<p>I have to choose between two schools. Which is more important? Academics, or environment? </p>
<p>School A is very prestigious private school. It is also very expensive. It is renowned for its excellent academics. However, it is also known as a "party" school and there is a LOT of pressure to join greek life. Many "rich" kids go there, and I certainly don't fall into that category. I like to go out and have fun but I'm not a huge partier. I wouldn't join greek life. They have my specific major, I was accepted into their honors program, and I received some financial aid (although it would still cost me a LOT of money to go there).</p>
<p>School B is my in-state public school. They are the top public school in the state and they are very selective. However, they don't have my specific major (I'd have to go more general) and they aren't nearly as well known as School A. I would probably feel more comfortable at this school because greek life isn't taken too seriously and students there generally come from a background similar to mine. I was accepted into their honors program, and I received some financial aid. School B would be much cheaper for me to attend.</p>
<p>School A has a much better academic reputation, they have my specific major, and it is well-known. School B is cheaper and I feel like I would fit in better there. So which is more important: academics and getting a job, or feeling like I belong there?</p>
<p>You have created a false dichotomy. Don’t assume a school with a more ‘prestigous’ reputation will result in better job opportunities. Please check the numbers. Check the internet or call the schools in question and find out the job placement for graduates in your major. Do you expect to work with just your BA/BS, or are you going on to graduate school? If going on to graduate school, undergrad institution is not nearly as important.</p>
<p>You will find peers in a broad variety of schools, and your state U will have many very smart students who have chosen the more financially viable option. Unless you think the honors program is not going to be adequate, I would go with less expensive state U.</p>
<p>But I would check the curricula at your respective choices closely. Sometimes the difference between a very specialized and more specific degree is only a few courses, ones that are easily picked up in grad school. Or perhaps at cheaper state U you will have more opportunities for study abroad, internship, etc., depending on location and major, that will offset the lack of specific courses.</p>
<p>You will belong somewhere for four years. You will have a job for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>But it would help if you said what schools A and B actually are…</p>
<p>Looks like OP is from NJ and got into Lehigh. </p>
<p>So I imagine that school A is Lehigh. Top public school in NJ would be Rutgers-NB, but ‘not nearly as well-known’ as Lehigh sounds like TCNJ. I would venture that school B is TCNJ, but I wouldn’t call it the top public school in NJ.</p>