<p>Not my real “help me decide” thread - that will come later.</p>
<p>But this is what I have for the moment. WashU, UChicago, and Michigan. Michigan would be cheaper, but for now let’s not consider this.</p>
<p>For public policy/government, theater (scene - not academics), intelligent student body where partying isn’t the only option, friendliness of student body, and quality of housing/dining.</p>
<p>What would you pick? Just for fun.</p>
<p>Out of those three I would pick Michigan</p>
<p>mainly due to the amazing combination that the others dont provide
with Academics/Athletics/School spirit/prestige</p>
<p>Im not saying that chicago or wash doesntt have any of those things but I think that Mich has them all</p>
<p>For theaters (if I understand correctly) it is hard to beat Chicago. Most of those theaters though are located either downtown (1hr public transportation commute) or Lincoln Park (even longer).</p>
<p>Wash U political science department is really strong (top 10), while Michigan’s is even higher ranked.</p>
<p>Student body is very strong in all 3 with Wash U and UChicago tying for general intelligence but UChicago students being nerdier and quirkier. UMich student body is just a notch weaker than other two yet more mainstream (sports, etc.) </p>
<p>UChicago “fun goes to die” and “unsafe area” shortcomings are overrated, students do have some fun and the place is relatively safe if you don’t do stupid things.</p>
<p>Wash U will be the most flexible (by far) in curriculum selection and availability. It will also have MUCH better dorms, food, walking distances, weather and other quality of life components than other two. </p>
<p>UChicago will have slightly better name recognition / prestige in academia than other two (though grade deflation can be an issue for getting into law/med/grad schools). UMich will have significantly better name recognition among general public as well as stronger alumni base / networking than other two. Employers and grad schools realize that these 3 schools are about the same caliber, so for your future it will matter more how and what you do in college (and you will do better if you are happier).</p>
<p>You need to visit all three (overnights would be ideal) and choose based on the fit.</p>
<p>I would pick Wash U: a lot better advising (professors are not as involved into their research as in UChicago or simply unavailable due to size in UMIch), much better overall quality of life, friendly and “normal” student body. Area is completely safe and nice (unlike some other parts of St Louis). Unless money is an issue or you can not do without Division 1 sports - go to WashU.</p>
<p>Michigan has one of the best Theater department in the nation, and many options for partying or not since its a state school.</p>
<p>For the other majors, i’d say they’d be about the same. Its your prefrence for school size that should really make the decision: large, medium, or small.</p>
<p>uchicago no question</p>
<p>your last criterion-- “intelligent student body where partying isn’t the only option” screams Chicago, and I know that public policy/political science/econ students are extremely well-served by the school; it’s one of our specialties.</p>
<p>As for theater, the University has many student-run productions which are great for what they are but not professional-grade, if that’s what you’re looking for. (I seem to remember that somebody on the Chicago boards had gone and had been unimpressed with a University Theater production-- that was probably you). The highlight of our theater/performance groups is probably Off-Off Campus, and they are nothing short of spectacular.</p>
<p><a href=“http://off-off.uchicago.edu/[/url]”>http://off-off.uchicago.edu/</a></p>
<p>I find the students here very friendly-- it’s easy to make friends here, and I also find the housing and dining options better than most schools. Nothing to write home about, but very, very comfortable.</p>
<p>“Friendly student body” isn’t what comes to mind when you think of Chicago.</p>
<p>True, but I wouldn’t write them off either.</p>
<p>WashU and Michigan both have plenty of smart yet not geeky kids and better quality of life than UChicago.</p>
<p>If you see yourself only as a “future PhD” type, all you like to do is study and you are proud of it, UChicago is the school for you.</p>
<p>If money is not an issue, WashU will have several significant advantages in the areas you seem to care about (food, dorms, etc.). If money difference is significant - Michigan.</p>
<p>Thanks for the all the help.</p>
<p>I did an overnight at Chicago a few weeks ago and loved it, but when I really think about my options, WashU would be a more well-rounded experience. And they have the two things that Chicago lacks, in my opinion: a serious student art (and theater, dance, music, etc) scene, and quality of life.</p>
<p>I’m doing an overnight at WashU sometime in April, and I’m going to Michigan on Monday, just to walk around.</p>
<p>What does anyone know about theater at WashU?</p>
<p>Wow, you’ve got some great choices. </p>
<p>As you may know, Ann Arbor is no Chicago when it comes to theatre but it does pretty well for its size. That was one of Bollinger’s big focuses before he left. There’s a lot of student-run theater out there. Plus the local area has its various civic groups and arts groups. You probably know about Purple Rose 15 minutes west. I don’t know if the Royal Shakespeare Company is coming back again this summer but it was pretty cool to read about students sleeping outside overnight outside the box office to get RSC tickets. I love that kind of nerdiness.</p>