Wheaton vs St Johns vs Manhattan College

Hi everyone! I got into all three colleges and received pretty good financial aid from all three of them. I’m majoring in political science and I would like to know the pros and cons for each school. I like being in the city and would like a good social atmosphere. I want to go to parties and go out but I do want to excel academically. I’m also more leaning towards a school with a good reputation in politics and somewhere I could get good connections.

Probably St. Johns has the most of what you’re asking for. Congratulations, BTW!

Wheaton and Manhattan both have strong academics. Since you’re in all three, this might be a good time to attend the admitted students days at the colleges to compare which you like the most.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you!! I haven’t visited any of them yet and I definitely will attend all three admitted student days. I want to go to school in NYC but Wheaton has strong academics but I honestly want to go somewhere with good political connections and good internship programs.

Congrats op. Awesome news!

You have to visit to know. And students create opportunity for themselves through their own hard work and determination, not the schools.

All three can give you what you would like academically.

Wheaton probably the strongest academically of the three, theoretically. Beautiful campus. But your fun will be on campus primarily. Providence is a half hour and Boston hour or so. But, day to day, it’s campus based. The school does know how to make things available for students.

St Johns will have the best access to the city and all that means. They will probably have the best alumni network, along with the connection of having a law school. This relates to your major a bit and the connections. They also have a proud history with Big East basketball, which is fun. It also builds the national brand and keeps alumni just a little more connected.

Manhattan College- I only know from the students who’ve attended and it’s fine reputation. The kids I know have loved it and it’s close enough to the city to make it a contender in that area too. Great rep.

Good luck and remember it’s only one guy’s view!

We’ve visited both St John’s and Manhattan College recently and they are on my Ds short list. There is definatly a different feel to each campus and would be important to visit to see what fits you best.

Actually I think getting into the city is a little easier from Manhattan College as the one train is right on campus. St Johns is a bit further on the bus.

Personally I think if you are going to major in Poly Sci, you would be better off going to college in NY or DC.

Wheaton would provide you with the strongest academics and lots of opportunities for fun on campus (= at little to no cost). They have good connections
Both SJU and Manhattan are more commuter, although Manhattan College does have about 2/3 students living on campus (v; SJU where it’s a small minority). You’d have to find your fun in the city, which is often quite costly.
So, I’d pick either Manhattan or Wheaton, depending on the type of environment you want.
Semester in the City* would be great for a Sophomore and they have a lot of support for study abroad.
*https://wheatoncollege.edu/academics/filene-center-for-academic-advising-and-career-services/academic-advising/offcampus-study/semester-in-the-city/
In addition, they support a semester in DC: https://www.american.edu/spexs/washingtonsemester/index.cfm
So, all in all, it seems like a very good, comprehensive experience (especially if you do Semester in the City Sophomore year, Study abroad, junior year, and Study in DC Fall semester senior year, using that time in DC to interview for jobs since recruiting will start September-October).