<p>hello parents, i am a HS senior from Northern California. I have been blessed with these college acceptances: UC Berkeley, WashU, Tulane and Vanderbilt. Right now, i intend to major in business. However, this could change as i am also interested in political science. There is a good possibility that i will attend law school.</p>
<h1>WUSL(Olin):</h1>
<p>pros:
-smaller class size
-direct admit to Olin</p>
<p>cons:
-59k (no FA)
-Missouri's harsh winter</p>
<h1>UCBerkeley:</h1>
<p>pros:
-in state, $30k
-1 hr from home
- higher ranking</p>
<p>cons:
-competitions
-if not admitted by Haas (apply as a sophomore), will need to settle for an
economics major.</p>
<h1>Tulane:</h1>
<p>pros:
-altman program in international studies and business (double major)
-$30k annual tuition (has been awarded Presidential scholarship)
- small class size</p>
<p>No brainer. If there is even a slight interest in grad school choose the cheapest option for you in terms of debt. Do not take on a lot of undergrad debt.</p>
<p>Your Tulane offer sounds very appealing. You’ve lived in NoCal all your life. Maybe it’s time to see some of the country.
With the residential system in a smaller university (Tulane’s size is ideal) you’ll have access to everything they have to offer and a lot of personal attention. You might find it easier, under these circumstances, to leave with a higher gpa, which can be valuable for law school later. And you’ll have a double major in the two subjects you’re most interested in.
And the $30 grand a year? That probably means you can have 0 debt if you work a bit, which will certainly be important if, again, law school is in your future.
And New Orleans is a fun place. Very different from Berkeley, but interesting and diverse.
I know Berkeley is hard to turn down. (I’m a California snob, too.) But I think you’d get a lot out of the experience at Tulane, leave with a high grade point average, a great double major and little to no debt. Go for it.</p>
<p>Haha…I guess it is relative but to me St. Louis has very mild winters. Also remember you will be home for a few weeks over winter break and possibly spring break, so you’ll miss some of it.</p>
<p>I would not pick Tulane. Seems like a party school and I have heard horror stories about kids not having their scholarships renewed after the first year.</p>
<p>Have you visited Tulane? The location is awesome! And it’s a completely different culture from what you are used to so a great experience. We were very impressed with the location when we visited last Fall.</p>
<p>There are also lots of options for students for at Tulane and in New Orleans - I don’t buy the party school rep. That’s at every college. And you will find your people. </p>
<p>If it were for one of my kids, I’d be leary of attending a school where you have to apply for your major later on and have to change your major if you don’t get in. Especially, considering the program you are in at Tulane.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. At Berkeley, freshman in the college of letter and science don’t declare major until jr year. I will be visitng Tulane next weekend. Hard to say no to Berkeley.</p>
<p>Do you think it is helpful to meet with the head of the program during my trip at Tulane? ( i had a brief interview with him via skype 3 weeka ago)
Should i mention about my other acceptances?</p>
<p>My D is a sophmore at Tulane and loves it. She is not really a partier and has been able to find a group of friends with similiar interestes.</p>
<p>The only reason Tulane students lose their scholarships is if they don’t keep their grades at the prescribed minimum (told to you when the scholarship is offered and before you accept admitance) for merit scholarships or if the family’s income goes way up (for financial need scholarships).</p>