<p>I posted recently about my struggle to choose which college to go to -- Bates, Colby, Tufts, UVA, Wesleyan, W&M. The response was largely for Wesleyan and Tufts. However, due to various money things and the fact that I won't be able to visit has pretty much knocked Tufts from the list. I found it to be very interesting, but just a little too unknown. Bates, Colby, and UVA have also been eliminated. This leaves Wesleyan and William & Mary...and I am stuck!</p>
<p>I have really concrete reasons for W&M. I like the campus, it's fairly close to home, and I was accepted into the honors program, which gives me tons of great things, like grants for travel and research, great financial aid, and access to professors. The grants and aid is great because I am not rich.</p>
<p>Wesleyan on the other hand seems riskier. It's further from home and more expensive. My one visit was a rainy day during fall break, so I haven't really "seen" it. I don't know what access I'll have to grants and travel and professors. But I get these feelings like I'll like the students there more --- I want to be around people who are fiercely curious, creative, and smart. I get the feeling that it could be a place where I really fit in. But those are not concrete reasons, they're just feelings, and feelings can be wrong.</p>
<p>My mind is saying W&M is the smart choice, but part of me says Wesleyan is the one. I worry that I'd be throwing away a great opportunity with either choice. Ultimately I don't know if anyone can provide any help with this, but I just need to express this somehow and hope that somebody can give me a revelation!</p>
<p>You mention grants for financial aid. I assume you've already received your FA packages: what is the difference in cost? </p>
<p>I will probably be too biased (for Wesleyan) to give you helpful advice. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that Wesleyan is a small school, so you probably won't have too much difficulty getting to travel and research and receive grants. Somebody that actually attends Wes can probably give you a better idea though.</p>
<p>OP, you said of Tufts:
[quote]
I found it to be very interesting, but just a little too unknown.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Really?</p>
<p>And why are you basing your college choices on what the Layman thinks? Crossing a school of your list for finaid reasons makes sense—this does not.</p>
<p>Both are great schools. You will get a great education either way. When I was trying to chose whether to apply to Brown or Wes early, my college advisor told me to flip a coin, and then sleep on the answer I got. If I woke up dissapointed, I should chose the other school. I flipped Brown, woke up dissapointed, applied to Wes even though Brown made more "sense" given my plus/minus list, got in, and haven't regreted it for a minute.</p>
<p>My point is: I think the gut feeling is really important. Try the coin toss trick, see how you feel. </p>
<p>(Though if money is a major factor, you might need to consider that).</p>
<p>To me, the finances, travel, access to professors along with with your liking the school best indicates that W&M may be the best choice for you.</p>
<p>Lolabelle, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. I eliminated Tufts mostly because of money and little knowledge about it. It's a two day trip, gave me the least financial aid, and has the highest deposit (I'm on the waiting list for Brown, so a high deposit is bad just in case I get off of it). Plus, I've never visited. So while I found the things I read about it appealing, there were just too many negatives. That's why I eliminated it. It wasn't an easy elimination, but I felt all those facts combined was a sign.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses...I'll definitely try the coin-flip and see if it can get me moving on my decision! In terms of finances, Wesleyan and W&M will both be affordable for me, but W&M will still cost a fairly significant amount (few thousand-ish) less -- plus, no loans. Anyway, I'm still thinking, still researching...thanks!</p>
<p>Xiphias if FA is really that much of an issue then you are right to eliminate Tufts. However if the issue of the deposit being high is at all a factor i urge you to reconsider. I too am on Brown's waitlist and would absolutely love to get in, but its just downright foolish to eliminate a school based on a deposit (or long trip to visit for the matter) if it is a real academic powerhouse. Of the schools I considered to deposit at (Cornell, W&M, Tufts, and Georgetown), i.e. attend next year, I choose the one with the largest deposit value by far which was Georgetown, $300 more than Tufts'. </p>
<p>If Tufts is truly out for Financial reasons (which was a good portion of the reason I threw it out) then W&M all the way. It has an amazing reputation and being a Monroe Scholar (i assume thats what u mean by the honors program) is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up for Wesleyan.</p>
<p>"I want to be around people who are fiercely curious, creative, and smart."</p>
<p>If you want this, you don't get a much better match than Wesleyan. I can only think of a handful of schools in the country who epitomize this definition (the only one which I think would fit it more might be University of Chicago)</p>
<p>That being said, you do seem more inclined to go to W&M, and if that's the case, then by all means go there, but I think Wesleyan is a great, great choice</p>
<p>What might make the most sense on paper isn't necessarily what will make you happy.</p>
<p>Yes, Wesleyan is somewhat of a risk. It always is-- it's a fantastic school and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else, but you will be challenged to think about new things OUTSIDE of the classroom. The campus culture is such that you WILL become aware of issues you never knew existed before coming here. </p>
<p>"fiercely curious, creative, and smart" is what we are.</p>