<p>Still looking for some insights on Cornell, UVa or Tufts for ir/government (cornell=communication & government). D has visited all campuses, likes the large size and dynamic environment of all, and is looking for fine distinctions (not including the weather) bet. lifestyle, student body and academic opps.
D. may also study chinese and asian relations while there, and music and horseback riding for fun.</p>
<p>OK, there's got to be somebody out there with some info on these topics. Please help her narrow down her choices. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Have you tried posting on the individual school forums and asking specific questions? Studying the cities themselves to see if one appeals more? </p>
<p>Definitely try going to a local large bookstore and read through the entries for the schools in a few "what these schools are really like" books. Also there are websites like princetonreview and studentsreview that have students' ranking of colleges on various things (the latter also allows people to post comments). This way you will get more impressions of the schools than you are going to get here, particularly when lots of people are asking for comparisons of different schools right now. </p>
<p>Are you sure that Ithaca weather isn't a concern ? :) Of course, counterbalancing that is the fact that Cornell made the top list of schools with good food.</p>
<p>If she wants to go horseback riding, UVa would be a good place to be. It's in the hills and near the mountains, and the weather makes it feasible to go horseback riding (I know there are lots of big snow storms in Ithaca, and the snow accumulates because it doesn't get warm enough to melt until the spring, when it turns into huge amounts of mud... you can't have fun horesback riding in tons of snow or tons of mud).</p>
<p>UVa has a lot to offer. Since your daughter is interested in government, she may like having D.C. only two hours away--close enough for a day trip. The student body is known for being generally preppy, but there are definitely other kinds of people around. UVa athletics are strong and there is always something to do on campus.</p>