Penn vs. Duke vs. NW vs. WashU vs. Rice vs. UChicago

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey, please help me decide which seems like the best fit for me. I know that I should visit these schools, but the truth is that I can't visit * all * of these schools. Anyways, please tell me which seems like the best fit for me and why. Also, if any of these schools seems completely wrong for me, please let me know as well. Here is what I'm looking for:</p>

<p>** Strong Pre-Medical Program: ** great advising programs that can show me places for internships, research, etc.; great science classes/teachers that can really prepare me well for the MCAT's</p>

<p>** Competitive, but Not * Too * Competitive: ** i would definitely like to have super bright people around me that can push me to my best, but i don't want people to be cutthroat; somewhat laid-back atmosphere where people help each other out; i don't want grade inflation necessarily, but i don't want a school where there is tons of grade * deflation *</p>

<p>** Nice Surrounding City: ** i know that i won't leave campus every single weekend and go out, but i want the possibility to go out to a great city... it doesn't have to be a * big * city, but i want to be surrounded with numerous opportunities to experience things like sports, great restaurants, and maybe even a museum or a broadway show every once in a while</p>

<p>** Pretty Good Social Life: ** i'll be honest... i'm not the biggest party man. however, i really like hanging out with friends, but i don't want to have to go to hardcore parties every weekend in order to have fun. i'd like to have social places where i can simply relax and chill with friends</p>

2

<p>I don’t know much about other schools, but Penn seems to fit all those criteria.</p>

3

<p>Apply to all of them. Visit the ones you get into.</p>

<p>They are all strong pre-med, ranking them seems a little futile.</p>

<p>UChicago is relatively competitive from what I’ve heard. The rest are about as competitive as you’d expect from an upper tier school.</p>

<p>All the campus cities have their nice and not so nice parts—I’m not exactly sure about Durham, NC though…I’ve heard mixed things.</p>

<p>UChicago is not really known for having the most vibrant social life.</p>

<p>But in general, get in to them, and then visit.</p>

4

<p>try Stanford!!! :D</p>

5

<p>yeah i’ll definitely shoot for stanford/harvard… but you can obviously never know about those. how is the social life at penn? someone told me it’s really “fratty”?</p>

6

<p>I think Brown fits the bill pretty well!</p>

7

<p>You would love Rice.</p>

8

<p>In the scheme of things, these universities are all generally similar.
Penn, NU and WashU are very similar IMO.
Duke, NU and Rice will have slightly more of the sports orientation (in that order).
These are all equal in terms of “prestige” and life opportunities.</p>

<p>I think there is no point in trying to pick. Apply to all. See what you get into. Go from there.</p>