Hi! My DS has narrowed his options for Fall 2022 to Georgetown, Wash U and USC. He was also accepted to U of M and loved everything about it (the social vibe of the nice kids, the school spirit) except how big it was and how cold the weather. His major is political science but he is also interested in a potential double major or minor in CS. He’s not sure about CS but wants somewhere with the flexibility to do that as an option. Based on our research, all these schools offer the capability of a double major or minor of CS (unlike the UC’s which is also why we struck them from his list altho they also have a good vibe of open, down to earth people).
He generally doesn’t want a super greek culture (red flag for USC). He is a social, curious person who is interested in a place where people are friendly and down to earth and ihe wants the kind of traditional college experience where people are intellectually curious and want to talk all night about random topics and become friends with people in their dorm. All of these schools are amazing although none were his top choice (which were Stanford and Brown). These are his concerns:
Georgetown- great classes, vibe, city. Cons: Pre-professional and the exclusivity of the clubs sounds difficult for social life? Is it possible to have fun and have a social life if you can’t get into the clubs and aren’t in a frat? Don’t people just socialize within their dorms?
Wash U- great campus, advising, ease of double majoring. Cons: Not loving St. Louis and worried about the academic intensity of the campus. Are people having fun and socializing or is it very serious?
USC- best weather (and near home which is a plus), great alumni network for California and lots of school spirit. Good academic support and supposed possibility for CS major (altho worried it might be overimpacted?). Cons: Greek life/housing. We’ve been told that the greek life is predominant and exclusive and it isn’t like my college experience where anyone can go to a frat party. Also because of housing (most stay only in first year) and that many students go home on weekends, the social life doesn’t center as much around hanging in the dorm and partying there. If you’re not greek, how easy is it to find a social life?
I know this is a super long email. Hoping it provides future parents with more granular details about these schools as they weren’t subjects we were really looking at until after DS was admitted.
Thank you! Your info has been invaluable in this process.
I cannot speak about the schools, but do want to say that St. Louis is a GREAT city! There is so much to do (pro sports, parks, great dining, seasons). I am a former Californian and have lived all over the country (except for NE). We lived just outside St. Louis and loved it. The people in the Midwest are so friendly.
I can only speak to WashU, but it is not the serious/intense vibe I think you are describing. In fact, it is almost the opposite where I question how my student has that much time to do so many social things and the only academic intensity is really from those students who impose it upon themselves it seems. It does lack the big time sports culture thing though.
My student is enjoying St. Louis. There is a lot to do and lots of great places to eat. Like any college in/near a city you have to have your wits about you. Forest Park, the Loop, the Arch, and campus sponsored activities as well. Have seen pictures from the South 40 of kids hanging out on beautiful days, etc.
One of the reasons my student chose WashU was bc of the vibe from the students - felt it was collaborative but not competitive. He does have work but also has downtime for other activities and hanging out with friends.
Umm I would have to strongly disagree with equating the weather at Michigan (winter is approx 5 months of the year here : Nov-March into April) with St Louis (where there is about 6 weeks of winter with maybe 2 significant measurable snows per year). I have lived in both areas and to me St Louis is a “mild” climate compared to Michigan.
Please read my note again. I did not say they are the same. I noted a difference. But St Louis gets 16 inches on average ahd it’s cold and clearly OP doesn’t like cold.
Thanks for the responses. Just a clarification: DS doesn’t like the cold but sadly all his choices are in pretty cold weather except for USC. There is a bit of a difference in Michigan cold vs D.C./St. Louis cold which is a factor but not a determinative one. The fact that UM is so big in addition to being so cold makes it kind of lower on the list as the others school offer more academic support (yes, USC is big but it does provide more support than a state university). Thank you!
I would choose Michigan out of all of those schools, and from what it sounds like your son wants, Michigan comes closest. I honestly don’t think being 10 degrees colder or 2000 more kids to a class changes that.