What college experience should I go for? (kiwi exchange student)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am a first-year history student at a university in New Zealand. My degree lasts 4-years and involves a year abroad in the third year. We have been told to think about where we'd like to go in order to submit our applications as soon as year 2 begins to save it biting into learning time and I am unsure what experience I want. There are 3 routes I wish to go down but I can only pick one:</p>

<ol>
<li>Attend a university on the east coast that is close to DC and other east coast cities (e.g. Georgetown, George Mason, Rutgers).</li>
<li>Attend a university in a location that not many foreigners will travel too for a unique experience (e.g. Ole Miss, LSU, Kansas, Arizona).</li>
<li>Attend a prestigious university regardless of location because it will enrich my CV (e.g. Notre Dame, UIUC).</li>
</ol>

<p>Now my university has over 40 partners spread out across the US. I am not particularly interested in the California or Florida schools because of a) expense and b) the states don't appeal to/interest me.</p>

<p>I need to shortlist 10, but I am going to go into more depth in the summer; I'd just like some input from you guys as to what route you suggest I'd take.</p>

<p>Going to the east coast would be great to be able to frequently visit major US cities and be in the most historically rich region stateside. However, it's not a unique experience and I'll have opportunity to visit DC and NY when I am older.</p>

<p>Going to a unique location is my top choice because I want to go somewhere completely different to home. However, these schools tend to be in isolated locations and are very fratty, something I dislike.</p>

<p>Going to a prestigious institution like Notre Dame offers opportunity to travel to Chicago a few times and is a good school. But this is the only exemption, the other prestigious universities are either in California or isolated college towns.</p>

<p>I'd like to pick 10 that adhere to one of the routes so I have a clear notion in my head where I am going.</p>

<p>So, from what I have said... Do you have any advice for? </p>

2

<p>can you give us your list of all universities you could consider?</p>

<p>in the US, there aren’t trains in each city. It’s difficult to travel around if you don’t have a car. The East Coast has an advantage because you can take a train that goes DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC, Boston. But in most places you’ll have to schedule long hours on a bus and make friends with cars :).</p>

<p>For something uniquely American, don’t discount LACs.</p>

<p>Just so you know, as far as prestige goes, Georgetown > Notre Dame >> UIUC. I agree that for an exchange year prestige is of no utility though. Location (in particular, ease of travel) is a better criterion, as is the ability to discover American culture, American history…</p>

3

<p>I’d go for Georgetown even though I don’t think DC is any cheaper than FL or CA. You can’t beat the location with its access to the east coast cities as you’ve noted. </p>

4

<p>I honestly don’t think your study abroad university “enriches your CV” all that much. What matters is where you got your own BA.</p>

<p>I agree with the advice about the trains. I don’t think there’s a train that goes from South Bend to Chicago. You might be able to get a Greyhound bus. If you don’t want to be somewhere isolated, then don’t do Ole Miss - Oxford is a small college town not nearby any large cities. LSU is in Baton Rouge, which is actually a relatively large city (population = 800,000). I’m pretty sure Lawrence, KS (where Kansas is) is an isolated college town - it’s kind of medium-sized. But LSU, Ole Miss, and KU are sort of the stereotypical/traditional college experience that people see and expect from television. UIUC, too.</p>

<p>With that said, if I was doing an exchange year I’d want to study somewhere with good access to public transit (so I could travel elsewhere in the city and the country) and an urban area with access to cultural activities (so I could see what was important to the folk who lived there). Don’t assume that you can just come back - it’s much easier to travel abroad and really immerse yourself culturally when you are in college than after, and living in DC as an exchange student is quite different from visiting for a few days.</p>

<p>So given your choices, I’d choose an East Coast city on the Northeast Corridor that gave me the opportunity to hop on Amtrak and visit other East Coast cities for weekend trips. Out of the three you presented, personally I would choose Georgetown - great university, right in the heart of DC in a great DC neighborhood - but as I understand it it still has a traditional campus. From DC you could easily access New York, Philadelphia, and even Boston. You could also take Amtrak further South if you wanted to - to Richmond (2 hrs), Raleigh (6 hours), Charlotte (9 hours) and if you were up for it, Atlanta (13 hours). Although honestly if you were going to pay for Amtrak to Atlanta from DC, you might as well just get on a flight - it’ll be about the same price, but 2 hours instead of 13!</p>

5

<p>If I were you, I’d choose to either stay somewhere close to Boston or NYC. Those are both iconic american cities - and while I don’t want to make a dig at our nation’s capital (which really should have never been our capital!), I think that Boston and NYC have a lot more to offer. </p>

<p>Boston specifically has a lot of very strong schools surrounding it, and a huge population of college kids. It’s considered one of the best places to be a college student. </p>

6

<p>Another vote here for the Eastern seaboard - DC, NY, Boston. You can see so much of the country from those locations via car, train, bus or plane. If you are less interested in an urban school and are looking for a more traditional campus - look at a school like the University of Virginia. You’ll get life in a college town, college sports like football, tradition and history and prestige, and the bonus of an Amtrak station right off campus that gives you access to the large northern cities and the southern cities, plus buses to the mountains and the beach/Atlantic ocean. </p>

7

<p>Full list of partners:</p>

<p>University of Alaska, Anchorage
University of Arizona
Binghamton University - State University of New York
University of California
University of Colorado, Boulder
Univer
Florida International University
Framingham State University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Goucher College
University of Hawai’i
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Kansas
Louisiana State University
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts
Middlebury College
University of Minnesota
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri, Columbia
University of Missouri, St Louis
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Wilmington
University of Notre Dame
Occidental College
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
State University of New York: Plattsburgh
University of Redlands
Reed College
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
Roanoke College
Rutgers - the State University of New Jersey
San Francisco State University
Stetson University
St Olaf College
University of Texas, San Marcos
Temple University
Tulane University
University of Utah
Westminster College</p>

<hr>

<p>Georgetown has 1 place open and it is VERY VERY VERY VERY HARD to get that space. Hundred odd kids competing for it and the highest scorer gets it. I am smart but not the highest scorer.</p>

<p>Notre Dame is the same but not as competitive.</p>

<p>I don’t know whether or not I’d like the east coast much. It seems too urban and grimy for me. I like the look of the western US/midwestern. I have family in Redmond, WA and Seattle so I’d like to be near those cities too.</p>

<p>From what I’ve said now - what, say, 5 would you suggest?</p>

<p>I am currently leaning towards:</p>

<p>Arizona
Colorado
Kansas
New Mexico
Utah</p>

<p>Because they all have interesting history and are more west coast.</p>

<p>Also, as in terms of the attitudes of the locals. I am concerned about the political views outcasting me, so I took a test Republican or Democrat and one said I was a moderate Republican the other said I should vote for Obama (2012 election). From that where would you advise? :)</p>

8

<p>Are there any states on that list that are in states that have a really boring history? I am expected to research a topic of local interest whilst away, that’s why I am looking for an “exotic” location :slight_smile: Everyone seems to be focusing on civil war, civil rights or revolutionary stuff. I am thinking Hispanic influence on the USA, foreigners in the Old West, mormon Utah or something to do with liberalism and the west coast</p>

9

<p>Kansas is NOT west coast. Really… pick another state. </p>

<p>I have to side with the posters above that say you will have a more varied and interesting experience with a Northeast corridor school (and I am not from that part of the country). Also, which University of California school? That would make a difference in my opinion.</p>

<p>If I had to pick the top locations & interesting schools from that list, removing Georgetown because it is so hard to get into, it would be (alphabetical, just pared down from your list above):</p>

<p>Binghamton University - State University of New York
University of California (depends on which location, though)
University of Colorado, Boulder
Goucher College
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts (assuming this is Amherst location?)
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Occidental College
University of Oregon
San Francisco State University
Tulane University</p>

<p>“Interesting history” only takes you so far. You can really learn about the history of any region once you get there. Don’t waste your opportunity of a year here in a location where you won’t see or do much outside the college. I don’t think you realize how far apart things are in the states you have listed and how difficult it will be to travel and see more.</p>

10

<p>Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Middlebury are probably the most selective colleges on your list. Both have excellent reputations. Middlebury is rural (so no concerns about “gritty” east coast cities)</p>

11

<p>@intparent: I do realise the vastness of the country :slight_smile: I just don’t know if the East Coast is where I’d really like to be… I know Kansas is not west coast but it has an interesting history IMO (Depression era and frontier). </p>

<p>What would you say about Reed College?</p>

<p>Also, I know it’s not USA but University of British Columbia?</p>

<p>Why did you take AZ and NM off the suggestions? I’d like to get some views on those potential top choices :slight_smile: Thank you!</p>

12

<p>I can say that the University of Richmond is beautiful, very idyllic and no where close to be grimy. It’s about a 15 minute drive from the campus to downtown Richmond, which is the state Capitol of Virginia and was the historic Capitol of the Confederacy during the Civil War. You can also catch Amtak in Richmond and get up and down the coast. You’d also be 2 hours to the Beach, 2 hours to the mountains, and less than 2 hours to DC. </p>

13

<p>“What would you say about Reed College?”</p>

<p>Reed college is an extremely rigorous college that you should probably only consider if you want an intensely academic environment. If you’re worried about keeping your GPA up, I’d be wary of this one - though it would probably provide a fantastic educational experience. The campus is also located in a nice forested area. </p>

14

<p>CU Boulder would be an excellent choice. Boulder is fairly close to Denver and a great college town in its own right. Lots of activities in and around campus as well as plenty of fascinating history in the state. UNM and Utah are both somewhat commuter institutions and may not give you as much of the traditional American university experience as you’d get at either Colorado, Arizona, or Oregon. One of the benefits of UO is that it’s possible to go to Portland during a longer weekend via just the train. </p>

<p>Of the schools on your list, here are the ones I’d recommend:
-University of Arizona
-University of Colorado, Boulder
-Goucher College
-University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
-University of Oregon (lots of Seattle kids go to Oregon, so it’s may be possible to get a ride to your relatives during school holidays)
-University of Richmond
-Rutgers - the State University of New Jersey
-Tulane University</p>

<p>All are located in regions of the country with interesting histories. For the record, Utah and New Mexico are nowhere near the West Coast. </p>

15

<p>Kind of biased because I’m from the East Coast, but the entire East Coast isn’t urban and grimy, lol. There’s a lot of suburban stretch between the cities on the East Coast, and even the cities themselves aren’t that grimy. With that said, though, a lot of the other places besides Georgetown aren’t really in interesting places on the East Coast. Richmond is - Richmond is a nice city - but URichmond is actually a rigorous small liberal arts college, which may not be what you want. New Brunswick (Rutgers) is actually a bit grimy, lol. I have a friend who goes there and they have mixed feelings about the city. Chapel Hill is a nice college town.</p>

<p>Honestly, I think given some of the things you’re interested in and what you want, CU-Boulder is probably the best one. CU is going to give you that stereotypical American college experience - lots of students, big sports, large campus in a college town. Boulder is nearby a bunch of state parks and open areas. It’s also only a short drive away from Denver. There may be a bus. I think from your “leaning towards” list that might be the best of both worlds.</p>

<p>The University of Minnesota is another interesting Midwestern university you might like - it’s in the Twin Cities (Minneaopolis-St. Paul), both of which are rated high for quality of life and other great factors. That’s also going to be the stereotypical experience you may be looking for - huge university, into sports (perhaps not as much as CU) and lots and lots of classes to choose from.</p>

<p>I also agree with the recommendation of UOregon. It’s in a small college town (Eugene), which is about 4-5 hours’ drive from Seattle/Redmond. But again, it’s going to be kind of similar to Minnesota and CU in terms of experience, with the exception that it’s much farther from any large cities.</p>

<p>Any of these three places would be great places to study liberalism, although CU might be the best (Colorado recently legalized marijuana, and so there’s a lot of interest in how that’s going to affect all manner of things in CO). MN has an interesting history with Scandinavian settlers and evolution in that area, as well as an interesting relationship with Canada (I have a friend from northern MN who has what’s basically a Canadian accent).</p>

<p>Given your interests, I think these honestly might be the best choices that aren’t on the East Coast. SFSU is a great place in an interesting city but it’s also a commuter campus. Occidental, Reed, and St. Olaf are great colleges in great places (Los Angeles, Portland, and Northfield, MN respectively - Northfield being about 45-60 minutes from the Twin Cities) but they are all small liberal arts colleges, so unless that’s an atmosphere you’re seeking you may not be interested in that.</p>

16

<p>

Yes, there’s definitely a train from South Bend to Chicago. The trip is about 90 minutes. There are also buses that run regularly. </p>