<p>So I've been accepted to University of Chicago which has been my #1 school since i was a freshman and i am nearly sure i will get accepted to Ohio State honors (in state) on a full ride.</p>
<p>Although UChicago is great and all, it seems to me that Ohio State would be the better choice. I mean, I plan to pursue grad school (maybe med school, law schools, or Masters) where GPA and test scores counts more than the prestige of the school. Since UChicago is tougher to get good grades, I think this may hinder my chances in getting into grad schools. Also, the social scene at UChicago sucks compared to Ohio State. And i im sure that i will learn the same material at Ohio State and UChicago. </p>
<p>The only pro i see in going to UChicago is that i may have a better learning experience. Also, going to UChicago would be better if i was interested in applying to phd programs, since prestige counts. And Uchicago has more prestige, which i don't care about. </p>
<p>Basically i don't see the point in paying an extra 30,000$ a year just to "maybe" get a better learning experience. And in the process, hindering my chances in getting into grad schools, and having a good social life.</p>
<p>I'd go to OSU Honors: better social life, less pressure, good for grad school.</p>
<p>If you like UChicago better, go there. But, you sound like you've already made up your mind. That is what the admissions process should be about for you, the applicant.</p>
<p>I have a friend deciding between Wash U, UPenn, Trinity (CT), and Earlham.
Her first choice, after going through the whole process, so far, is Trinity. That's followed by Earlham. People think she's crazy. I think she's very sane. When she started, UPenn and Wash U were her top picks.</p>
<p>Well will chicago give you financial aid? You will probably get some debt, but it may not be a big amount. And prestige matters when applying to grad school. Going to a top school shows you were qualified enough to be admitted. Schools are ranked for a reason. Recruiters and admissions know who is at the top. Why do you think job recruiters go to the same schools every year? They don't know the GPAs of the students, but they DO know that they are top students indeed.</p>
<p>Yes, UChicago gave me some financial aid, but i would still have to pay around 30,000 altogether. And i understand that prestige matters but i think that if i work hard enough at Ohio State then i would have a lot of opportunities. </p>
<p>And im pretty sure it be better if i finished top of the pack at Ohio State than middle-above average of the pack at UChicago (which is what will probably happen).</p>
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just to "maybe" get a better learning experience
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<p>There is no maybe involved, U of C is one of the best colleges in the world. I have a few other points as well:</p>
<p>1) Grad schools are not ignorant. They know about U of C's grade deflation and will not weight an A from OSU equally with one from U of C.</p>
<p>2) U of C is not only prestigious, but it's academics are stellar, arguably better than the Ivies. People that go to U of C aren't competitive at all--they go there because they actually like to learn, and subsequently (or coincidentally, I don't really know) their academics are superb.</p>
<p>3) Yes, U of C won't have as many animal house parties as OSU. The social scenes are different. At U of C, people are intellectual--the guy/girl hitting on you at the party is actually an extremely intelligent, interesting person who, yes, enjoys a stiff drink.</p>
<p>All that said, once you have your information, just go where you like the most. That's all that really matters when it boils down to it.</p>
<p>Godfatherbob has a few points that may be flawed.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Grad schools aren't ignorant about grade deflation. But they don't give a proportional amount of weight to lower GPA's from better schools. A student with a 3.5 from Ivy League might easily get a 4.0 at State Flagship, but graduate admissions might only give him maybe a .1 advantage. This is an example. However the benefit is someone manages to get a 4.0 at Ivy League, then they are seen as a 4.1.</p></li>
<li><p>All top schools are competitive. Kids want to learn, but they don't want to be left in the dust grade-wise. A lot of kids are there for the purpose of a higher education (than a state school) but that doesn't mean they aren't competitive</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here's my advice. If you want maximize your chances of graduate school, OSU may be better. </p>
<p>However, there are aspects of schools that U of Chicago that may outweigh those benefits. At top schools like these, surrounded by very smart and competitive people, one can network extremely easily and these connections can help you throughout the rest of your life. And a few years past graduate school when have a good amount of work experience, having the UChicago diploma might be more beneficial.</p>
<p>OSU Honors is well respected. UChicago is a great school, but being in the Honors college at a public school, like OSU, is also an amazing academic experience.</p>
<p>UChicago tends to be intense academically. Very different from UMichigan, Northwestern, UWisconsin, Ohio State, and other Midwestern universities.</p>
<p>As for grad school, undergraduate reputation is a smaller factor than grades and test scores are when adcoms choose a law, business, or A&S school, for instance.</p>
<p>And, unlike undergrad, financial aid is harder to come by. If you like OSU Honors and would save money, I'd suggest going there.</p>
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Although UChicago is great and all, it seems to me that Ohio State would be the better choice. I mean, I plan to pursue grad school (maybe med school, law schools, or Masters)
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100% for sure go to OSU. If you plan on going to grad school, you would be an idiot to pay $30,000 a year for an undergraduate education.
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<p>The key question seems to be whether you will really go to grad school. A lot of incoming freshmen will say that they are definitely going to grad school...and then never do. For example, many students will simply do so poorly in college such that they can't get into grad school. {Heck, some students do so poorly that they actually flunk out of undergrad.} On the other hand, some students get such an excellent job right after undergrad that they decide that they don't really need grad school at all. I know some people who turned down top grad schools for job offers at McKinsey or other major consulting firms. Some other people simply develop other life priorities For example, I know of one girl who was a superstar student in high school and in the first few years of college, but then met the man who became her husband. She's now quite happy as a stay-at-home housewife, taking care of their new baby. She never bothered to graduate at all (nor does she really need to as her husband is quite successful). She said she might someday decide to go back to school to finish her bachelor's degree and perhaps go to grad school, but right now, she would much rather be a full-time mom. </p>
<p>But the point is, you can't simply 'assume' that you will be going to grad school. Plenty of people who think they will eventually find that they won't.</p>
<p>"i am nearly sure i will get accepted to Ohio State honors (in state) on a full ride."</p>
<p>Well, if that near-certainty becomes a fact, you will have two good choices so you really can't go wrong. It sounds like you know what you want to do, and are just looking for support. You have sound reasons for your decision. Don't let yourself get talked into something you're not comfortable with for "prestige" sake.</p>
<p>My child was in the same boat that you are in two years ago. She got into the honors college at our highly ranked State university with a huge scholarship and into U of Chicago with very little financial aid. In her case she chose Chicago, is now in her second year and loves it. She was into the intellectual challenge, quality of students and the type of life that Chicago offers. She was not into the frat scene, major sports or heavy partying. So for her Chicago was definitely the right choice. The quality of the education, the attention you receive from full professors, the interaction with other interested and very bright students(and usually not pretentious ) and the value on learning for the sake of learning is unique. Is it a major financial sacrifice? Absolutely and a difficult one. Is it worth it? In our case I would have to say yes, but that is not true for everyone. Chicago is a really special school. Before turning it down, try to spend a few days on the campus and get a feel for it. Talk to students there. Do the same at Ohio. Then decide which is a better fit. After that, look at your finances and decide what makes sense for you. Either way you can't lose.</p>
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As a career, my #1 choice right not is being an actuary but my job choice changes every month or so.
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<p>Slight digression:</p>
<p>If you actually decide that you want to be an actuary, consider going to Georgia State (not UGA) for a master's or something. My dad has been an actuary for more than 20 years and has said that Georgia State has one of the top actuarial programs in the country.</p>
<p>If I were in your shoes, I would choose Ohio State. And I say that as a U of C-adorer.</p>
<p>For grad school (either academic or professional), OSU is good enough of a name to get you what you want-- a lot of people who come to Chicago for grad school did their in-state U as undergrad. What they also did that maybe their peers didn't was milk the school for all it's worth academically. </p>
<p>For employment, my brother, who was an econ major straight out of an Ivy League school with a good resume and demonstrated leadership skills, was regularly turned down for jobs in favor of OSU grads. At least in his field (accounting), the OSU degree is more than prestigious. </p>
<p>I chose Chicago because a) I could afford it, and b) I thought I'd meet awesomer people here than at my in-state (which is filled with awesome people). My dream career is also not a high-paying one.</p>
<p>If I were making the choice, I'd choose Chicago. Forget about prestige, networking, etc. (that's mostly a bunch of baloney). Your education will last you a lifetime and, in that sense, it is priceless. With no disrespect to The Ohio State University--it is a different experience than Chicago (think students, faculty and intellectual environment). I'd go to Chicago in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>I can maybe add some perspective here. I went to Ohio State undergrad and Chicago for grad school. Chicago was a great place for me to go to grad school, but I think I would have been miserable there as an undergrad in comparison to the broader social diversity of a Big Ten campus.</p>
<p>I think UofC is an absolutely great undergraduate environment and provides an education that IMO is superior to the ivies, but to fully enjoy that you need to be a certain type of student. If you aren't the "Chicago type" it can be a very miserable place to spend four years. Yes, everyone around you is "intellectual" but that can also be limiting and suffocating in a sense. It doesn't mean that you won't run into the earnest, overly intellectual undergrad at Ohio State. You will, but they'll be part of a much broader social spectrum that will allow you to find your place along the spectrum.</p>
<p>There's very little middle ground in going undergrad at Chicago. If you think you fit the "Chicago profile" I say by all means sacrifice to go there. If you think that the rather one-dimensional student culture at Chicago would be stifling, then by all means save the money and go to a Big Ten school for undergrad...then Chicago for grad school.</p>
<p>fill in the blank HONORS college at Big State U, is probably equivalent to a top 40 school.</p>
<p>If you were comparing Big State U regular program vs. UofC, then I would say UofC. Most of the Honors students would do just fine at UofC, Northwestern, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Go theOSU Honors. Spend your money on graduate school -- or not. You might get as nice a job out of theOSU Honors as you would have out of UoC, and decide to not go to graduate school.</p>
<p>I think sh has it right... at least for me, I'm a verrrrrrry particular kind of student, and the Chicago environment has benefited me enormously.</p>