<p>dfbmd1,</p>
<p>Thank you! Your information is indeed useful! So it is easy to get to Chicago from Evanston…</p>
<p>Mezzo’sMama,</p>
<p>Thank you! I’ll keep doing research on both schools, but I’ll let you know my decision! Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Congratulations on such a nice assortment of acceptances!
I think you’re on the right track bypassing buying a car, which gives Chicago the edge in terms of public transit. When I was comparing the commutes, I was comparing what I consider to be a fairly quick, clean trip down I94 versus the congestion I experience getting around Chicago – by car. By transit, train in particular, Chicago is comparatively pretty quick and easy to navigate, while Detroit is sorely lacking in good public transit to the suburban areas!</p>
<p>UBC is also very great in terms of public transit, affluent functions/paid gigs/networking and a beautiful campus – but as you’ve likely discovered, it is even more expensive in terms of living than Chicago or even New York! I do know a few grad students from UBC and mcgill who have told my son that in their opinion, it’s easier to make a living as a musician in Canada (one was a composer) due to support of the arts. Mind you, that doesn’t always mean staying in Vancouver or Montreal ;)</p>
<p>You have many good choices, it seems, but I’m curious why you would turn down a full tuition offer from Rice. The piano department there is not as stratospheric as the string department, but still is extremely good. I know a current undergrad there that decided against Northwestern because he preferred a teacher at Rice.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>