Richmond vs Loyola Chicago !?! (Student experiences anyone????)

Hi there!

I am deciding between the Universtiy of Richmond and Loyola Chicago. Just as a bit of background- I applied to almost 20 schools and was rejected…from almost every single one. I have one waitlist at a highly selective “top 5” school, but I’m not expecting much from it. T’was a rough time.

I plan on going on to a top grad school program- most likely in International Relations or Bussiness. I got what is now a ~100k scholarship to Loyola (over 4 years) and would be in the Honors College. Richmond is a better school in terms of ranking (which I don’t really care about besides the fact that it might help me get into grad school)…but I REALLY didn’t like it when I did visit. (I have reasons I can explain if you’re wondering. It’s just not a good fit).

So…go to a better school that I don’t like for 75k a year, or go to not as good of a school that I’m ehh about for like half off?? Can anyone speak to their experiences at either school? Or just general knowledge?

Though UCAS is closed for UK kids, since I’m in the USA I was also thinking I’d apply to Edinburgh. (And maybe St. Andrews through the common application…but when I contacted them they said the only spots they had left were in programs that I don’t want lol). If I do, I could go look at it this summer when I go to Europe!!!

//I may also take a gap year and reapply, but this makes me nervous for a lot of reasons. I have something really cool that I could do…I just don’t know. I wouldn’t apply to the same schools at all- what I’m looking for has changed A LOT in the past year. I feel like maybe taking some time to re-evaluate what I want would be good. I didn’t really know what I wanted or have any help…I just sort of tried to do all of this on my own. It didn’t turn out so great.

I don’t really feel like any of my options are right for me, and I’m just very unsure. Thoughts? Anyone have words of wisdom? Been in the same spot?

As a prospective parent I am curious why you REALLY did not like Richmond.

The impression you have when you visit a college might not be the same as actually studying there. Personally, I’d go with Richmond (providing finances are not a big issue). Maintain a good GPA and if you find that you really do dislike it, you can apply to transfer to another school after a year (one of the ones you got rejected from this year, or a UK college).

If you really don’t like Richmond, don’t go there. Fit is much more important than rank.