UW vs. UCLA vs. BC vs. Northeastern

<p>I am incredibly indecisive and am having trouble deciding where to go. I am also going to college without any firm intentions for what I want to study. I have been interested in the idea of being a doctor (as my dad was) but have always found the humanities more interesting (and my parents have said they see a potential lawyer in me). I'm a WA-state resident so I would get in-state tuition to UW (total cost ~ 25K). I was surprised to be accepted to UCLA and have family in various parts of California (though I didn't get any aid - total cost ~ 55K). I was also accepted to my mom's alma mater Boston College but did not receive any aid (total cost ~ 60K). Northeastern also accepted me to their honors program as well as a scholarship of 10 K a year (total cost ~ 46K). My mom says she will let me go wherever I want to but I do not want to go into debt horribly. Sadly, my parents fall into the income bracket where they make enough that I don't get any aid, but they don't make enough to easily foot the bill for college. Will my interest in going to a professional school be hindered by large public research schools (and their difficult curves) and will I be better served to go a private now? Thank you for any input.</p>

<p>Given the price of medical and law school, saving money by going to perfectly respectable UW makes sense. GPA and MCAT or LSAT scores are very important for medical and law school admissions. [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com%5DNational”&gt;http://www.gradeinflation.com]National</a> Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities<a href=“at%20the%20bottom”>/url</a> may help you compare grade inflation at various schools (but consider the context of how competitive the students are at each school).</p>

<p>You can major in humanities and take the pre-med courses alongside if you like. Law school does not have any particular major or course requirements, but it is interesting to note that math, physics, and philosophy majors tend to do well on the LSAT, compared to English and political science majors.</p>

<p>I agree with UCBAlumnus on this one. UCLA is a better school than UW, but it is not $120,000 better, particularly with the cutbacks going on in California.</p>

<p>BC is also probably a better school, but not worth that differential. And I am not even sure that Northeastern is better than UW. Just because it is private does not mean it is better. Northeastern is quite large for a private (it used to be the largest private university) and, although it has become much more selective than it used to be, it may not be better and, even if it is, the differential in price is clearly not worth it.</p>

<p>Go to UW!! UCLA is clearly the best of your choices (I’m a Bruin wink wink), but not by much. All 3 schools are amazing. UW is very well respected and has a beautiful campus. Since there is a clear difference in $ I say go there…be happy, save money, be proud it’s UW =)</p>

<p>None UW would be my 2nd choice all things being equal from your list - but they are not so this is easily UW (UCLA would be my 1)</p>

<p>Bump. Any additional input from others? Thanks.</p>