Northwestern or Wash U or Notre Dame or Georgetown

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey, I posted this over in Wash U... but I see Northwestern is more active...</p>

<p>In terms of Northwestern... let me preface by saying I am not quite sure if it is right for me. I live very close to it, and I was looking for a big change in my life... and Northwestern is just so close to home. I also hate the cold weather (though none of the above schools are very warm, chicago winters stink!).</p>

<p>I am very disallusioned right now... I didn't get accepted into my first, second, third, or fourth choice schools, and now must decided between Wash U, Northwestern, Georgetown, and Notre Dame. I am very scared and confused about it all. I have visited Wash U and Northwestern, but I intend upon visiting/ staying over at all of them again this month, I want to make the best choice out of the options given to me. </p>

<p>I was accepted into the arts and sciences programs of all the schools. I had intended upon taking a politcal science/ pre-law route at these schools, but have been having some second thoughts. I may now want to study biology and practice some form of environmental law, or going pre-med and be a pediatrician (I like kids). I want to make some sort of change in the world... maybe a politics route?</p>

<p>Does anyone have input on the political science or biology/premed programs of these schools?</p>

<p>Also, do you think I can visit/ stay over at all of them this month and keep up my grades too? I also have prom (eek.)</p>

<p>Does anyone think I will be a better fit at one than another:
I am a fairly liberal person
I don't much like the city (expect in the summer)...I hate the cold.
I am looking for a fresh start somewhere, a fairly medium sized school where I can attempt to achieve a better social life
I am not adverse to partying etc, I would prefer to have good ol' fashioned fun, but I have not aversion to drinking/alcohol.
I work very hard, but was hoping to take a bit of a breather/ find a better balance in college.
I live in the chicagoland area, and was hoping for a big change in my life (although none of my schools lend that to me now)
I wanted to leave home, so thats a negative for NU (its 20 minutes away), but its a very good schools still.
I want to study abroad (spanish speaking country).
I like seeing concerts alot, small venues, indie/alternative.
I played soccer/tennis in high school, not good enough for college. I love frisbee!
I have a girlfriend... so woman are not that much of a factor
I am an extremely normal/funny guy, not a geek at all, but I get very good grades by combining decent natural intelligence and ALOT of hard work.
By looking at me, you wouldn't have been able to tell I have done so well in school... and I like it that way.
I want become more involved in community service
I am not religious at all (Although I was confirmed UCC)
I am interested in prestige... or at least I was until I was rejected by my major prestige schools. These are all very prestigious schools still, and comparable in my view (maybe not)?</p>

<p>Can anyone give input... I am looking to start a new life for myself, unfortunatly these aren't where I was intending to do so, but must now do my best to handle the situation.</p>

<p>Thanks! Wolffy</p>

2

<p>I would choose Georgetown. Its in DC, which isnt a very large city, and in and of itself it is semi-isolated in that it has a great campus but yet you can go into the city if you want. Plus, Georgetown is very strong in poli sci and bio (second to NU in both probably).</p>

3

<p>Well, I am from DC area so I can tell you a bit about Georgetown.</p>

<p>The winters here are not nearly as bad as Chicago, but sometime the windchills can dip to single digits (VERY rare) or teens</p>

<p>DC has LOTS of cultural stuff that you are looking for. A lot of concerts (Kennedy Center is right next to the campus), Smithsonian has the world's biggest collection and all museums are free, other cultural stuff like Cherry Blossom festival etc is pretty common. (If you come on April 8 you can see the big Cherry Blossoms parade). Also the Georgetown area is very posh, hip and upscale. There is loads to do around there.</p>

<p>DC is an extremely liberal city. There are also lot of options to enjoy the weekend w/o getting drunk</p>

<p>However, this is all what I know about the city and the area Georgetown is. I cannot tell you any specifics about the school itself.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I will be attending a weekend there to guage that better... unfortunatly even though I know I shouldn't, I have trouble not thinking about there overall rankings. I always aspired to go to the best college possible, and when many of the top universities didn't work out... it hurt... a lot. There probably isn't that much importance in rankings I guess.</p>

5

<p>I think Georgtown may be what you want. Despite the fact NU has the academics you look for, DC would give you the bigger change you look for. I probably would cross out ND as it's probably more conservative/religious than you prefer and the town probably doesn't have as much to offer culturally.</p>

6

<p>Yes, I was thinking the same thing about ND... I kinda applied there on a whim, I think I will visit just in case magically for some reason I find out I really want that tradition/ pride ND has to offer. </p>

<p>Any other input, I'm in a very confused state still...</p>

7

<p>I'm choosing between NU and Gtown too. If you're going to a GAAP weekend you will definitely be shown the fine points of the university..i got in EA and went to the first one (free SU-GU basketball tickets in the student section..good time!) </p>

<p>I'm taking a longer look at Northwestern soon, I'm hoping I'll just know from visiting both where I belong. Really, really hoping. A lot.</p>

<p>Good luck, we should compare notes after we've both done our visits!</p>

8

<p>Yep, ill be attending GAAP, as well doing a stayover at NU/ Notre Dame/ Wash U... I want to give them all an equal shot... trying to find the best place... definatly compare notes though.</p>