Early Decision: WashU vs. Emory vs. UPenn vs. Rice

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've basically narrowed my early decision choice down to these 4 schools and need some help deciding where to apply. BTW-- please don't bring up $$. I get it, it's expensive. But that is something that I'll figure out, along with mi familia. Thanks!
I hope to be a PRE-MED student with the following major/minor:</p>

<p>WashU: Philosophy-Psychology-Neuroscience + Linguistics minor
Emory: Neuroscience- Behavioral Biology + Linguistics minor
UPenn: Biological Basis of Behavior + Linguistics minor
Rice: Neuroscience + Linguistics minor</p>

<p>So, here are the criteria. I would appreciate it if you could answer some of the questions:</p>

<p>A. Best school for my major (neuroscience) and pre-med</p>

<p>B. Competitiveness: Competitiveness is OK, but I don't want a cut throat environment (e.g. Cornell)...</p>

<p>C. Grade deflation: I need to keep my GPA up in the event that I do apply to medical school</p>

<p>D. Quality of life: Dorms, food, campus, safety, etc.</p>

<p>E. Surrounding city: St. Louis vs. Atlanta vs. Philly vs. Houston</p>

<p>F. Research opportunities</p>

<p>G. Do any have bad weather? I guess I'll find out when I visit. Rice was HOT, but not too bad. Haven't visited the rest just yet.</p>

<p>H. Overall prestige... (sorry, had to)</p>

<p>I. @ which school is early admission the BIGGEST advantage?</p>

<p>J. LAST QUESTION :) Overall, is there anything GOOD or BAD that you have to say about any of the schools that don't fall into the above criteria?</p>

<p>If you answer my questions I will love love LOVE you 5ever. Thank you ;)</p>

2

<p>

All are good schools. Emory continues to pour money into its NBB program. Keep a backup major as most students who start premed do not finish, often for reasons having nothing to do with GPA. After all, how much do you truly know about the various medical and other professions in the world?</p>

<p>

Emory students are competitive with themselves. That’s different than being externally competitive which I don’t think happens at any of the schools you’re considering.</p>

<p>

The average graduating GPA at Emory was a 3.38. This includes Oxford continuees who tend to have a lower GPA upon continuing to Emory’s Main campus.</p>

<p>

Emory’s dorms are incredible. Upperclassman housing situation can be a bit dicey although most students I know got the housing they desired. I enjoyed Emory’s food although I’ve also lived off of pasta and beans for weeks on end so perhaps my opinion should be discounted. The campus is built in an Italian Renaissance style. Some like it, some don’t. Here’s a video showcasing both the campus and some of Emory’s awesome qualities <a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh70E4hKTog”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh70E4hKTog&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Quality of life at all of the schools will be high. Far higher than most institutions. Emory’s a safe campus. Honestly the biggest danger comes from other students, not random muggings. </p>

<p>

Atlanta has quite a bit to offer students although Emory’s not actually in ATL like UPenn is with Philadelphia. It’s in an upper middle class suburb about three miles from “Atlanta proper”. I prefer this set up since it encourages students to stay on campus but still makes it easy to access concerts or other entertainment options if a student is so inclined. </p>

<p>

You’ll easily be able to access research at all of the schools on your list. Here’s a link to but one of Emory’s many research opportunity programs <a href=“Undergraduate Research”>Undergraduate Research;

<p>

Weather wise, Atlanta is better than Philadelphia and St. Louis. Drier and a bit colder than Houston. You can compare weather here <a href=“National and Local Weather Radar, Daily Forecast, Hurricane and information from The Weather Channel and weather.com”>National and Local Weather Radar, Daily Forecast, Hurricane and information from The Weather Channel and weather.com;

<p>

Depends on the region of the country. I live in Oklahoma now and when I first moved here, I was discussing my previous institution with some top professors at my school (transferred for major related reasons). They were extremely impressed that I transferred from Emory.</p>

<p>

Emory admitted roughly half of its class ED. ED1 applicants had a huge advantage, with over 50% of applicants accepted during that round. It’s caused some concern at the school (you can read about it here <a href=“Early Decision Presents Hazards | The Emory Wheel”>http://www.emorywheel.com/early-decision-presents-hazards/&lt;/a&gt; ) but applying ED absolutely confers advantages at Emory. </p>

3

<p>@whenhen Thanks SO much for answering all my questions. If you don’t mind me asking one more question, how was the social scene? Thanks!</p>

4

<p>I attended Oxford and stayed on campus for the most part. When I did go to Main campus it was either for Hillel (a Jewish group) related activities and/or parties. From what I’ve seen and heard from friends the social scene is extremely vibrant with a number of activities happening every day. If you’re bored at Emory it’s your own fault. </p>

5

<p>Overall Prestige: I’d say it goes Upenn, Emory, Rice, then WashU - at least in the Northeast. Lots of people seem to know about Emory around here for a school that’s so far away. </p>

6

<p>And in California many people, including the highly educated, think of UPenn as a Pennsylvania state school while Emory is a place where future pilots go to train (they’re thinking of Embry Riddle). In Oklahoma and Texas Rice is far more impressive, while I’m sure Wash U is considered excellent in the Midwest.</p>

7

<p>@guest15 Haha that is SO strange! I would think it’d be Upenn, WashU, Rice, Emory. Good to know, though! i mean it isn’t a HUGE factor since they are all amazing schools :)</p>

8

<p>@whenhen Thanks for that :slight_smile: I guess prestige is kind of silly question when all the schools are spectacular</p>

9

<p>Yeah. And employers are all going to know these schools, regardless of where you are. Upenn will just have the ‘Wow’ factor since it’s an ivy and all, but they’re certainly all comparable in terms of the education they offer. </p>

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<p>bump(:</p>

11

<p>Penn is better in Neuroscience and Linguistics than these other 3 schools and is the stronger institution overall so I would suggest it over the other universities. Job opportunities from Penn are better than at these other 3 schools in case you change your mind from premed.</p>

12

<p>bump(:</p>