USC vs. Columbia vs. Northwestern vs. UC Berkeley

[blueglueguy]

<p>Hi, I'm deciding between:
Columbia SEAS (Egleston Scholar)
Northwestern McCormick (Murphy Scholar)
USC Viterbi (VIterbi Fellow + Trustee Scholarship)
UC Berkeley (in-state)</p>

<p>I'm a Civil Engineering major at all four schools. Not completely set on civil, but as of right now, I think it's the discipline I'm most interested. I like the idea of being able to change majors. USC would be the cheapest option, followed by Cal, and then Columbia and Northwestern, but my family can afford each choice. I'm not a stereotypical fraternity guy, but I'd be open to consider joining one if Greek life is the main social center of campus. I'd probably want to get involved with research and/or internships, and while I'm up for a challenge, I don't think I'd do well in cutthroat, competitive, grade deflationary environments.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

[UCBChemEGrad]

<p>Civil engineering is far from cutthroat…it’s civil.
Have you visited the campuses?</p>

<p>Cal’s civil engineering program is a standout among your other choices.</p>

[actstudent]

<p>I got trustee at USC and was deciding between USC, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt. I went with SC!</p>