UCLA vs. Georgetown

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've visited both schools... I'm going again next week. I didn't outright dislike either of them... I guess that's why I'm having this problem. :) Anyway, I want to major in linguistics or Japanese. I love music, ancient history, literature, languages, movies, international stuff. I want to work or study abroad after college, but I don't know exactly what profession I'll go into. Cost doesn't matter. I live in the California Bay Area.</p>

<p>UCLA
Pros:
-It's a larger university that could offer me more languages to choose from (i.e., it has Dutch)
-Great linguistics program
-Easier to get home
-It has those interesting courses in ancient studies
-It's in a really awesome place for anything related to the movie industry</p>

<p>Cons:
-Large public school, less individualized attention
-The people - I'm kind of sick of all the self-segregation between whites and Asians at my high school.
-It's still in California. I'd feel like I didn't push myself hard enough to go somewhere new.
-I don't really like LA in general</p>

<p>Georgetown
Pros:
-Amazing language program
-Private, smaller university
-It's in a different part of the country
-International bent of the school</p>

<p>Cons:
-The social scene - I'm not sure if I'd fit in with all those partiers, and I'm not exactly preppy
-The religion - I'm Jewish and not religious at all
-Weather - I'm a little afraid of that snow and I get cold easily
-Far from home - I don't know if I want to pack up and fly for 5 hours so often...
-I've heard some iffy things about the linguistics program (that the different sections [like, say, morphology/syntax] are too separate from each other)
-There's a freakin' jet pathway right above the campus. </p>

<p>Anyway, what do you think? I appreciate all input :) Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I know lots of people decide between Berkeley and Georgetown, so I'd imagine this would be a common decision too. Any thoughts? Thanks!</p>

3

<p>Data mostly drawn from USNWR</p>

<p>OBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Undergraduate Enrollment:
Georgetown: 6719 UCLA: 24,811</p>

<h1>and % of students who are in-state:</h1>

<p>Georgetown: na UCLA: 23,570 (95%)</p>

<p>Cost (Tuition & Fees):
Georgetown: $34,110 UCLA: $6,504 in-state</p>

<p>Graduation & Retention Rank
Georgetown: 8th UCLA: 24th
-% of Students expected to graduate in 6 years:
Georgetown: 90% UCLA: 88%
-% of students who do graduate in 6 years:
Georgetown: 93% UCLA: 87%</p>

<p>Faculty Resources Rank:
Georgetown: 40th UCLA: 50th
-% of classes with 50+ students
Georgetown: 8% UCLA: 21%
-% of classes with <20 students
Georgetown: 57% UCLA: 51%
-Faculty/student ratio
Georgetown: 11/1 UCLA: 18/1 </p>

<p>Student Selectivity Rank:
Georgetown: 15th UCLA: 17th<br>
-Average SAT/ACT:
Georgetown: 1290-1490 UCLA: 1170-1410
-% of students ranking in top 10% of high school class
Georgetown: 86% UCLA: 97%
-% acceptance rate
Georgetown: 22% UCLA: 27% </p>

<h1>of NMS Finalists from 2005:</h1>

<p>Georgetown: 48 (2.8%) UCLA: 114</p>

<h1>of 1500 scorers enrolled:</h1>

<p>Georgetown: 1478 UCLA: 2791 </p>

<p>Financial Resources Rank:
Georgetown: 34th UCLA: 24th </p>

<p>Alumni Giving % and Rank:
Georgetown: 32% (23rd) UCLA: 15% (105th)</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Peer Assessment:
Georgetown: 4.1 UCLA: 4.3</p>

<p>The data above probably doesn't tell you much that you don't already know. UCLA, at four times the size, but less than 1/5 of the cost. That cost number is a pretty big difference and it isn't like UCLA would ever be a bad choice. </p>

<p>You know California well, so not much need to comment there, but your perceptions of DC may be a bit off. While you may be a little scared of the snow, the biggest difference you will encounter is the humidity. This is a BIG difference and is most sharply seen in the winter and summer months. Spring and fall in DC are quite pleasant and having the four seasons will be a change for a Bay Area girl (even if you come from Contra Costa or similar area). Georgetown is on the Potomac which is used by airlines as a guidepath for Reagan National airport. I've never heard this concern before and not meaning to dismiss it, but it is probably even less relevant than an East Coaster being scared of California earthquakes. As for DC as a city to have fun in, get internships in, live in after school, I think the only place better is your home area. Others, however, have had some different views on DC. President Kennedy once described DC as "having the efficiency of the South and the charm of the North." Enjoy your visits and good luck to you.</p>