- #1
connorm333
- 5
- 0
Over the last week, I have been beating myself up over picking which undergrad school to go to. I have been admitted to the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern and the College of Science and Engineering and the Honors Program at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The main majors I am considering at the moment are Math and Computer Science. Here is the situation at both schools.
University of Minnesota:
+ only would cost about $8000 per year
+ honors adviser
+ honors dorm
+ honors Math, Physics, and Computer Science classes
+ very few requirements not already met by AP credit
+ if interests change, I will have enough free classes to pursue new interests
+ fairly high ranked
+ girlfriend of 2 and a half years will be attending (different program though)
+ giving me a scholarship to do freshman or sophomore research
- classes much larger
- not sure about quality of academics vs Northwestern
Northwestern University:
+ Applied Mathematics major looks interesting
+ many certificate options
+ engineering first curriculum
+ strongly ranked industrial engineering (I am possibly interested in Operations Research)
+ small class sizes
+ peers with high intelligence
+ prestige
+ amazing co-op program
+ quarter system allows me to take more classes
- have more requirements (engineering first curriculum, humanities/theme requirement)
- if decide pure math instead of applied math, may be difficult to change
- not sure if research is as easy to get
- cost (~$22,000 freshman year, ~$32,000 years 2-4 when my sister leaves undergraduate school)
Now before people tell me to follow the money, my mother has told me not to worry about finances, as she and my father will be able to afford it. While I am very grateful that my parents are so generous, I am a bit uncomfortable with making them pay so much (though the co-op would earn me quite a bit of money to put towards my tuition).
Overall, I know I will be happy at both schools, but I am trying to make the best choice I can. I have thought about this as much as I can by myself, but I thought some advice from others would be a good idea. Thank you.
University of Minnesota:
+ only would cost about $8000 per year
+ honors adviser
+ honors dorm
+ honors Math, Physics, and Computer Science classes
+ very few requirements not already met by AP credit
+ if interests change, I will have enough free classes to pursue new interests
+ fairly high ranked
+ girlfriend of 2 and a half years will be attending (different program though)
+ giving me a scholarship to do freshman or sophomore research
- classes much larger
- not sure about quality of academics vs Northwestern
Northwestern University:
+ Applied Mathematics major looks interesting
+ many certificate options
+ engineering first curriculum
+ strongly ranked industrial engineering (I am possibly interested in Operations Research)
+ small class sizes
+ peers with high intelligence
+ prestige
+ amazing co-op program
+ quarter system allows me to take more classes
- have more requirements (engineering first curriculum, humanities/theme requirement)
- if decide pure math instead of applied math, may be difficult to change
- not sure if research is as easy to get
- cost (~$22,000 freshman year, ~$32,000 years 2-4 when my sister leaves undergraduate school)
Now before people tell me to follow the money, my mother has told me not to worry about finances, as she and my father will be able to afford it. While I am very grateful that my parents are so generous, I am a bit uncomfortable with making them pay so much (though the co-op would earn me quite a bit of money to put towards my tuition).
Overall, I know I will be happy at both schools, but I am trying to make the best choice I can. I have thought about this as much as I can by myself, but I thought some advice from others would be a good idea. Thank you.