<p>I seriously don't expect anyone to read all this, so I'll just say I'm looking for what people think- I'm debating between attending Northeastern, the school I love but think it's pretty expensive/living Boston is costly/lack of school spirit is a downside, UNC Chapel Hill, my dream school in every which way except the fact I'm OOS and it's pretty far from home, or Notre Dame, the most prestigious of the three and would be a good fit, but also really far from home. I'm undecided at UNC, and an Arch major at NU and ND, but I plan to switch out the first chance I get. I'd greatly appreciate any input- from anyone!</p>
<p>Now, for my long winded explanation that I just need to get out somewhere. I really do feel like I'm at a crossroads. When I originally applied to colleges, I wanted to do Architecture. I applied to all my schools under that major except 1 (that one exception was UNC- my plan was to simply get a MArch afterward if I went there). Out of all my schools, I was absolutely in love with Northeastern, and since my December acceptance, I've been saying that's where I was going. The only reason why I waited to enlist was because of financial aid.</p>
<p>Then, a big surprise changed all my plans- I got into UNC Chapel Hill out of state, and into Notre Dame. I couldn't tell you how happy I was. I know all my hard work made these acceptances possible, but with admissions the way they are these days, I didn't put much faith into them from the beginning- especially UNC, because I know it's nearly impossible to get in OOS.</p>
<p>I only give this background info because I think it helps explain why I allowed myself to become enamored only with Northeastern. I knew I would get in and there really is a lot to love about it. It has a beautiful campus despite its inner city location, it's close to home, has co-op (which in this economy, to me that is like hitting a jackpot), study abroad, the students there seemed like 'my kind of people' every time I visited, there is so much to do in Boston, and though its standards are not as high as some of the other schools I was aiming for, it is definitely gaining more and more prestige and I know I'd be challenged there nonetheless.</p>
<p>However, here are a few downsides: After VERY serious consideration, I decided I didn't want to do Architecture. I've known, in my heart of hearts, for a while now, but I was playing the safe route and just going with what I've planned for the past 2 years. After the 'big surprise' though, I did a lot of thinking and talking over with my mom/guidance counselor/friends, and I believe I owe it to myself to figure out what would really make me happy- even if it's kind of scary to think about. I know it'd be easy to switch majors at ND and somewhat easy at NU, so that was no problem. My problem is that architecture, whatever the school, is known for being a very intense program. After talking to many students, doing my research, I knew that basically wherever I went, I wouldn't have much time to join clubs, play intramural sports, or basically have the typical 'college' life. I was fine with that. I knew from a summer college experience that I would still have some leisure time (even if significantly less that other majors) and still have fun anyway with 'studio life'. However, my choice of major made me sort of give all those 'student life' concerns a bit of a backseat. I already knew all those wonderful activities available wouldn't really apply to me, so to be honest, I didn't really consider that aspect much at all.</p>
<p>Then I went and made the bold choice to change my major, so I was forced to look at all the schools I was accepted to in a whole new light. At first, I only focused on the Architecture program, but now, I have all these other options to consider. It truly is overwhelming. I still love Northeastern for all the reasons listed above, but opting not to do architecture has changed my views a bit. I already know that these are all great schools, and that all 3 offer great programs in the fields I'm interested in, so my focus has now shifted to the more social/economic aspect of things.</p>
<p>At NU, the city life is great, but very expensive. I know greek life is not too influential (even though frats throw great parties) and because there is so much to do in Boston, there isn't as much 'closeness' felt in the student body. Not that they aren't spirited, but it's incomparable to what one would experience at UNC or ND (both schools with BIG BIG spirit- and that's very important to me).</p>
<p>UNC has been my idea of a dream school for a long time, and I really did only apply there because I could never forgive myself if I didn't- even if it didn't offer arch. Now I'm so glad I did. It has great academics, it is very prestigious with a relatively cheap price tag, has an incredibly spirited student body, great weather (at least, for a new englander I'm sure it will be!), that 'southern charm', friendly atmosphere, good greek life... the list could go on. My only concern is that as an OOS student, I'd be infiltrating NC culture- one I'm extremely unfamiliar with. I know it's easy to make friends, but it's not about that. It's more about how I'll living in a completely different environment where mostly everyone is from one place, and regardless of how friendly, I'm worried that I'll always be an 'outsider'- no matter how many friends I make. It also seems like the lopsided girl/guy ratio has the potential to make certain social situations difficult/uncomfortable. It's also pretty far from home, and while I don't plan going home a lot even if I go to NU, knowing I won't be able to just drive half an hour to see my family if something comes up makes me uneasy sometimes.</p>
<p>ND is also great in my mind because of its amazing academics and how far a degree from there can take you. I like that it's a very tight knit community with students who basically never leave campus (which differs a LOT from NU and a bit from UNC because of those who go home on the weekends, etc), yet you never get bored. A few people from my school go there and they all love it. The things that pull me back from it is that it's also very far away from home, and unlike UNC, it has even worse weather than New England. I'm also not too sure I'd enjoy what the overall conservative/religious atmosphere of the school is like too much- it's definitely something I can deal with, especially since my family is Catholic, but definitely a concern. Out of the three, it's the one I'm considering the least but I can't seem to write it off either, so obviously there's still something that keeps it in my top choices.</p>
<p>I hope no one sees this as me going to a school to party/date/whatever. That is certainly not the case at all. I just believe the social environment in a school is very important as well, and since I know I'd be happy academically wherever I go, I want to find out where I'd be happy socially and personally, as well. My gut keeps telling me to go to UNC, but then I change my mind and say NU is better, but then I feel ND might also be a good choice. I really can't decide. In the short time I've been in this forum, it seems like a lot of the people here have really helpful things/advice, so I'd really like to hear what you guys have to say. Thank you!</p>
Good Luck!</p>