So I’m interested in studying Political Science/Economics, maybe with an environmental sciences double major//minor. I am accepted to Rice University, which was my top choice for a while, but now I’m really struggling to choose.
Rice:
-Residential College System
-Private School
-Smaller school
UNC:
-Larger school
-I would be in a group of “Research Scholars”//have a grant to conduct research for one summer of my choosing
-Larger departments/more flexibility for switching majors
-Higher ranked grad schools
Northeastern
-In the University Scholars Program (which means free tuition, increased personal attention)
-Coops
-Boston
I hear what you’re saying but I wouldn’t dismiss northeastern out of hand…it has the HUGE advantage of being in Boston…where you would meet and spend time with 260,000 other college students (believe it or not, that’s the annual estimate of college students in Boston proper). And the Northeastern scholars program is very highly regarded.
@franko5150 I would not really be considering Northeastern was it not for the Scholars program (I have always liked my other two options better), but the program does pay a lot of attention to the select 200 or so kids, and I could be saving that money for grad school-- potentially
I’m currently majoring in Political Science at Northeastern as a member of the Scholars Program. My boyfriend is @jfking01 and goes to Rice. I’m incredibly familiar with both schools, but less familiar with UNC so I might not be of use on that front.
I’m happy to answer more specific questions if you have them, but here’s a short summary of my thoughts:
Rice - Most students are in engineering majors. It’s a small school, and your Political Science classes would probably be pretty small and I’m not sure how much focus Rice puts on that program. Rice has a way cooler culture, in my opinion. Higher quality of life, more intimate feel (although the Scholars program does have a relatively intimate feel).
Northeastern - The scholars program practically throws money at students. You will no doubt have research experience upon graduating. I have had so many cool opportunities I never would have had at any other school because of the Scholars Program. I’ve been satisfied with all of my Political Science classes so far. Michael Dukakis’ class was the most incredible academic experience I have had so far in life. Co-op is also fun and makes it way easier to figure out exactly what you want to do and have a job after graduation doing it.
I think I like Rice better, but it’s all about your own personality I think.
I’m in a crunch for time right now, but let me know if you have more specific questions and I’d be happy to answer more thoroughly!