<p>My older daughter faced the same dilemna a year ago–Mizzou and the Walter Williams Scholars program in journalism versus her other choice, the University of Maryland. Although Maryland has a very highly regarded journalism program, the opportunities in Williams can’t be duplicated, and the cost savings would have been very significant. However, my daughter had many of the same issues with Missouri which you have identified–diversity, remoteness from a large city, quality of other departments aside from journalism, and gap between the upper students at Mizzou and the average student. In the end, after much thought, she decided to attend Maryland, where she is very happy. I think, and she does too, that she would have been happy at Missouri as well, but she made her decision and hasn’t looked back.</p>
<p>There is no “right” decision here–you have great choices, and you’ll do fine at any of them. Mizzou is a terrific school for a would be journalist, and the people there are very friendly and helpful. I grew up 6 blocks from Northwestern, and attended law school there, and it is a wonderful school set next to what I believe (admittedly as a homer) is the greatest, most liveable city in the world. Wellsley has a sterling reputation, and Boston is an exciting place to go to college. Rather than agonizing about your decision, pick the one which suits your gut and go there. FWIW, since college is the first time you really have a chance to live independantly, and the last time you get to do so without financial and/or family responsibilities, I’d opt to favor the four years where I would grow most as a person. Depending on your personality, that could be at any of the three schools.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>