<p>Okay, now I need help with the hardest decision I've ever had. It's a long story so here it goes:</p>
<p>Originally, I decided I was going to choose Carnegie Mellon over Northwestern. I live in Pittsburgh and realized that it would be convenient to be at a school so close. I also never visited Northwestern and don't know if I should make a huge decision based on a school I have never visited. I decided to choose Carnegie Mellon because they were offering me 40k in grant money to attend. I realized that reduces the cost significantly. I haven't discovered my Northwestern Financial Aid award, but we'll get back to that. I paid my $800 for CMU already and realized I would not get that back if I choose to pick Northwestern. </p>
<p>Now to the dilemma, I found out that the reason I got accepted to Northwestern is because a friend of my father put in a good word for me (which I really don't like because I'm sure someone else deserved it, but it's not like my stats are really that much lower than their standard applicant). I also found out that if I attend Northwestern they will give me a free ride because of said friend (friend is good friends with the person who apparently donated the library to Northwestern). I realize with the free ride CMU may match the offer because Northwestern is a peer institution (although a free ride is a pretty big match). </p>
<p>So, I don't know what I should do. I plan on doing Pre-Med with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Psychology. I also feel that CMU connects with me on a more personal level, while Northwestern is just based on statistics and information I find out from other people. I've also visited CMU and have only seen some of Northwestern. I've been to Chicago, but haven't actually been on Northwestern's campus. I also plan on hopefully having a chance at Harvard Medical School in the future, so a school that could help with that would be awesome.</p>
<p>I also have friends at CMU and one of my cousins went to Northwestern. Northwestern I really don't know much about and only applied on a whim (because said friend planned on writing a letter of recommendation, but decided to call instead and instantly got them to accept me). I really don't know what to do. I guess it depends on whether or not I plan to stay in Pittsburgh, because around here Carnegie Mellon is WELL known, while Northwestern, not so much. Which one is better known (which is important in this economy)?</p>
<p>If you actually read my ramble, thank you! I really need the advice. Any feedback is appreciated immensely. Hopefully, I can make the right decision with your assistance! :)</p>
<p>Northwestern chemistry is leaps and bounds better than Carnegie Mellon. I have personal knowledge of the chemistry program, and it is a great environment and a great education. Very collegial. The students are industrious and smart but won’t step on you to get ahead–it’s very midwest culture.</p>
<p>The campus is charming. I suppose there could be more going on for some, but Chicago is just a subway stop away.</p>
<p>Nationally, I’d say Northwestern is better known than Carnegie Mellon.</p>
<p>Fly (drive, 7 hrs) out to visit NW this weekend (or sooner), to see if you like it. Unless you hate it, or you want to pay more to be closer to home, NW makes more sense.</p>
<p>“I found out that the reason I got accepted to Northwestern is because a friend of my father put in a good word for me (which I really don’t like because I’m sure someone else deserved it, but it’s not like my stats are really that much lower than their standard applicant). I also found out that if I attend Northwestern they will give me a free ride because of said friend”</p>
<p>Unless the head of the admissions office explicitly told you this, you really don’t have any way of knowing if it is true. And, even if it is true, full-rides aren’t handed out like candy just on the say-so of a major donor. The admissions officers are expert at weaseling out of anything they don’t want to do. You must qualify for this offer or you would not have gotten it.</p>
<p>If you can, pay a visit. You can get to Chicago by bus or train from Pittsburgh if you don’t want to drive or fly, and then catch local public transport up to Evanston.</p>
<p>There was something about Northwestern that you liked or your wouldn’t have applied. Try to remember what that was. This offer is excellent, like everyone else, I’m going to say, “Take the money and don’t look back.”</p>
<p>Although the NU offer is the most financially sound decision, I see by your post that CMU is really closer to your heart on many levels. If you found out soon that CMU would match the full-ride by NU, would that turn you to CMU completely?</p>
<p>If you would not be happy at NU, and had to transfer to CMU, then the money is not worth the hassle. </p>
<p>On the other hand, your hesitation towards NU might just be based on lack of knowledge. Follow the advice above, and go visit, soon! The school is great, you do not want to waste an incredible opportunity just because you’re not familiar with the campus and resources.</p>
<p>I appreciate the advice. I will try to get my parents to agree to allow me to visit, but that doesn’t sound likely. Who knows, maybe they’ll surprise me. CMU is closer to my heart, but NU might be better in the long run. I just don’t think I should spend four years, possibly hating NU just for better academics.</p>
<p>Wait hold on, I never said I didn’t work hard because trust me I worked my butt off. The only downfall of my entire application was my test scores, which are not a good indicator of how hard someone works or will work, so don’t get that twisted!</p>
<p>Yes, but the fact that you applied on a whim to a school with a sub 20% acceptance rate, and got in instantly on a full ride scholarship because your dad has friends in high places says so. I’m sure you’re a smart kid (you go into CMU after all), but there are kids who pour their hear and soul into those apps, and you got in on a full ride for doing practically nothing (at least thats how you made it sound).</p>
<p>Oh please! That’s a ridiculous argument. She could have gotten in on her own merit, since getting into CMU is not much easier. And the fact that a family friend has donated big bucks, and NU wishes to show some gratitude, is the moral equivalent of the wealthy friend just paying all college costs outright. Nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>Sounds like your parents just want you nearby, period . Just promise them you’ll take care of them in old age with all the big bucks you’re earn from your NU degree Good luck either way.</p>
<p>Rationalize all you’d like, but there is something wrong with that. Your argument is based 100% on speculation.</p>
<p>She should’ve had to put every bit as much effort into her app as her peers in order for her to be deserving of being accepted to NU and the scholarship money that goes along with it.</p>
<p>I still liked the school, by whim I meant I applied thinking I was going to get rejected, not because I didn’t like the school. I’m sorry I made it sound like I don’t think I deserved to get in, I just don’t like the idea of not knowing whether I got in for my stats or my dad’s connections, but I also feel that way about all the schools I got into because of being an URM. Also, the one thing I don’t like about admissions is that they don’t put much emphasis on how much a person actually cares about the school. I liked NU, but clearly not as much as some because NU was not my first choice (and neither was CMU), but I got rejected from my top (and my second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth) choice… sad memories.</p>
<p>I only hope that if you do decide to go to NU, you don’t always keep looking back feeling that you got in without deserving it. There is an amount of uncertainty and luck in any admission or rejection in selective schools so don’t keep thinking that you’re somehow unworthy. You have two great choices ahead of you, and I wish you the best. Coincidentally, my son is in CMU and daughter at NU, and you’ll get two opposite suggestions to your dilema from them.</p>
<p>Not to be mean-- but at least be honest with the NU folks.</p>
<p>You were accepted to the easier to get into programs at CMU -and your a female URM. CMU makes its female quota by accepting females into HSS (liberal arts) and MCS.</p>
<p>I’m a URM too - and I know full rides go to the people winning major national scholarships - OPs stats aren’t at that level. This just seems really odd-- a full ride b/c someone makes a phone call – ? Really?</p>
I will try to get my parents to agree to allow me to visit, but that doesn’t sound likely. Who knows, maybe they’ll surprise me. CMU is closer to my heart, but NU might be better in the long run. I just don’t think I should spend four years, possibly hating NU just for better academics.</p>
sad memories.</p>