<p>Any knowledge of ANY of these schools (Northwestern, Princeton, Rice) would be greatly appreciated, whether regarding overall academics, social life, etc.. It's almost decision time, and I have no idea where I should go next year... thanks!</p>
<p>Most will say Princeton. But it really depends on factors like what you want to study. Tell us what field(s) you are interested in.</p>
<p>Go to Princeton so I'll have a better chance getting off the Northwestern waitlist! :)</p>
<p>Rice is an incredible school. The main differences from nu are that it's a little weaker in the liberal arts, but much warmer. It's in a great part of Houston, as opposed to NU being in a suburb. Definately visit.</p>
<p>I would go to Princeton. It is my top choice school for when it comes time for me to apply. It is near two cities, is in a beautiful suburb, it focuses on the undergraduate education...it is just so wonderful!</p>
<p>What are you stats?</p>
<p>affa907 just wondering why you say that Rice is a little weaker than NU in the liberal arts. I see NU as a collection of "professional schools" so I thought the liberal arts might be weak there.</p>
<p>Gotta go to Princeton. Similar/ Better quality of life than the others + legitimately more prestige.</p>
<p>well i applied to rice and northwestern for viola performance, and princeton as an undecided because i'm not sure i want to major in music. so now i have to decide what i want to major in (which is ultimately my own decision), because i never thought i would get into princeton. however, i was hoping for info on other elements of the schools that might help sway me in one direction or the other. thanks again!</p>
<p>slipper1234: what do you mean by better quality of life? isn't it an insanely intense workload?</p>
<p>I'd choose Princeton to tell you honestly.</p>
<p>Prestige, beautiful campus, great undergrad education, great financial aid, the works.</p>
<p>Also, there is a reason why the alumni giving rate is like 61%... they must love it there.</p>
<p>I believe there was a quote in US News and World Report a year ago where someone said he liked Princeton because "everything is exclusive there." It's a gorgeous little town, but when I visited it felt a bit snobby and not right... plus the engineering departments are all far away on the other side of campus. I do know a violist who is going there (though not for viola performance) and I think she had some difficulty with making friends and dealing with her HS friends being places where they party while she just worked her butt off.</p>
<p>Rice has an AWESOME viola department and Karen Ritscher is wonderful. Did you apply to study with her or Dunham? He's also very nice, but I've been studying with Ms. Ritscher in high school for the last 3 1/2 years and just love her. I know transfering out of Rice's music school is much, much easier than transferring in, and you may be able to stay in any chamber music groups you were placed in your freshman year. I've also been told that many of the music majors there forgo eating and sleeping for practicing, but I think there is some of that in any good music school.</p>
<p>Northwestern's viola professor is well thought of, I believe, but I don't know anything else about there.</p>
<p>Musicace...you should go to the princeton thread...then to the Admitted Princeton 2009 part at the top. You willl find a thread there with the name of "Why our school is so cool," or something like that.</p>
<p>wait why did you apply to pronceton if it wasnt your top choice? Isnt it the hardest to get into?</p>
<p>If she wants music performance, Rice is a better choice for it. Princeton, while it has a good viola professor, I am told that it is more "academic" than "performance" oriented. Not sure, but I suppose it means its for people doing something else, too, who aren't going to make their lives be in an orchestra.</p>
<p>well i applied to princeton because i don't know what i want to major in, and going to princeton would give me more options. truthfully, i never expected to get in, which is why i never really considered it until now. while i wouldn't major in music at pton, i am told that it has a good viola teacher, and an amazing orchestra.. so i might be able to keep up the viola playing as well.
any thoughts or further input on the schools? i really know very little about northwestern..</p>
<p>oh, and i would study with karen ritscher if i went to rice. i agree- she's amazing! :)</p>