Please help decide college!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>First of all, I apologize for an extremely personal thread. But I thought all your inputs will be very helpful.</p>

<p>I'm in a happy dilemma of choosing a college among these four great institutions:
-UMich
-UVa
-Emory
-Tufts</p>

<p>I'm an OOS for the two public schools, non-financial aid applicant who, for now, plans to study Economics and international relations. I prefer schools with beautiful campuses, and in a small to medium town/city. (However, I cannot easily disregard Emory and Tufts because they have a powerful academic environment) </p>

<p>My current college councilor recommended either Emory or Tufts, but not UMich and UVa because:
1. UMich is 'too big' for undergrad study. (And my parents and I tend to agree with this)
2. UVa is 'too conservative.' (Given the fact that I lived in more than 9 countries and almost always in an international community)</p>

<p>Personally, I always favoured UVa because it's in a nice town and with a stunningly gorgeous campus. </p>

<p>Where shall I go? :(</p>

2

<p>UVA for sure. Charlottesville fulfills much of what you are looking for>>small city, gorgeous “Grounds” (we don’t say “campus” here), great history, great respect nationally. Also it’s proximity to Washington, DC brings that political thread to our school. Though I’m not remotely studying economics or international relations, it’s obvious, even for me, to see that UVA is hands down the best for someone pursuing this line of study. You’ll find people from all walks of life at UVA>conservative and liberal and everything in between.</p>

<p>-I agree, Michigan is too big, unattractive campus, and cold
-Emory, I don’t know much about. It has a very respected name, I guess, but I didn’t even think about applying there, and I love the south. Atlanta is big and a mess, IMHO.
-Tufts, too northern. I guess it has an OK respected reputation, sort of. I wouldn’t go there.</p>

<p>I know this a totally biased opinion, but it’s just that, an opinion, FWIW.
Good luck in your decision making.</p>

3

<p>UVA! UVA! UVA!</p>

<p>Awesome school, awesome atmosphere, awesome location, awesome campus… D.C. location is a plus for internships…</p>

<p>I would disregard UMich because of its location and the weather
Tufts is a solid school but I personally am biased against it because i really don’t like it and i think admissions there is obnoxious. Also, VA has better weather.
Emory is a great school… but it’s in atlanta.</p>

<p>Though there might be a conservative tinge at UVA keep in mind that 1. it’s a huge school, you’re going to find people who agree with you on stuff :P, and 2. it’s a state school –> i.e. drawing in a very diverse group of people (thus allowing 1 to happen). </p>

<p>I think UVA is going to give you the best opportunities in what you want to study and the best overall college experience (UVA was my top choice for about a year, and I wanted to be an IR major too :))</p>

<p>Best of luck! You have some great choices</p>

<p>Edit: I’m also clearly biased towards UVA. and with d@mn good reasons!</p>

4

<p>UVA, like all universities, has a wide variety of people attending. If there is a predominant group, it is most likely “kids from middleclass/uppermiddleclass families in the DC suburbs, whose parents have managerial/government/technical jobs.” But not everybody comes from this background, and even those who do, differ in their interests and political views, just like the kids who attend any other selective university. </p>

<p>The arts departments, the international center, and related clubs are good places to meet plenty of like-minded, non-ol’-boy types.</p>

5

<p>UVA is the best of the group. However, they are all great universities. Good luck and congrats!</p>

6

<p>I would say if you are serious about international relations, Tufts is the best choice. The Fletcher School at Tufts is one of the strongest in the country. Medford is a great town too, and there are plenty of things to do. Boston is very international and only a T stop away. Tufts also fairly average as far as political polarization is concerned, not very conservative and not overly liberal. </p>

<p>BUT, if you are still on the fence about your major, go to UVa it is amazing and has absolutely everything you could need or what. UVa may be a little conservative but really I don’t notice it at all AND I went to school and grew up in Boston.</p>

7

<p>thanks guys!</p>

8

<p>OK, my sons both turned down offers at UVA somewhat reluctantly and went to Duke and Vandy.<br>
However, you are choosing between UVA UMich, Emory and Tufts. I have never seen Tufts but Boston is a great city for college kids…probably one of the most authentic experiences you can get in America for college…is to be around Boston. </p>

<p>I have lived in Atlanta four times and worked on the Emory grounds. </p>

<p>With your background, having lived in 9 countries…It is my opinion…that you will be happiest at UVA.<br>
UVA is a heartbeat away from DC and Richmond and UVA IS at the heartbeat of USA political thinking and you will realize when you move there that you are on an extremely diverse campus. The 30% of students who are there from the DC burbs are likely to be the sons and daughter of parents who are not Virginians so…you will have much in common with them. The OOS kids who come are stellar and the instate kids are thrilled to be there from the other parts of VA.</p>

<p>Never met a grad who wishes they had gone elsewhere. The social life at UVA is very commendable and that is so much of what college is about…</p>

<p>good luck with your decisons</p>

<p>It is my understanding that many UVA grads are serving in the State Department and in government positions. UVA grads usually have a great balance between natural smarts and very good social intelligence.</p>

<p>I understand and respect Emory and think it is a great place to prep for life but particularly for a career in medical related paths but I do not revere Emory’s social life which is somewhat dwarfed by its host city, the always young, always brash and always distracting and crass Atlanta. And I loved Atlanta in my youth believe me. Going to Emory is cozy for a year,…then you must move to the Claremont Campuses which don’t do anything for me frankly…Emory classrooms…I respect very much. But as you age up, Atlanta takes over the college experience.</p>

<p>Charlottesville and UVA enjoy a beautiful marriage…the kind money can’t buy. </p>

<p>Why did my kids not go? Well…we were looking for smaller classes I guess…one of my kids wanted to be in a college Symphony and UVA falls down on this score…there’s is Town Gown with the Gown people taking up a lot of seats…and the other kid won a merit offer. </p>

<p>(I don’t think UVA should have a Town Gown Symphony…do you have any idea how many kids in each freshman class are experienced string players? Tons can play but there are so few seats…very discouraging. UVA would have one of the best college symphonies on the eastern seaboard if they would fund it…students only!! (In our state, JMU has the lead Music Major funded programming…even so…Wm and Mary has a nice Symphony of its own…and UVAs would be a powerhouse…</p>

<p>I digress.</p>

<p>But sons both hope to return to UVA…if they are lucky enough to get admitted to grad schools.</p>

9

<p>I hope you visit all campuses before you make your decision…The one you feel most comfortable at is likely the one you will most thrive at.</p>

10

<p>thank you all! </p>

<p>Unfortunately, since I live 13 hours away from continential U.S, and IB exams upcoming, I cannot visit ANY schools for now. However, I’m doing the best research I can to all schools I got accepted… UVa is definitely on my top list.</p>

11

<p>Just remember, that you’re getting biased (with reason) responses given that you’re on the UVA forum… hopefully you posted the same question on the other schools’ respective forums as well.</p>

<p>Not that you need their opinions though… 'cause it’s UVA all the way…</p>

12

<p>I believe the fletcher school is a grad program. and Tufts is highly regarded difficult to et into as well.</p>