<p>Big differences in the environment. My son ended up with two top choices like that and decided he really like a big city school rather than a smaller, enclosed campus, smaller school. That’s really what drove his decision. What kind of a life style, environment, atmosphere would you prefer? I happen to prefer LACs, hands down in terms of close community, academic focus, personal attention. Bryn Mawr would be my choice especially since it isn’t out in the country with Philly right there, but it does have a definite identity and can strike someone the wrong way whereas UCSD is more of a one size fits all.</p>