Problem: I'm in love with three schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It's March, meaning college decisions are coming. After a recent visit to the University of Washington Campus, I have decided that there are three schools that I'm completely in love with. Thus far, I have only gotten into one, but admission to the other two seems fairly likely.
The three schools are:
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Ohio State University</p>

<p>All three schools are among the top 10 public schools in my department (Political Science), All three schools are in great American cities, All three have the major University climate, and accepting atmospheres, All three have major extracurricular opportunities. I'm waiting to see the cost of each, but aside from that I'm having trouble finding an issue to choose a school on.</p>

<p>Washington is the most beautiful campus I have ever seen, and Seattle is one of the most amazing cities I've ever been to, but the program is slightly less acclaimed, and unlike Wisconsin and OSU it does not sit in a state capitol. That being said its 50 degrees warmer than the midwest on some days.</p>

<p>The two big 10 schools have similar upsides and down sides. Their cold, and the political situation in the two states troubles me, but midwesterners are the nicest people on the face of the planet, and Football games and Basketball games, I'll bet, are a unique experience. the two programs are more prestigious. Columbus is not the beacon for liberalism that Madison is, OSU is the most conservative of the three schools (I'm fairly liberal), but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Both schools are bigger party schools than Washington, again I don't know if thats good or bad, it just is. </p>

<p>In short, I don't know what to do. No school hands head and shoulders above the others, but I know where ever I end up, I will love it, but I have to choose one. How do I pick?</p>

<p>(note that I may be jumping the gun a little, but I'm sure I'll get into at least one of the two I haven't yet. I've Gotten into Ohio State, the other two I hear from this month)</p>

2

<p>well, of course you have to wait for your decisions, and assuming there are no big differences in tuition cost:</p>

<p>1- how difficult/costly/time consuming will it be to travel to these schools from your home town?</p>

<p>2-what is theon campus housing like and how many years of on campus housing are offered?</p>

<p>3- is there any difference in cost of room/board, or cost of living in the surrounding area?</p>

<p>4- will you need to have a car in any of these places or will everything you want to do be accessible on foot or public transportation?</p>

<p>5- likelihood of internships/part time jobs in the local community?</p>

<p>These are just a few things that you could consider for comparison.</p>

3

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<p>Consider Pacific Northwesterners the nicest people on the other, warmer side of the planet. Wait for all your offers to come in, then decide based on total out-of-pocket costs.</p>

4

<p>Full disclosure: I’m a Washington alum. Seattle is a beautiful, exciting city, and UW is indeed gorgeous. Since you’re liberal you’ll feel comfortable there. And although Seattle isn’t the state capital, it’s a hotbed of political activity. I’ve never visited either of the other two schools, but they have a good rep even among us Pac-10ers. From the standpoint of quality, I don’t think there are any bad choices here.</p>

<p>That said, the first thing that comes to mind is cost. You’re going to be paying out-of-state tuition for at least two of these schools – if not all three – and the likelihood of significant financial aid is low. You don’t need to wait to find out about the base cost anyway; go to each of the websites and do a search for “cost of attendance”.</p>

5

<p>Honestly, figure out which will be cheapest and go there. Since you love them all, there will be no “bad” choice, so you might as well choose the cheapest one so you will have less loans and such.</p>

6

<p>What state are you in? How much will your parents pay. There’s no point in picking a fav now if your parents won’t pay high oos costs.</p>

7

<p>You’re a calif resident with sat around 1850. That’s not enuf for merit. Do you need aid?</p>

8

<p>It all depends which you’d prefer to walk through on the way to class…rain, snow, or cow manure.</p>

9

<p>I would wait and see where you are admitted; maybe your decision will be made for you…</p>