<p>I’m doing my college search and want to hear some opinions about these few universities.</p>
<li>The neuroscience programme simply.</li>
<li>Chemical engineering / pharmacy course. </li>
<li>Cost and financial aid.<br></li>
<li>ECAs. Basically, I’m hoping to go to an exciting place. </li>
<li>Opportunities for internships. </li>
<li>Prospects of getting into a good grad school after undergrad studies. </li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks alot!</p>
<p>All 4 are good schools for what you want to study. UCLA and USC are large, urban universities--very different from the smaller, more intimate campuses of Rochester and Brandeis. I'm not a big fan of LA (people either love it or hate it; I'm in the latter category) and I particularly don't like USC's location.
Rochester is a fine school but you have to be able to tolerate a lot of cold and snow. Many people don't care for its location. Brandeis is right outside of Boston (on a commuter rail line). Many people think of Boston as the best college town there is (put me in that category).</p>
<p>Of those 4, I'd go to Brandeis--</p>
<p>Keep in mind that at UCLA you will probably not get any financial aid -- it is a public school and its financial aid money is for California residents. If you are looking at applying for financial aid, check out each school's policies very closely, since in general, it is tough for international students to receive scholarship/fa money.</p>
<p>Thank you! Financial aid is a crucial thing for me... Hmm... Is Rochester a public school as well?</p>
<p>Rochester is not a public school. The only public school out of the four is UCLA. Well, I am attending Rochester in the fall, and I will probably be focusing on neuroscience, and I hope to get involved in the many research opportunities available on campus. In fact, I was deciding between Brandeis and Rochester. Brandeis' campus is not very appealing to someone like me who appreciates the more traditional feel. Rochester, besides having a beautiful campus, is very strong in the sciences, and it has a great deal to offer in terms of internship opportunities etc. I don't know very much about USC or UCLA, though I have visited both. The campuses are relatively nice, but nothing that I would deem particularly special.</p>
<p>Hey DavieWeinberg, may I ask why you chose to attend Rochester and how's the neuroscience programme there? </p>
<p>I'd also like to ask if you will receive any financial aid? Do you know which university, Brandeis or Rochester, is more generous in terms of need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarships to freshmen, especially international students? </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I visited both Brandeis and Rochester a few months ago and Rochester simply clicked with me. However, I also know that it is an excellent place for pre-med students. Another passion of mine is music, and with the Eastman Conservatory comes an invaluable resource for me to pursue this as well. I'm not exactly sure how the neuroscience program in particular is good, but I'm sure it is. There is a unique major called brain and cognitive sciences, and this may mean that the related field of neuroscience is relatively good. As far as financial aid, Brandeis is the clear winner. Still, the aid from each university was close enough to dismiss itself as a critical factor in my ultimate decision. Of course, it all depends on how much your demonstrated need is. I'm very low middle class, and I received about 46,000 from Brandeis. For Rochester, the initial package was around the same, but after all of the financial forms were finalized, it came out to a little less than 40,000 year. Still, that's not bad... but I would expect Brandeis to give more money. I'm not so sure about merit-based scholarships or how being an international student might affect awards. Good luck! Hope this helps a bit!</p>
<p>Thank you very much! :)</p>