I was recently accepted into both schools. I got a good financial aid package from Northwestern and would have some debt, but a really good package from Washu, where I would have no debt. I am leaning toward Washu but concerned that I won’t have as good a chance of getting into the PhD programs of my choice without a brand name like northwestern. (Especially because I might want to apply to graduate school at northwestern). So I have 2 questions:
Will I be better off applying to grad schools with a degree from northwestern? If so, is it worth the extra money?
Unrelated question. I know that top universities all lean left politically, but is one more left than the other? (More left would be a negative for me)
Northwestern is higher ranked than WashU, but both are considered to be top schools. Since you plan to go into a non-renumerative PHD program, save the money and go to WashU. It’s a great school, and your graduate program should you do that route will be more important in the long run.
Both student bodies are reputed to be very-pre-professional and not terribly politically active. However, Northwesterns faculty is reputed to be more somewhat more left-wing than the student body, and there have been BDS incidents on NU’s campus.
A few years ago, Wash U was ranked higher than Northwestern, so all in all the schools are very comperable, and is very highly regarded, so I don’t think it would impact your PHD program, in fact many colleges want you to have a different experience before accepting you to their program. My daughter attended Wash U and it is a rigorous and amazing academic place. She was also accepted at Northwestern. The professors at Wash U really care about the stuents and will go out of their way to help you with research, projects whatever you may want to pursue. I can’t say enough about the school. If you have more money offered, you can use the money you save for your Phd.
Forgot to add, Wash U has a diverse student body, Christian, Jewish, liberal, conservative, but a liberal bend, but no more than other universities that are not religiously based.
If you really want to go to grad school at Northwestern, do undergrad at WashU. Most graduate programs prefer that their admissions go mainly to people from other U’s so that there are a variety of backgrounds in the program as a whole. This also benefits the students: you will get a broader educational background and professional network if your undergraduate and graduate professors are different people.
Those two schools overall are peers. I don’t think one or the other gives a measurable advantage just as a name. It’s mostly going to be about what you do while you’re in school (grades, research, recommendations, etc)
@AroundHere There will be more research opportunities at Northwestern for my major. However, good grades will be harder to get there… what counts for more?
I have never been on a graduate admissions committee in linguistics. In general for grad school, you need both good grades and research experience. A glowing letter from your research advisor is also usually very important.
@soontobecolleger Chiming in to agree with others. They are peer institutions. Graduate student placement should be similar for both, unless Northwestern’s linguistics program is markedly better ranked than Wash U’s. Finally, if grad school is your goal, strive for the highest GPA possible.
@mamaedefamilia Northwestern has a full linguistics department. WashU has a small linguistics program/ less research. I will probably get better grades at WashU because Northwestern is known for tough grading and very rigorous courses with quarter System. I liked Northwestern a lot more when I visited though so I’m torn.