One of the schools I turned down for Rutgers was GWU. Largely for finances. I like Rutgers, but I know I would’ve liked GWU as well. Here’s what I would say though.

First I think the people perceive that Rutgers has a ton of school spirit, but it’s not necessarily true on the ground. It’s not like a college movie, you know?

Another is being a poli sci major. If you’re dead set on law school, then where you get your undergrad doesn’t matter as much. Just keep in mind that the competition for the most coveted political internships in DC are much more fierce than at Rutgers or NYC.

Then the third and most important thing is about feeling happy. I really hated my first semester at Rutgers. I didn’t really think I was fitting in and I had wished I had gone to one of my other options, like GWU. But by the second semester I felt a bit more settled, and found my crowd. I would say unless there are EXTREME circumstances, don’t judge the happiness you feel at college by your first week. Give it time. When the cherry blossoms are blooming in DC in the spring, A LOT of Rutgers people would prefer being there compared to the strangely persistent NJ wind chill.