<p>Don't have any regrets about choosing WashU. My son was so disappointed in his freshman year at his Ivy that he went AWOL. He has chosen to return for his soph year, and thinks he has figured out a way to make it work for him. However, he thinks the whole place is about image and prestige, and that a much better education can be had elsewhere. I'm hoping he will feel differently this year, but he regrets giving up some of the top LACS.</p>
<p>OP- do you wear the same clothes,listen to the same music, watch the same tv shows, etc.. as every one else? If you have an ounce of self respect you will ignore the US News zombies and focus on what makes you happy. If that Wash U, than you would be a fool to go somewhere else.</p>
<p>This is you first adult decision, dont think like a child in making it.</p>
<p>I stumbled on this message board because I was looking for a (free) posting of the 2008 US News Rankings of Wash U, my alma mater. </p>
<p>If you love it, go for it. You will be limited in no way by going to Wash U. I went to Wash U, loved it, and it served me well, as I received a full tuition scholarship to medical school. But my time there was more than just a means to an end, I met interesting people and lifelong friends. The classes were great, I wish I had a chance to take more, there was a lot of support for students, and dorm life was something I'll never forget. The thing that most stood out during my time at Wash U was how much everyone loved it. My freshman floor felt like my family and my home. I am sure you can find someone to disagree, but I feel like the social, academic, and life experiences I received were second to none there.</p>
<p>Maybe we should discuss the value of the graduate degree, vis-a-vis the undergraduate degree. If two students, one having gone to, let us say, Princeton, and the other having gone to, for example, NYU...decide to apply to law school, and the Princeton grad goes to Cardozo, and the NYU grad goes to Penn, all things being equal (approximate gpa, standing in class, journal participation, etc.) whom do you think is more likely to find it easier to become employed by a top firm?
We could ask this question of other professions, like medicine, or Wall Street MBAs, or educators...What do you think is the net value is of an undergraduate degree, if the graduate degree reflects a different prestige level?</p>
<p>Momofwildchild...What a great post for all those who choose to listen closely to what you are saying.</p>