Up until this week I was most seriously considering UCSB as my top choice because I am instate and got the Regent’s Scholarship. Cost of attendance there should be around 20,000. However, I also got into GW a few days ago which I know could give me a lot of opportunities for polisci in the heart of DC. I got a 25,000 scholarship there, bringing my COA to around 40,000.
I am feeling very conflicted because I don’t to be in an urban area without a true campus feel. I applied to many other top east coast schools that were a better fit, but I was waitlisted/denied, so now I feel stuck between two schools I’m lukewarm about. I think I may end up unhappy at GW because of some complaints I’ve read on CC about dining, social life, competitiveness, etc. But, it’s hard to justify not going there considering my major. I think I may go to grad school or law school- which would tip the balance to UCSB- but I’m not really sure. It could be easier to get better grades there, do research, and save money. I originally wanted a change of pace from my home state but I had gotten used to the idea of UCSB before GW decisions came out.
I’m really torn, so does anyone have thoughts about picking between these two? Can anyone speak to the positive and negatives of both schools from experience? I’m more concerned about the negatives of GW. I’m most interested in doing political research, so which school has more opportunities in that are? I’m not a huge partier but UCSB’s laidback vibe seems to fit me better than GW. It is worth noting that I’m on multiple waitlists, I intend to follow up w those admissions offices, and I would pick my waitlisted schools over UCSB and GW, but I am trying to be realistic and pick my next best choice.