<p>Hi! I've come to terms with the fact that I really should decide where I'm going to be going next year. UCLA, Rice, and UPenn are my options. Here are the factors I'm concerned with.</p>
<p>I. Strength of both neuroscience and linguistic programs</p>
<p>II. Social scene (I really would like to party once in a while. I don't want a CRAZY party scene, though)</p>
<p>III. Greek Life shouldn't be the main focus on campus. I don't mind its presence, I just don't want it to take over.</p>
<p>IV. Competitiveness: I understand that these are good schools and that they will be tough. i just don't want CUT THROAT.</p>
<p>V. Weather (I like warm weather, mostly. Houston is too hot, LA is just about right)</p>
<p>VI. Prestige</p>
<p>VII. Grade deflation? </p>
<p>VIII. Sports (spectator, of course...)</p>
<p>At this point, UCLA would cost 28,000 a year. UPenn would cost 38,000, and Rice would cost 40,000. Cost really isn't an issue, but y'all on this site always ask!</p>
<p>AYO CC HELP A GAL OUT.</p>
<p>It’s at the bottom of the original post</p>
<p>At this point, UCLA would cost 28,000 a year. UPenn would cost 38,000, and Rice would cost 40,000. Cost really isn’t an issue, but y’all on this site always ask!</p>
<p>UCLA is #3 in linguistics and #14 in neurosciences.
Penn is #5 in linguistics and #10 in neurosciences</p>
<p>Rice is not in the top 20 in either field and it’s hot.</p>
<p>All items from I-VIII are reasonable comparable. Penn is a private school so that is a plus, UCLA is a public school.</p>
<p>@DrGoogle It’s so hard to say no to Rice. It’s been my dream school. I like the environment, the city, and the opportunities at the medical center. If I were to transfer to biology rather than neuroscience, what would you suggest?</p>
<p>To be honest with you, UCLA and Penn have top medical programs so I would think their biology programs are top notch too. I did google undergraduate rankings for biology and UCLA was a few notch higher than Penn to confirm my statement above. I didn’t see Rice in the list.
However, Rice is a great school, both of my nieces went there, one graduated with a biology major but is now a lawyer. But according to your first post, you didn’t like the heat so I thought it’s best to eliminate it. You need to know what you can tolerate.
BTW, my daughter received a free application from Rice but didn’t apply because she knew even if she was accepted she wouldn’t go there because of the heat.</p>
<p>I am honestly really conflicted. In my heart, I want to go to Rice, but don’t know if
- I want to sacrifice IVY LEAGUE education
- I want to sacrifice being in LA (where the bulk of my family is)
- I CAN DEAL WITH THE HEAT.</p>
<p>This is such a hard decision 
dk lfjads; fjd</p>
<p>If someone asked you to rank the three in terms of prestige, what would you do? Just out of curiosity… @drgoogle</p>
<p>followed by… @DrGoogle </p>
<p>Ooo. Also, I have most family in LA, a few close relatives in TX, and none in Philly.</p>
<p>Now I’m leaning toward UCLA…</p>
<p>It’s probably a good idea to stay in LA, because if we have the same polar vortex for winter in the East Coast this year, UCLA is good choice. My niece says food is great at UCLA.</p>
<p>Hahahahah indeed…
OKAY! Gonna talk it over with my family, but I think UCLA it is! </p>
<p>You may want to repost on the Ivy League Penn forum. </p>