<p>Hi everyone. I'm considering my college prospects across the ocean in Amsterdam but my options just make my head spin. I was accepted at the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and Middlebury College. I still need to decide between going to a liberal arts college and a research university, but this is the perfect place for discussion.</p>
<p>I want to major either in the Humanities or International Relations (broad interests I know) for which Hopkins, Middlebury, and Chicago would all be great. From what I've read though often the holistic experience matters more in undergraduate years than departemental reputations. All schools seem challenging.</p>
<p>Hopkins provides freedom, research opportunities, and the advantage of less graduate students. Chicago has a structured Core Curriculum, the life of the mind, and a sprawling wealth of opportunities. Middlebury offers a nurturing environment, caring professors, and personal attention.</p>
<p>All of these schools say that they want you to succeed, but one environment may force me to sink or swim and another may make me a big fish in a small pond. Its difficult imagining life at any of these schools being so far away. I've survived as an expat by learning how to adjust, but that flexibility does not help in making this personal decision.</p>
<p>I know 2 kids at Chicago. Both very smart, very intellectual. They love the classes and the discussion but are both from far away from home and have found it to be a little lonely and socially tough. Not much effort by the school to make freshmen feel at home, meet people, etc. Don't know anything about Middlebury. JHU has terrible food!</p>
<p>I've heard similar stories. Chicago seems great academically but slightly without social balance. Do you think that stems from the size of the institution or the very intellectual attitude of the students?</p>
<p>I think it's partly who they admit (kids who are smart but more important who would identify themselves as smart above all else -- I'm going on those I know who are there: 2 + 2 going in the fall, a small sample!) and also that the U. of C. doesn't do much to foster camaraderie, help freshmen meet each other, etc. -- I think you're expected to take care of yourself.</p>
<p>I was also accepted to JHU and Middlebury, and I also plan to go into International Studies! I visiting Middlebury tomorrow and JHU on Tuesday. I am leaning towards JHU, personally, because of many reasons:
1) it is very close to Washington D.C, the center of international studies in the US
2) the undergrad prog is connected with the grad school program, which is always either ranked 1st or 2nd in the country
3) there are two five year BA/MA programs international studies---though they are EXTREMELY competitive--for the SAIS program, only eight students majoring in Int. S. at the end of sophomore year will be chosen
4) food has improved
5) 66% of students pursue some kind of independent research--which I am very interested in doing
6) I went to a college-prep/liberal arts highschool, and middlebury is very similar to it, so I think that I am ready to go a bit more independent/different route and attend JHU
7)I've never lived in a city and would like to live in one.
8</p>