Northwestern vs USC vs UCB

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>So I've recently been accepted to these three schools and I'm planning to major in Bio/neuroscience though I'm really undecided so i'll probably double major/ probably change majors. </p>

<p>I'm having trouble picking between these three schools because they are all so awesome in their own ways. </p>

<p>USC: I got a trustee scholarship, so it's a full-ride~! Also, I feel like if I went to USC, I 'll have a greater change of being a top student than at Northwestern and UCB. However, it is FAR to close to home, and I personally feel like I fit in with a more/prefer a nerdier atmosphere. Also, looking at grad school acceptances, USC definitely seems to carry less weight than NU. But the thing is, with extra money, I would be able to go on study abroad/ cool summer activities (but then again NU may give me a grant to do that anyway) The good thing about USC is that I think that I may be able to stand out more, and have more time for extracurriculars/ research. </p>

<p>UCB: This is probably the best school for the sciences, and since I'm in-state it's financially fine for me too. The location is great (as it is not too close to home) and I would love to be in a politically active school, but I feel like overall it's not the practical choice. At either of the other schools, I'll have a much easier time getting the required classes+ housing, advising, switching majors ( I heard many at UCB are capped) double majoring, and being able to participate in small discussion based classes (especially in the liberal arts) The only thing that is swaying me toward UCB is how awesome grad schools look at it, though the large number of acceptances could just reflect how many people are there. (which is ALOT) </p>

<p>NU: If it weren't for the fact that NU is more expensive, I would probably want to go there. (I would have to take loans (~4000 a year), and I don't want to make it too hard on my parents. )The student Population at NU just seems more inquisitive/nerdy as a whole , and it's alot easier to double major, there are fewer students than at either of the other schools, I would be able to live in a different city for a few years ( though as a cali girl I may have problems adjusting to chicago's winter), there seem to be more research grants, better study abroad. More importantly, I feel like NU would probably push me to learn more. But on the flip side, I'm afraid that at NU, with so many talented students around me I may fall behind! Also, does anyone know if NU bio is worth the difference in money, since it seems more journalism oriented. (I hear from CC that some have a bit of a "ivy-reject" mentality, and are kind of grade-grubbing (though honestly I probably do that to)). I'm dead set on going to grad school (maybe med-school) so I'm caught between "I should go to a school which is more respected by grad schools/ where I will be pushed to learn more" and "maybe I should choose a school I'm more likely to excel in/ do more extracurriculars" </p>

<p>Sorry for such a long post, I'm so happy to be accepted by all three and I know any choice would be great. Still, I can't help feeling I'm at the crossroads and that my future will be really affected by this choice.</p>

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<p>You’ve done a pretty spot-on analysis of the different schools. Although I’d strongly disagree that NU has the “Ivy reject mentality” (what does that even mean?), I think your characterizations are pretty good. It is really be up to you to decide what your specific priorities are, as each school has its pros and cons as you have detailed. As a so cal guy, I loved Chicago and I found that the Californians tended to actually mind the weather less than the Midwesterners/Northeast people. </p>

<p>4k a year in loans is a very manageable amount to graduate with. Its what I have in my first year out, and I’ll have it paid off pretty quickly. But as you are dead set on grad school, you may not want even more hanging over your head, unless you head the non-med school route and get a funded grad program. </p>

<p>I’ll say that there are a ton of people I knew freshman year who thought they might want to go to med school. Very few ended up sticking with it all 4 years and getting in. If med school is what you really want, USC might be the best choice, as GPA is what you are shooting for (noting that its no slouch academically either). I’ll also note that NU, while it has a great journalism program, is certainly not focused in any subject. Sciences are great (take a peak at grad school rankings). I loved NU, but I think you can make strong arguments for all 3 depending on your goals.</p>

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<p>“The only thing that is swaying me toward UCB is how awesome grad schools look at it,”</p>

<p>No, no more or less so than your other choices. I was ready to tell you to bite the bullet, take the scholarship money, and stay in so cal at USC. But if the difference between USC and Northwestern is really “only” $16k over four years, I’d follow your heart and the nerds to Chicago. Have to agree with suppasonic on all counts.</p>

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<p>I graduated with 16k in debt and am now much, much more in debt due to grad school, and the 16k at the low interest rates and subsidized is really a tiny blip on my radar. All three options are great, but honestly, if all that’s holding you back is the 16k, NU is worth it, if only to get you to see more of the country, the value of which I don’t think can be overstated.</p>

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<p>This really shouldn’t even be something you consider.</p>

<p>You have no idea how many people I knew at my undergrad (UCSD) who passed up on T20s to get a full ride (Regent’s Scholarship, like myself) who did miserably because of extraneous factors. I, on the other hand, was actually a pretty miserable student in HS with a low GPA (3.3 weighted, but a near perfect SAT + first-generation American + URM + varsity wrestling and tennis, etc.), but did wonderfully in college (enough to now be a student at NU for my PhD). College life is so different for everyone that you can’t count on resting on your laurels to be the top of your class.</p>