<p>I know it's a pathetic reason to choose a university, but I've been put in a tough spot here. I've been accepted to Northwestern University, and waitlisted at Brown, Cornell, and Georgetown.</p>
<p>All three universities that've waitlisted me are lower in the usually-suspect USNWR rankings, but seem to carry more clout among even people in the know than Northwestern does. </p>
<p>I've wanted to attend college in (or just outside of) a large city for a while now. However, I want to study International Relations. Georgetown, the lowest-ranked of the four, seems to be a perfect fit on these two criteria alone, but I'm not sure about the quality of life there or the attitudes of the student body.</p>
<p>My question is this: Are the USNews rankings really indicative of Northwestern's standing? Should I not even pursue the waitlist opportunities since Northwestern is more prestigious anyway and seems to be a good fit? My quandary is that, if I were accepted to more of these schools, I had planned to attend the preview weekends. Now, however, I don't have that opportunity.</p>
<p>Please just go to Northwestern and be happy there. If you feel the need to accept a spot on Georgetown's waitlist, I don't see the harm it could do but PUT DOWN YOUR DEPOSIT AT NORTHWESTERN.</p>
<p>gradatgrad--I have a similar situation. I was accepted to Northwestern, rejected at Georgetown and waitlisted at Penn, Brown, Dartmouth and William and Mary. I am currently unsure of what to do all though i plan on putting my deposit down at Northwestern.</p>
<p>I'm going to put down my deposit at Northwestern for sure, and I really like the school. I'll be attending NU Preview from Apr18-19. Are you going to Preview, Sunny18?</p>
<p>Northwestern has plenty of clout from sea to shining sea. There is no way any of the other 3 is significantly better or worse in general than NU. You'll never EVER run into anybody who will say, "Northwestern? Couldn't you get into a REAL college?" So quit putting so much faith in the US News and go with your heart.</p>
<p>Absolutely go to Northwestern. Especially since you don't live in Chicago. I actually think Northwestern is under rated as far as academic prestige goes. It has a Big 10 sports atmosphere, the campus setting on Lake Michigan is unlike anything else and Chicago is a cool, very navigational city. My daughters both said that Northwestern would be a top choice for them if they didn't live a 5 minute bike ride away.</p>