@KSmith2 So many reasons. Maybe some see Northwestern as a “brand,” but there are real reasons that it is known as a top college that produces top journalists.
Missouri and UNC are state schools. You will be among mostly in-staters. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. But if you have the opportunity to be among a more diverse student body, it is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Have you considered transportation? Flying to Chicago is simple. Getting to Columbia, MO, not so much. Unless DFW is your home airport, which would be lucky for you. I don’t know about Raleigh-Durham, but it can’t possibly be as easy as any airport in Texas to Chicago.
With Northwestern, you have the city of Chicago at your doorstep, easily accessible by the El. So many opportunities for internships.
And, as many other posters have said, if you change your mind you have the rest of Northwestern!
@MYOS1634 - I’m sure, my parents and I have discussed it already. 
That’s very true – I know that if I change majors at NU, I’ll still be set as compared to being “stuck” at Mizzou. Thank you!
@brantly - My two older sisters both attend the University of Notre Dame, so my family and I are definitely no stranger to having to drive two+ hours to get to the school…but you make a very valid point, especially since I live nine+ hours from Dallas/Houston airports by car (the curse of living in a big state, lol). Having Chicago so close would be extremely beneficial, particularly since I want to go into journalism. Thank you!
OP, NU also has an amazing journalism residency program for Medill students. You spend a quarter in a news setting anywhere in the world really and you make awesome connections. Many students are offered jobs from their residency.
@CaliCash I’ve heard about that! That sounds absolutely incredible. Are you a NU grad?
@KSmith2 Current freshman! We have satellite schools is Qatar (which is next to and somewhat similar to Dubai) and we’re opening one in San Francisco next year. Medill also has strong connections in South Africa.
@CaliCash That’s incredible! Not many schools can boast of such great opportunities. I’ve definitely been leaning towards NU either way, almost sold on it now. What are the classes like at Medill so far?
The classes are tough, but they do a great job of giving the feel of being an actual journalist. NU’s debate team uses the phrase “baptism by fire” to describe what it’s like for new debaters being thrown into a competitive debate tournament. And as such, we have the #1 debate team in the country. I guess you could apply the same phrase to being a Medill student lol. In our Intro Reporting and Writing course, there are a ton of deadlines and assignments that have you going out on the street to do real reporting. It’s tough, but that’s why Medill journalists end up being so great. Have you visited?
@CaliCash I haven’t yet. 
Unfortunately, I’m not able to attend Wildcat Days because the dates allotted conflicted with my schedule so I’ll be taking the admitted student tour in about two weeks. The classes do sound really tough, but like you said, I suppose it’ll make us all great journalists in the end which’ll definitely be worth it. What kind of journalism are you on the path to study at Medill?