W&M v. UChicago

ADHDFTL
Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:58:33 +0000

Definitely go for W&M. It’s 100k cheaper for you and you’ll be glad to have the cash at the end for grad school or really anything. Both are considered top institutions and unless you’re going into law prestige doesn’t even matter for grad school (unless you have the same GPA). Uchicago is a great school but has a low yield rate for a reason. It’s extremely cold and you have some issues with crime. If you really love the city don’t go to W&M but otherwise I think the 100k seals the deal. As a Monroe scholar you’ll also be surrounded in another bubble inside a bubble which could be appealing I guess.

You also get 2,500 dollars every summer to do independent research at W&M and I think you might stand out a bit more at W&M. College rankings are largely irrelevant beyond “really good school” which both of these are. In today’s economy getting out debt free should be your #1 priority, if you can manage getting out with a surplus that’s obviously even better. Good luck.