<p>Hi, i've been accepted by these 2 unis, but now i'm in a dillemma..>_<</p>
<p>i'm planning to major in Biology, hopefully concentrating on plant bio and/or environmental science... </p>
<p>factors i'm considering: major, academic strength, weather (i'm from tropics and like clear days and can't stand the cold T.T though i know both places are freakin cold), student happiness and campus safety...</p>
<p>besides anything else that might be important..</p>
<p>since i'm not from the US, i can only base my opinion on rankings/other ppl's advice, so can u guys please help me out with firsthand info? thanksssss.......</p>
<p>Be aware of massive budget cuts affecting UW. There will be real problems with overcrowding in classes and dorms. The extent of these cuts is still unknown, but it is clear that they will be severe.</p>
<p>Seattle is not freaking cold at all. It is often wet and grey in the winter. Chicago <em>is</em> freaking cold. Seattle is absolutely beautiful in the summer. If you are from the tropics, Chicago’s heat and humidity in the summer may not be a problem.</p>
<p>Student happiness is high on both campuses. Both schools have an active social scene and high fraternity/sorority participation.</p>
<p>Northwestern is going to be more cutthroat and competitive due to the caliber of students there, but UW will still give you a high quality education, without 90 % of the student body being completely focused on their grades. </p>
<p>However, Northwestern has more prestige than UW, so if you get a 3.8 at Northwestern, it’ll look much better than a 3.8 at UW, and will give you a leg up in grad school admissions accordingly. </p>
<p>A little more about Seattle, it’s a really nice place. Yes, it does rain a lot, but otherwise, very mild weather. Most winters, we’ll get into the 20s for maybe a few weeks, but otherwise it’s going to be high 30s and mostly 40s. ‘Warm’ days are usually 60s and 70s, although summer will touch 80s a few times each year. </p>
<p>The place is really eco-friendly, and has a very active community. Great parks system, and you’ll always see tons of people out on the streets, even when it’s overcast. Overall, definitely a good city to live in. </p>
<p>I’ve never been to Evanston, but my mom went to Northwestern for grad school, and rest assured, it will be COLD. It’ll regularly go sub-0 F, and it will snow a ton. Most people get used to it within their first year though, so it’s not that big a deal in my opinion (I was considering University of Michigan, and wasn’t really phased by the prospect of the frigid weather).</p>
<p>^^ Seattle can touch the 90’s a few times a year (not just the 80s)</p>
<p>thanks for the help~~ ^^ i appreciate it</p>
<p>looks like both places are good…but i think i’ll opt for northwestern…</p>
<p>brace myself for the freakin coldness >.<</p>