not beneficial at all.</p>
<p>I was thinking about double majoring in political science and communications or american studies. Would you suggest political science and economics? </p>
<p>Also, would you recommend brushing up on my math for college? I never even took pre-calculus in high school so I would consider it to be my weakest subject. I’m in Intro to Statistics now. I was thinking about taking pre-calc this summer. I honestly don’t know how math oriented economics is or if calculus even applies. Thoughts on preparation for math?</p>
<p>Your government sector job prospects increase exponentially if you bring quant skills to the table. Budget and policy analyst jobs are common and many require solid quant skills that few poli sci programs provide.</p>
<p>A BA in Econ will typically require a basic Calc class (often times one specifically for business or Econ majors) and one additional stats class. These BA programs are typically quant light. Yo should check CNU’s Econ program for requirements. A BA in Econ will generally be better than a degree in poli sci for job prospects.</p>
<p>Many Econ programs are pretty math intensive. My son is considering a major in Econ. His program requires one basic Calc course, a second Calc course specifically for Econ analysis, 2 stats courses, and a course in econometrics.</p>