<li><p>U IL urbana or U IL chicago
(urbana is better academically and has the major I really want + the major I should major in, but it seems too rural, greek, preppy, etc for me… but I havent visited either so maybe I shouldnt stereotype them yet… chicago doesnt have what I really want to major in but what I should probably, its in the city where I want to be, I could maybe get scholarships since its not as great as a school)</p></li>
<li><p>parsons or pratt
(parsons is in manhattan vs brooklyn so thats one up, its major I would pursue there seems pretty good… I have a better shot at getting into pratt I think because I might not have to submit a portfolio, but its major seems a little harder, but overall I think the schools are pretty equal)</p></li>
<li><p>depaul or northwestern
(both have majors I’m pretty interested in but their both kind of new to me and haven’t researched them enough. northwestern is definitely the better choice I’m aware, but I highly doubt I could get in and would probably be too difficult if I did get in… depaul I could get $$$$ maybe?)</p></li>
<li><p>USC or cal poly pomona
(USC is definitely waaaaay better, but its not accredited in the major I’d do there… pomona is way cheaper, accredited in the major I’d do at these two school and actually one of the top schools for the major, but kind of ****ty location and like 99% CA residents… im from east coast btw)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don't like the way you have the schools matched up like it's a tournament or something. If you want to cut down to 4 schools, just cut down. My opinion of which 4 you should apply to:</p>
<p>1) urbana - How "rural, greek, preppy, etc" it is should not be something that plays a major role in your decision-making until you actually visit the school.
2) U Il Chicago - Your opinion sounds mostly positive. Since your post is rather vague (concerning major, stats, etc.) I can't really say anything else.
3) cal poly pomona - Have you been to this "****ty" location? And are CA residents a major problem?
4) Either parsons or pratt - I don't know much about either. you'd have to pick.</p>
<p>My opinion of which ones you shouldn't apply to:
1) Northwestern - If you are seriously doubting that you would be able to keep up at Northwestern then you should cross it off your list right now.
2) Depaul - Do you know anything about it? If you do some more exploration and decide it's worth applying to then by all means apply. But at the moment it doesn't seem like you know much about it.
3) USC - It's not accredited in your major. Enough said.</p>
<p>well I want to major in landscape architecture for my undergrad degree but thats only offered at like 5 or 6 schools that I would even remotely consider going to (pomona and urbana on that list).. but it would be wise to also get an architecture undergrad degree (the others except depaul and northwestern, who have urban studies, what I really want to major in I think but it would make finding a job much harder) USC has regular architecture and LArch but its not accredited in LArch</p>
<p>You show up with a degree in LArch from USC, and people are going to tell you to get lost because it's not accredited? It's not like it's med school...</p>
<p>FYI: Pratt is located in a really nice area of Brooklyn (Clinton Hill). Don't dismiss it outright because of location. Its alumni are highly sought after in the arts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
well I want to major in landscape architecture for my undergrad degree but thats only offered at like 5 or 6 schools that I would even remotely consider going to (pomona and urbana on that list).. but it would be wise to also get an architecture undergrad degree (the others except depaul and northwestern, who have urban studies, what I really want to major in I think but it would make finding a job much harder)
[/quote]
If you want to go to school in CA, consider these:</p>
<p>architecture undergrad degree/urban studies
UCLA = Architectural Studies major; Urban and Regional Studies Minor
UCB = Architecture major; Urban Studies Major or Minor in City and Regional Planning</p>
<p>USC and Cal Poly Pomona. You seem to want to go to school in LA. In that case, I recommend UCLA, where you can major in architectural studies and minor in urban studies ("what I really want to major in I think but it would make finding a job much harder"). It is under the Architecture and Urban Design Department, so I assume you will also learn about urban design.</p>
<p>don't know those new york schools but on the others:</p>
<p>illinois is hardly a greek or preppy campus. any big ten school is way too big and too diverse to call it anything but a multiversity. and it's one of the best in the nation. way better than either of the chicago campuses you mention, and that's my hometown.</p>
<p>USC? moving like a rocket toward ivy league level status. if you get an admit letter there take it if you can swing the bucks. awesome place.</p>
<p>pomona? very solid in arch. a real bargain. but hardly in the same league as USC or illinois.</p>