<p>D plans to study neuroscience with plans to attend grad school. She does NOT want to attend medical school. She has visited all four and will be going back to Rochester in 10 days. She thinks she would like to live in Pacific Northwest or near Rockies after college.</p>
<p>Northwestern Pros:
In Human Communication Disorders Program in School of Communications
Can take Music Cognition classes, maybe even minor
School of Comm has researchers with interest in intersection of Music and Neuroscience
Close to home
Easy to get to groovy music scene in Chicago
BUT: Full Sticker Price, and not sure about vibe/fit</p>
<p>USC Pros:
D loved campus and vibe
In Dornsife
Her EC interests could be better satisfied here
Small merit award
Applied for FSH but will not hear back until 4/19
BUT: Will be unable to revisit</p>
<p>Tulane Pros:
D loved campus and vibe
Already registered for Fall classes through Honors program
Likes New Orleans, likes close-by park and groovy shopping and music scene
Likes that kids are more balanced, not cut throat
Excellent merit award
Could get masters in Five Years if she is a good student</p>
<p>University of Rochester Pros:
Likes research focus
D was unable to figure out vibe on Fall visit due to Fall Break
D likes Open Curriculum
Could take classes in Audio Engineering (new major)
Excellent merit award (but not as good as Tulane)
Could get masters in Five Years if she is a good student</p>
<p>We would appreciate any insights. She has four great options. The key question is whether Northwestern is worth full sticker price and USC is worth close to full sticker price. We would never say, “Money is no issue”, but we have a substantial portion of full sticker price put away already.</p>
<p>Rochester is a fabulous place. Strong research focus, great campus vibe. She can’t go wrong there.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think the full price schools are worth it considering the alternatives. The $$ you have put away could go a long way to helping her get started in life after graduation.</p>
<p>Any chance you can revisit Rochester for her to feel the vibe? Kids often “know” when they are on campus and talk with fellow students.</p>
<p>One concern I would have with Tulane is you don’t mention any pros associated with her potential major…</p>
<p>Looking off your list of pros, I’m thinking the choice should be between Northwestern and U Roc…</p>
<p>I’m glad that your daughter will revisit Rochester. Rochester has the Eastman School of Music. Rochester and Eastman have many opportunities for music in the area. Rochester’s website has a search engine for academic clusters, your daughter might use it to investigate potential interests.</p>
<p>Tulane is strong in neuroscience and with a great scholarship would be hard to pass up in my opinion. Also, I think Tulane offers a better balance of academics/social life than some of the others.</p>
<p>I’m a Northwestern grad and loved the school but it is not worth paying full fare. Many of my friends from NU have college age kids now, none of us are sending kids to NU (and several had kids accepted there). In fact, all of us have sent our kids to state flagships for a fraction of the price. </p>
<p>If she wants the big time sports/party scene and a very pre-professional atmosphere; go to USC or Tulane. </p>
<p>If she wants more of an ‘intellectual’ atmosphere, go to UR.</p>
<p>If you easily have the cash, choose the best fit from the list.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the perspectives. I really appreciate the input.</p>
<p>Not sure what your question is.</p>
<p>NU probably has the best reputation – though the other three are well respected all are good schools, your D will get an excellent education at any of them. I’ll leave it to you to look up the rankings and to decide what weight (if any) they should have on your decision.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I think you’ve done a good job of listing the pro’s and cons.</p>
<p>Re cost – our family was faced with the same decision you had Tulane (nice merit aid) vs NU (no aid). Based on our financial circumstances, and the fact that she felt it was the best vibe/fit, it’s where she went. Personally, I felt the investment in NU was well worth it, however, many feel differently and I can’t say that Haystack is wrong. </p>
<p>(Note – College Confidential seems to run in cycles. This year there seem to be a lot more who advocate for the lower-cost school than in prior years – Assuming that one can afford the higher cost option, it’s a very complicated decision. On the other hand, if paying full boat would result in a significant hardship, e.g., limit other educational opportunities (for your D (Grad School) or other siblings)), impair your retirement plans, etc. – given choices like USC or Tulane, it’s probably a no-brainer.</p>