<p>The thread started by cgeresti generated a lot of interest and debate, some of it warranted and some of it childish. Anyway, I think the idea of a thread for the best all around university is excellent, I just have different criteria than those listed by cgeresti. I’ll be applying as an undergraduate student and these are the criteria I value most (in no particular order):</p>
<p>1.) Location - preferably urban (in or near a big city)
2.) Academics - excellent in political science and neuroscience/biology (will major in one or the other, so attending a school that offers great academics in both, so I have the chance to try both, is ideal)
3.) Atmosphere - social, good school spirit, not over-competitive but academically engaged and challenging (I don’t value success in sports as much but I would probably attend some games - team doesn’t have to be amazing, just fun to be at the games)
4.) Social life - plenty of extracurriculars/night life
5.) Weather - doesn’t really matter
6.) Good placement in graduate schools/jobs</p>
<p>Vanderbilt!</p>
<p>Honestly though:
- Nashville - a big city, with a small-city feel. Campus is in the midtown area, so it’s extremely easy to get to downtown, but you can just as easily be satisfied by staying in the “Vanderbubble” and not exploring outside. Nashville’s a great city though. Great music scene (not just country), fun downtown, lots of parks and such, beautiful scenery. It’s also a very young city; most people I see around are in their 20s/30s.</p>
<p>2) Well-known for both polisci and neuro/bio. The med school is right on campus if you choose the latter and want to do research, shadow a doctor, or whatever.</p>
<p>3) Being a part of the SEC is so much fun. The traditions are great, and there’s definitely a “win or lose, we’ll still booze” atmosphere surrounding football (and we’re actually good at basketball… currently preseason ranked #5). Tailgating is fun for sure. People are fans, maybe not die-hard like other SEC schools, but athletics is definitely a big part of the Vandy experience. And, being a top-20 school, it’s clearly up there in academics.</p>
<p>4) I’ll just be brief and say that we’re the one of the very few schools consistently ranked in the top 20 for both academics and parties. Plus there’s downtown 2 miles away if you get tired of campus.</p>
<p>5) Southern weather rocks. Coming from Texas, I think any snow at all is too much, but it really only snows 2-3 times a year. It does kinda rain a lot, but the storms usually blow over in a day and it’ll go back to being sunny again. It’s a very temperate environment.</p>
<p>6) Even in this bad economy, most of the seniors I know that just graduated have jobs. I know it’s anecdotal, but I have no idea what the actual placement rate is for either of them.</p>
<p>UPenn & Emory!</p>
<p>I’d also say the the UMN-Twin Cities comes close…it’s.in an urban area and.they.have like 300+ student organizations…literally everything you could think of!</p>
<p>By that criteria, Columbia and it’s not even close</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Why Columbia Yankees20? Do you know anything specifically about their poly sci and bio programs?</p>
<p>Everyone I know who goes to Columbia loves it: you can’t beat Manhattan, you can’t beat the Ivy League academics, and I can personally attest to the social atmosphere/nightlife.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about bio (though I’m sure it’s top-notch, especially if you want to go to med school), but I know a couple of kids in political science who say it’s terrific because you can get internships anywhere you want and every diplomat and dignitary who comes to NYC speaks at Columbia. If you’re interested in politics, look into Columbia’s history. A lot of famous protests have happened there.</p>
<p>Minnesota! Fits all your criteria, I think.</p>
<p>Pitt!! (I’m biased, of course.)</p>
<p>1.) Location - *In a big city, but still has its own campus *
2.) Academics - excellent in political science and neuroscience/biology. * Idk on polisci, but it has a great neuro/bio program and has UPMC right by campus. *
3.) Atmosphere - social, good school spirit, not over-competitive but academically engaged and challenging (I don’t value success in sports as much but I would probably attend some games - team doesn’t have to be amazing, just fun to be at the games) * In my opinion, it has the perfect mix of academics and big athletics-driven school spirit. *
4.) Social life - plenty of extracurriculars/night life * Pretty good from what I’ve heard. *
5.) Weather - doesn’t really matter * I think it’s great, but I’m used to 105 degree weather so I love the cold! *
6.) Good placement in graduate schools/jobs * Can’t really say since I’m not at that point yet. It’s good as far I’ve been told though. *</p>
<p>UVA</p>
<p>/thread</p>
<p>nah but really, it perfectly fits your criteria, as do probably 50 other schools in the country. I suggest you do your own research to figure this out. collegeprawler might be more helpful</p>
<p>Yeah the other thread was actually about an “All around university”. This is just you asking what cuts your criteria the best and is a lot more specific. I would suggest doing some research on you own.</p>