<p>I might suggest you reevaluate your criteria of wanting a Spanish minor especially if you’re premed. Our D’s advisor told her not to really waste her time on worrying about a minor. Now days, employers (or med school adcoms) really don’t care much about your minor – your major(s) are what concerns them. Our D is a premed at UVA and will double major. (One of the majors is a distinguished major – thesis, internship, etc.) She’ll finish her coursework for both majors in December and will use her final semester to take courses to work toward a graduate degree so that in the event she should decide to take a gap year before med school, she’ll have her masters as well. Are you in Echols, or do you have a significant number of APs? If so, you should be able to double major like her with little difficulty. </p>
<p>I can’t really advise you on which school to choose; it’s a very personal decision. UVA obviously has the most impressive reputation of the three; however, I don’t believe in letting that be the sole determinant for deciding. Our D chose UVA over higher ranked schools because it was a better social fit, and she liked the more moderate climate. (The others were very cold.)</p>
<p>Wow, let me just say as someone who is new to the collegeconfidential community that did not expect this great feedback and am so grateful for all of you helping me out! </p>
<p>From what I have heard, people seem to think I’ll fit in socially with students at the University of Rochester. Do you think it’s stupid to let something like the weather play such a big role in my decision process?</p>
<p>Germanamerican…D turned down Northwestern for UVA because of weather and the social fit; no, I don’t think it’s stupid, but others probably don’t agree. We’re from the south so the thought of Chicago winters intimidated her.</p>
<p>How do you tolerate the cold? If you’re immobilized by cold weather, then it’ll be a problem. However, URochester has underground tunnels between buildings so you can avoid the cold some of the time. Also, I’ve been told (but haven’t verified) the health center has SAD lights you can go sit under if you suffer from low moods during the dreary months.</p>
<p>My middle son is finishing up freshman year at UR, but almost didn’t apply due to the weather. He ended up choosing to go there as he felt like they were “his people” when he visited. Now he calls his application to UR “the best decision of his life that he almost didn’t make.” He ended up not minding this past winter at all and is loving spring now. </p>
<p>But that’s him. </p>
<p>You need to figure out you based upon what you like/dislike, etc. Any of your schools have good prep for pre-med.</p>
<p>Incidently, he is probably pre-med and hasn’t had any problem at all with “competition” there. It really is more cooperative with friendly study groups and kids who root for each other rather than compete with each other. He loves the size and the multitude of opportunities to do things. He’s not a partier and has never felt left out.</p>