I was recently accepted into the University of Indiana and Northwestern University and could really use some advice on which to pick! Here are the factors I'm considering:
Concentration. Hoping to get involved in health policy, specifically Title X or Medicaid, with the ability to learn more about quantitative analysis (love SPEA for its ability to customize the concentration)
Flexibility/Placement. Not sure exactly what career I want to do, whether it's to go back into the nonprofit world, government, or private sector (leaning gov't)
Location. I have friends in Evanston and Chicago and a spouse in Springfield. While we don't want to end up in Springfield, he might be there for a little while longer and I wasn't sure whether Northwestern had an edge on placement for gov't jobs in Springfield over Indiana. After a few years there, we hope to end up somewhere in the midwest.
Cost. Am I reading correctly that Indiana is significantly more expensive than Northwestern? I applied just before the final deadline (May 1) and assume I may have missed my shot at a fellowship, or any financial aid.
Prestige. It seems like Indiana has the better reputation in some areas, but on the surface Northwestern sounds prestigious...?
Any advice/suggestions is appreciated--I'm torn!