<p>So I have a dilemma on my hands. I have the Langsdorf to WashU (full tuition) and McKelvey (5000 dollar research grant) plus national merit. On the other hand, I have the Cornelius Vanderbilt from Vandy (obviously) which is also full tuition, plus a 5000 dollar research grant, plus national merit. Money-wise they are comparable. Location-wise, I personally think Nashville is a better city than St. Louis, in terms of weather, safety, and distance from home. WashU seems more serious in education, while Vandy, though there are terrific students seems more free-spirited. Student, wise WashU is proabably more diverse, but Vandy draws in 65% of students from out of state, mainly from New York, and other coast places. Campus-wise, WashU is more picture perfect and beautiful, while (to me) Vandy seems to have natural beauty (state arboretum) and is sunnier. That does not seem to bother me. I know washU has a better med school, but I am far from med school right now and know that washU's med school is tougher and Vandy's med school is directly on campus. This is what I've taken away from my visits and overnight stays at the two colleges.</p>
<p>I will be going into biomedical engineering with premed track. Can someone please comment on the curriculum of the two schools, the faculty, the atmosphere? Basically, my heart wants washU, but how can I propose a convincing argument in favor for this?</p>
<p>My S’s main choice was between Wash U and Vandy and we suffered through it. Although he loved Vanderbilt too, he chose Wash U. We all felt that it was better academically. People talking about Vanderbilt seem to talk about the social life, whereas people talking about Wash U seem to talk about the academic programs. Ultimately, I think my son preferred the Wash U campus although I thought Vanderbilt’s campus was more beautiful. It is a very difficult choice and you really cannot go wrong. Good luck!</p>
<p>This:
“Basically, my heart wants washU, but how can I propose a convincing argument in favor for this?”</p>
<p>When it really comes down to it, when everything looks the same and you have to look for reasons for one school over another, you have to go with your gut.</p>
<p>No one can tell you which school you’ll like better- hell, you’ll probably be happy at both. But if your heart is telling you WashU, trust it.</p>
<p>(That’s essentially how I chose WashU over Duke, and I’m unbelievably happy at WashU)</p>
<p>I would say that as a BME major, you have to make sure you’re being realistic about your academic expectations for college. The BME program here at WashU is very demanding (very rewarding though); are you ready for and excited about that? Or would you rather take it easy (comparatively) since it seems you plan to go med school? As a student at WashU, you’ll be surrounded my students who were confronted with a similar choice, and chose WashU because they wanted to be challenged. That excites me; if you choose WashU, I hope it excites you too!</p>
<p>I think deep down you know where you want to go/belong, and you made this thread to have people tell you that you’re right. You’re 18 now (or 17 or whatever)…no choice you make at this point can be a wrong choice. I don’t think you need a bunch of internet strangers telling you what to do.</p>
<p>I personally would choose Vandy, but that’s because I live a half hour away from WashU and I need to get out of StL for awhile (though I do really love the city).</p>
<p>You could pick either one and I’m sure you would be amazingly happy with your choice. I say go with your gut.</p>
<p>Hi
I have been looking for posts on WashU scholarships and saw that you were awarded a scholarship. My son was accepted to WashU ED and is applying for the Langsdorf/McKelvey scholarships. WashU was his absolute favorite school and he got to visit some great ones.</p>
<p>Do you have any advice for scholarships? I know they are very competitive. My son has great test scores (36 act, 800’s on 3 subject tests, 4.0 unweighted gpa), national merit commended, 5’s on 5 aps, 5 more his senior year, has some research & great rec from them, ok ec’s, will play a sport at WashU. </p>
<p>Phasmatis
Your post has too much bragging I think. Maybe next time just state that the financial decision is the same for both schools. It seems like you just wanted to tell us about all the scholarships you were awarded and the research grants. </p>
<p>If you do attend WashU, you probably want to check the ego - it really doesn’t fit with the WashU community.</p>
<p>GL with your decision. I think either school is a good choice.
Like most WashU students I selected WashU over two other top schools.
WashU was the right fit for me. I am very happy with my decision.</p>
<p>onecot, this thread is nearly two years old. The last poster simply posted their question on a not really related thread (btw wander7, Please make a new thread, or post on the questions thread rather than reviving a dead one. Thanks!)</p>