So I was narrowed down my acceptances to three amazing universities—Tulane University, Boston College, and George Washington University. They all have attributes that I love and it makes the decision that much harder. I want to study International Studies when I go to college, and obviously GW has one of the highest ranked International Relations programs in the country.
I loved my experience when I visited Tulane. I received a $30k scholarship per year, so to me it seems ideal. The campus is beautiful and is in an amazing city, but I’m concerned about the distance. I live in New Jersey, which makes it difficult transporting back and forth, and I am worried that the plane tickets will add up. Also, I know that Tulane is known notoriously as a party school and that at times it is difficult to get work done.
Boston College has also been a personal favorite of mine. Ever since I visited there, I knew I was in love. The students were extremely intelligent and the campus is what I envision as an ideal college campus. However, I am worried about how BC’s International Studies program is very competitive, and I am worried about not getting into the program my sophomore year. In addition, Boston College does things differently and does not give merit aid, only need-based aid. I haven’t received my award yet because of complications with paperwork, but I am worried that I will not be able to afford it. This is very upsetting to me because I absolutely would love to go to this school.
Lastly, GW has also been a favorite of mine as well. I originally wanted to go to Georgetown University, but I was rejected and I received a $25k per year scholarship at GW. I loved GW because of its amazing location and its amazing IR program. Yet, I always wanted a campus for my college and part of me feels like GW doesn’t offer that.
No matter which of these schools I end up at, I will be extremely happy. But I am having a seriously hard time choosing which school is right for me. It would be really beneficial if I had some input from all of you about these choices because I am super eager to make my decision about my life in the next four years 
–What would you study at Tulane? Political science?
–Isn’t there a sizeable gap between Tulane and GWU when it comes to poli sci / international affairs?
If that last assumption is true, you need to decide how important it is to pursue international studies, because GWU would be the school to beat for that major. You should also decide how much it appeals to you to have a traditional campus, because Tulane clearly comes out on top in that regard. Those two factors are difference-makers.
–Which would you rate as more important, international studies or campus feel? How much more important?
Keep BC on the table, pending fin aid.
It is easy enough to get a notion of what airfare might run you between your home and Tulane. Just put different dates into any of the travel websites (I like kayak.com best) and find out what it would cost to buy tickets well ahead or on short notice. Cheap travel can be found between many parts of NJ and Boston or DC on boltbus.com or megabus.com so take a look at those for those locations.
As for other costs, run your numbers with this handy calculator, and then talk the differences over with whoever it is who is helping you pay for your education: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml
Lastly, every college/university has a party scene, and getting your work done depends on your own self-discipline. Stake out a corner of the library, and study there if your residence hall is too loud for you.