<p>Well hello there!
I have a big problem. I am originally from Germany and attended solely a german school system as my mom is german and my dad is american. I have lived here my entire life but I have visited my family in America every year for 2 months so I am 100% positive I want to study in the US. I only have one problem, I have absolutely NO idea which university is right for me. I picked out a few that allow me to start in the January term, here are the ones I am going to apply to:</p>
<p>NYU
DePaul University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
CU Boulder
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Indiana - Bloomington
Columbia College Chicago</p>
<p>I love all of them, but they are all so different from each other. Do you think it would be better for me to go to a college in a big city like new york or chicago or should I stick to the traditional college experience like UW Madison or CU Boulder? (Those 4 are my top favorites!)
It is hard because I do enjoy having time on my own but I also like doing stuff with friends. My top priority though is to receive a goos education and great academics and clubs, but I do also want to go to parties and meet people. I just think that in bigger cities your able to make more connections and take on internships at cool companies, that might really help me later when I want to start my career. What do you think? What are the pros and cons of these universities?
Does anyone go to one of the listed? If yes, could you give me some information?
Oh, and is it true NYU and DePaul don't have any school spirit and its really hard to meet somebody?</p>
<p>Thank you so much!!!! Have a great day,</p>
<p>Claire</p>
<p>I think the University of Wisconsin would give you that college feel in a big city, not Chicago or NYC big. A good thing about the U of Wisconsin is that its just a few hours from Chicago if you want to experience that on a long weekend. As for school spirit this school has it hands down, plus looks to have great alumni network.</p>
<p>Do you know what you are planning to study? I’ve heard Madison and Ann Arbor are similar types of environment and schools. My daughter is in grad school at UW Madison and I have visited. Being from Calif, I didn’t know what to expect but found it is a fantastic vibrant small city. Easy to get around. Good buses, extensive bike paths. The campus has the coolest student union on the lake with a great terrace. There is a whole long street that is a major undergrad hangout. Great music scene. The state capital and tech companies are there for internships but it may be competitive with such a large student body. Many students don’t intern in the place they go to school, though. My daughter did intern with google and a startup there, but like I said she’s a grad student.</p>
<p>Some people just want to be in NYC, and going to college there might be a relatively comfortable way to be there and get to expeience the place. But I know that some can have issues adjusting to the decentralized atmosphere at NYU. I know a smart cool girl who found the first year really hard with ‘tons of cliquey girls from long island’ - but maybe she just didn’t work hard enough to find her people, and I’m not sure if it sorted itself out. Usually when you get to the upper div coursework in your department you find a cohort, which may or may not be the friends you are hanging out with.</p>
<p>Anyway no one here can pick for you. You have to focus in on what you want out of the experience and what you thing will be best for you. Which has the best academics, the best major for you. I’m sure you will get more posts too. You can read the school specific forums to see posts from current and past students, who often answer questions. That can give you a little more feel.</p>