If you can look for a week or two, and get a feel for what's available, you might find something you really like. I would look for a bike that has eyelets for a rear rack-handy for commuting when it's 100 F and you don't want to wear a backpack.

Anything new is flashy. We had a buddy who had a nice, new Specialized, and he was always having parts taken-I still have my Davis bike and it is now reborn as a grocery grabber. Find something cool...beater cool, and make it your own. Keep it mechanically sound and try not to crash in the traffic circles whilst ogling the amazing Aggie coeds~