<p>Thanks everyone for all your help in choosing which school to attend. With one day left in deciding which college to go to, I’m crazy busy researching these colleges. I thankfully have been able to visit all of the schools… Impressions
Washington University
Wonderful students: I loved meeting the Irvin Scholars. They are very welcoming, friendly, pro-activ, and diverse group of students. Anyone who is applying to colleges in the coming years should apply for Irvin Scholars! Such a fun group. Unfortunately, after interviewing for the scholarship, I did not get it. After not getting the scholarship, I almost felt relieved that if I wanted, I could attend Northwestern without guilt. But the professors are inviting, students are intellectually nerdy and charming. Great combination. Lots of fun student groups. I also visited later and watched Footloose performed outside. The group of theater students seemed very close-knit and excited to be a part of theater. It was a great performance, completely student run. The dancing was not so impressive, but the sets, singing, and acting were pretty great. The theater at Wash U is a small group of students, but talented students with diverse interests. The director of the show advised I attend Northwestern if I was serious about pursuing theater. Northwestern has better contacts and prepares actors for auditions.
Although I had incredible visits to Wash U., I feel that in a way the school is a repeat of my high school: very small group of quirky, creative theater students. I want to go to school in an atmosphere brimming with artsy people. Wash U. seems to attract more pre-law and pre-med students. Great school and great performing arts for not having a School of Drama.</p>
<pre><code> Middlebury
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<p>Wonderful professors: I received an amazing personalized acceptance letter. Also, all the professors I contacted by email went out of their way to inform me. Each professor met with me and emailed me after the visit asking how my visit went.<br>
I did not feel that the students at Middlebury were as welcoming as those at Wash U. and Northwestern. I think that the Midwest is just more of an inviting place. I felt that students at Middlebury were not as interested in knowing about me. Of course it depends on which students I met.
The campus is incredibly beautiful and refreshing, but I did not like how far apart all of the buildings were. The Fine Arts Building is a fifteen minute walk from the dorms…I just can’t imagine walking that in the Vermont winter. Kudos to the fresh food, and attempt at carbon neutralization by 2012. Very unique school definitely deserving of attention. The Quidditch team is also so cool!</p>
<pre><code> University of Chicago
Very eclectic and awesome group of students. Everyone seems very unique, and I did not see any of the shallow type that seem to be all over some schools. Although I’d love to be surrounded by quirky students who love learning for the sake of learning, I do not want to deal with the core curriculum. I am very unhappy spending a great amount of my time studying science and math. My school is focused on math and science, and I am ready for a different focus. U Chicago also does not have a performance minor or major. Voice lessons don’t count for credit which I know I would find frustrating. Awesome school just not quite right. The coolest campus I have seen though!
Northwestern
I love that Northwestern is filled with artists. I think that fact alone attracts me to the school. Also, I never expected to be accepted into Medill, and I figure I will try and see if I enjoy Journalism. I really might adore the process…I love adventure, interviewing people, writing, creating, debating…the career could be exactly what I’m meant to do. If I do not like the major, then I could easily switch into Weinberg and have just as good of liberal arts options as most schools. Or if in the next year I decide to pursue drama, I could switch to the School of Drama. Or if I want to pursue music, I can audition for the School of Music. Although Northwestern is more of a pre-professional school than I thought I wanted to attend, the school seems focused on producing capable, passionate students. After attending a lecture by the recipient of the Medill Courage Award, I got to speak with the Dean of Medill. He was an incredibly humble man, and something he said resonated with my fear of choosing the incorrect school. After I told him what schools I was trying to decide between, he said that I could receive an incredible education at any of the schools I am looking at. Knowledge is knowledge, and in ten years how much of what I learn in college am I actually going to remember? The trick, he told me, is to write down and analyze how my teachers learn. Remember how my teachers processed information and dug into text. If I can gain that skill, then it won’t matter what school I attend or what major I choose.
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<p>Medill seems to be an incredible school that trains students to be successful in the modern world. Students become proficient in technology as well as relationship skills. What more could employers be looking for? Honestly, a career is not my highest goal. I just want to attend the school that will mold me into a person that I love, a person that cares about others before herself, cares more about the lives changed than the resume appearance. I have one more day to decide, but I feel at peace that I can become that person no matter which school I attend.</p>
You may be pleasantly surprised.</p>