Columbia? Northwestern?

[Nike]

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Sorry, I didn't mean to start one of those "this school vs. that school" threads, but I am looking for some opinions on the two schools. Columbia has always been my number one choice (currently waitlisted) and Northwestern has been my number two (currently accepted). I was drawn to Columbia for a number of reasons and because it just "felt right," but also because I love NYC and have always wanted to live there, I loved the people I met there, and although I don't know what I want to pursue, I've been strongly considering something in neuroscience, which is one of Columbia's strong points. At Northwestern though, I'd probably be able to find a decent apartment (and thus have better living conditions), I'd have less lecture time (I'd rather study on my own than spend hour after hour in class), and Chicago is a pretty darn good city too (although I'm still drawn to the NYC and the east coast, but to be fair, I haven't really spent that much time in chicago). I've been pursuing Columbia and trying to get off the waitlist, but I have this fear . . . what if I get in to Columbia and am ecstatic, but then get there, realize it's not all it's cracked up to be, and then wonder what it would have been like in Chicago/Northwestern? What are your opinions on the two schools? Do you know anyone who has gone to Columbia and not been happy? Chances are I won't get in to Columbia . . .

 

[Newquagmire]

Sorry, I didn't mean to start one of those "this school vs. that school" threads, but I am looking for some opinions on the two schools. Columbia has always been my number one choice (currently waitlisted) and Northwestern has been my number two (currently accepted). I was drawn to Columbia for a number of reasons and because it just "felt right," but also because I love NYC and have always wanted to live there, I loved the people I met there, and although I don't know what I want to pursue, I've been strongly considering something in neuroscience, which is one of Columbia's strong points. At Northwestern though, I'd probably be able to find a decent apartment (and thus have better living conditions), I'd have less lecture time (I'd rather study on my own than spend hour after hour in class), and Chicago is a pretty darn good city too (although I'm still drawn to the NYC and the east coast, but to be fair, I haven't really spent that much time in chicago). I've been pursuing Columbia and trying to get off the waitlist, but I have this fear . . . what if I get in to Columbia and am ecstatic, but then get there, realize it's not all it's cracked up to be, and then wonder what it would have been like in Chicago/Northwestern? What are your opinions on the two schools? Do you know anyone who has gone to Columbia and not been happy? Chances are I won't get in to Columbia . . .

look, in the end it's your decision. chicago is a great city. just don't look back.

 

[elias514]

Both schools rock. Go where you think you'll be happiest.

 

[TheFlash]

Do you know anyone who has gone to Columbia and not been happy? Chances are I won't get in to Columbia . . .

You don't know that quite yet, unless you've asked Dr. Frantz about your chances. I would suggest asking him in a letter or on the phone so you can figure out the appropriate amount of emotional investment you should have in the waitlist. Best of luck with that. 🙂

And, as you asked, there are plenty of people who have gotten into Columbia and are not happy. I personally know a couple myself, and I read a scathing review by a current MSI at Columbia on the old Columbia vs. UCSF thread saying,

"Sorry dudes, but indianboy is 100% correct. P&S has been the worse academic experience of my life. The only people in my class who like it here are the rah-rah cheerleader/frat boys types who would tell you they loved a cattle probe to the ass if you told them it was prestigious. That's the problem with the revisit: those are the people who run that.

It is incredibly disorganized, the environment is often unhealthy, and the administration doesn't even effectively PRETEND to care what we think."

I think it's the type of school you either really like or really hate. So on the flipside, there are plenty of people that also love the school. Just be deliberate in your decision making, especially since you don't seem to have an affinity for lecture, one of Columbia's selling points.