<p>Sorry to annoy everyone with yet another one of these, but I'm having a really tough time deciding. Chicago's been my dream school, but I don't know if it's worth it, as I'm instate for William and Mary and was admitted as a Monroe Scholar. But Chicago gave me a $10,000 merit scholarship, which helps financially and indicates that they are perhaps as interested in me as I am in them. The more I look at them, the more similar they seem and the more confused I get. Help!!!</p>
<p>In case you haven’t seen it, there was this thread a couple of years ago: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/464873-w-m-vs-uchicago.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/464873-w-m-vs-uchicago.html</a></p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think the discussion was that valuable, as it was mostly speculation on the whole “which school is going to look better on a law school application” question, which is pretty much a waste of time.</p>
<p>I agree with you that W&M and Chicago are very similar academically (with Northwestern being the UVA to Chicago’s W&M), and I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity to have a great experience at either school. Despite what others might say, I don’t think there’s any way to quantify how “strong” academically either school is, or how their names will look to others on a grad school application or resume. I do think it’s safe to say that if you make the most of your experience, wherever you are, it won’t matter which school you choose. </p>
<p>It sounds to me that the extra cost of Chicago, while a factor, is not a deal breaker, nor is the Monroe necessarily a deal maker. So how about things like location, student body, and extracurricular opportunities? Is it important for you to be close to home? Chicago is going to be urban, with all the things that a big city offers, and with a more geographically diverse student body, though from my experience Chicago and W&M seem to attract the same type of student–bright, studious, slightly non-conformist.</p>
<p>Personally, as a W&M alum, I would love to see you go to W&M. They offered you the Monroe because they don’t want to lose you. But you also called Chicago your dream school. I think that’s pretty telling, don’t you? Go with your heart on this one. Besides, you can always transfer if it doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>My final decision was also between W&M and Chicago. I chose W&M largely for financial reasons, but I’m very happy with my decision.</p>
<p>I think W&M is not quite as stressful as Chicago, although both are pretty high up there. Faculty are probably more accessible here, but we don’t have the superstars Chicago does. We’re not in the middle of a big city, so there is less to do off-campus, but we also don’t need security guards for our dormitories.</p>
<p>Do you know what you want to major in? This could be important in your decision. If you want to study Tibetan or something like that you’re better of at Chicago.</p>
<p>Unless you just love the Chicago/Southside experience and dont mind paying significantly more money, choose W&M.</p>
<p>Definitely go for W&M. It’s 100k cheaper for you and you’ll be glad to have the cash at the end for grad school or really anything. Both are considered top institutions and unless you’re going into law prestige doesn’t even matter for grad school (unless you have the same GPA). Uchicago is a great school but has a low yield rate for a reason. It’s extremely cold and you have some issues with crime. If you really love the city don’t go to W&M but otherwise I think the 100k seals the deal. As a Monroe scholar you’ll also be surrounded in another bubble inside a bubble which could be appealing I guess. </p>
<p>You also get 2,500 dollars every summer to do independent research at W&M and I think you might stand out a bit more at W&M. College rankings are largely irrelevant beyond “really good school” which both of these are. In today’s economy getting out debt free should be your #1 priority, if you can manage getting out with a surplus that’s obviously even better. Good luck.</p>
<p>In the movie, Adventures in Babysitting, the heroine stumbles upon a wild party at the University of Chicago. Friends of mine who attended U of C wanted to know where that party was since they never saw one. My impression is that U of C students are not a happy group. U of C is also primarily a graduate school, while W&M is primarily an undergraduate school that emphasizes good teaching.</p>
<p>That’s actually kind of interesting, 10,000 grad and 5,000 undergrad. I didn’t know it was that bad for undergrads lol.</p>
<p>Please do not think that W&M wants you less. W&M simply doesn’t have the scholarship funds that U. Chicago does. The Monroe Scholarship is only given to the top 5% of W&M’s applicant pool and is W&M’s way of acknowledging the exceptional accomplishments of those students. It W&M’s way of saying “we want you”.</p>
<p>In the end, you and your family must make the best decision for you financially and via fit and you have two great options. There are certainly differences between the two schools especially in location but both provide exceptional educations with lots of opportunities for research (which the Monroe Scholarship gives you in spades).</p>