<p>"Undergrad experience at WashU can be pretty impersonal..."</p>
<p>I'm mute on the subject because I don't know enough about each choice to compare or make a recommendation, but I will say that the comment in quotes has not been my sophomore son's experience in the least - quite the opposite!</p>
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[quote]
I guess I am in the minority, but I think having a sibling alumna can be a great asset for inside info and such, and having a sister with an apartment in Philadelphia for a Swat student is priceless...
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</p>
<p>I agree, but I can see both sides of the argument. The difficulty is that the younger sibling isn't in a position to know how the relationship will change between the kids once they are both "adults" out of the nest. It will change, most likely in a very positive way, but like so many aspects of college, it's impossible for high school kids, living at home, to visualize. Much like the flip side: how difficult it is for college kids to return to the "nest" after leaving.</p>
<p>Hi Folks,</p>
<p>A bit more news! Son opened the Brown website with his revised award, and they have increased his Brown University Scholarship $3000!! That is not quite as much as did Wash U, but it may be about the same once they take into account the fairly significant amount DH and I have to pay for health insurance and health care! Brown says it will continue to revise as information is obtained, should he go there! I am so excited. When I got home from school I had a note from my S, and he sounded pretty thrilled that they offered that much more already. He really does not want to burden the family financially, though we HAVE assured him that this is workable. Yea! Maybe the decision will be soon!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. ID, I do think it will be hard for S to turn down Swat, as he knows how special it is.</p>
<p>Momoftwins and Liz, I agree that St. Louis is a great place, and I know the opportunities Wash U would provide S are immense. I think he has a lot of folks around here who have been to Brown, and no one has been to Wash U, so those participating in the on-going debate leaning him toward Brown . . .we live in a college town where a lot of such talk goes on. I truly think he will be happy anywhere he goes, and am glad the choices have been so good for him. </p>
<p>Fireflyscout and Splashmom, thanks for your great support. You all are so wonderful!</p>
<p>SBmom, I think the people at Brown sound fabulous, varied and fascinating. The dear friend of my D who went there is one of the most interesting people I have ever known.</p>
<p>So, thanks again, and SURELY in a day I can say we are in the clear!</p>
<p>Wow momofthree good work with the finaid comparisons! Wonderful that Brown came up on the aid! I'm looking forward to hearing that he's made the final decision and to find out what it will be. You have to give him credit for thinking things through. Keep us posted. Looking forward to a post with lots of colors and exclamation points.
andi</p>
<p>Mo3:</p>
<p>I'm amazed that you even got him to apply to sis' school. I don't think my D would have. I would have told her, "sounds perfectly reasonable to me".</p>