Northwestern vs. WashU

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm probably applying to both of these schools and have some questions...</p>

<p>Academically, and reputation-wise, which one is better? Both are extremely good, nationally-ranked universities but to me WashU just seems "better." I don't know why this is considering it is an up-and-coming school despite its very high national ranking (tied with NU for #12) and also Northwestern is much better known. Your opinions? To me WUSTL seems a bit more professional. Both of these schools compete with Notre Dame and UChicago for the best of the midwest award (even though Chicago is much more difficult, and ND has higher average test scores).</p>

2

<p>actually, NU has higher test scores :p</p>

3

<p>Even though WashU and Northwestern are currently tied for #12, they are two very different schools. I went to WashU and have been to Northwestern and UChicago before. I know that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but IMO UChicago and WashU are equally beautiful but Northwestern’s campus was rather depressing (maybe because I went there in winter and all the ivies already died). But in term of school spirit, I think Northwestern wins because it is in BigTen. You should also think about what you wanna major in. Both Northwestern and UChicago do not offer undergraduate Business major. What I suggest is to visit these schools and see it for yourself.</p>

<p>Btw, I dont think WashU is more professional compared to NU and UChicago. WashU is like a LAC.</p>

4

<p>Yeah I’ve been to NU and it was a bit depressing. The library reminds me of soviet-era apartments for some reason, with the huge concrete slabs…</p>

<p>And freightrain, ND actually has higher test scores, according to this</p>

<p>[Top</a> 500 Ranked Universities for Highest ACT 75th Percentile Scores](<a href=“USA University College Directory - U.S. University Directory - State Universities and College Rankings”>Top 500 Ranked Colleges - Highest ACT 75th Percentile Scores)</p>

<p>And most other websites, which put the 25-75 percentile at ND at 32-34, and at NU it is 30-33.</p>

5

<p>[College</a> Search - Northwestern University - NU - SAT®, AP®, CLEP®](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)
NU ^</p>

<p>[College</a> Search - University of Notre Dame - SAT®, AP®, CLEP®](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)
ND^</p>

<p>NU has higher SATs whereas ND has higher ACTs by 1pt</p>

6

<p>Thanks freightrain, I guess we were just looking at different numbers.</p>

<p>And BearCub, how did you like WUSTL? Did you find you were prepared for a successful career (and hopefully lucrative) after you graduated? How was the undergrad experience?</p>

7

<p>^^ I did not major in Business, I majored in Psychology. So, I guess I was prepared to go to grad school. I had 3 different research experiences with 3 different professors while I was there. So, I guess from the liberal arts stand point, WashU does offer plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with the research that are going on there. I am not sure about the other schools at WashU. I like WashU a lot because of its friendly and welcoming environment. One thing that I really hate is just the name…which does not fit into a single line on the sweatshirts. haha… But I’m not a US citizen, so the name Washington really stands out when I go back to my home country. Anyway, I hope you visit the school some time before applying there. I have met many people who turned down higher ranked schools for WashU after one visit. So, be prepared! =)</p>

8

<p>NU’s campus is depressing in the winter but in the summer and in the fall, it’s BEAUTIFUL. Spring quarter is awesome 'cause you can study by the lakeside and everyone is so happy :)</p>

<p>Of course, when the snow comes, it’s an entirely different atmosphere.</p>

<p>And though I just spent one year there [eff the lack of applied physics,] my freshman year experience was perfect.</p>

9

<p>My daughter got into both, and will be studying International / Global Studies. We’ve visited the campus in Evanston 3 years ago and just returned from St Louis/WUSTL last week. Both are very intriguing. Any recommendations on factors to consider when applying? Is anyone else choosing between these two?</p>

10

<p>I suggest you contact the poster limabeans - IIRC, he (I think it’s a he) has a child at each school. I’m an NU grad who is familiar with WashU and honestly, I think they are fairly similar schools to one another in terms of general look, feel and student body. Congrats to your D.</p>

11

<p>As between those two, I’d go with the student’s personal preference. He/she will be there for four years, and a happy student is likely to do better.</p>

<p>The US News rankings are inexact, at best.</p>

12

<p>We could use my awesome reputation/prestige ranking that I awesomely created:</p>

<p>(Prestige Score) US News top 30 PA scores/ HS counselor scores/ Selectivity Rankings (scaled)</p>

<p>4.9 Harvard 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9
4.9 MIT 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9
4.9 Princeton 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9
4.86 Yale 4.8 | 4.9 |4.9</p>

<h2>4.83 Stanford 4.9 | 4.9 |4.7</h2>

<p>4.73 Columbia 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8
4.7 Caltech 4.6 | 4.6 |4.9
4.63 Brown 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.7
4.63 Cornell 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.6
4.63 Penn 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8
4.6 Duke 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7
4.56 Dartmouth 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.7
4.56 Johns Hopkins 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.4
4.56 UC Berkeley 4.7 / 4.6 | 4.4
4.53 Chicago 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5
4.53 Northwestern 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6</p>

<h2>4.5 Georgetown 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.6</h2>

<p>4.43 Wash U 4.1 | 4.4 |4.8
4.33 Carnegie Mellon 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.2
4.33 Notre Dame 3.9 | 4.6 | 4.5
4.33 Rice 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.5
4.3 Michigan 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.1
4.3 Vanderbilt 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.3
4.26 Emory 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.4
4.23 UCLA 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2
4.23 USC 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.3
4.2 UVA 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0
4.16 Tufts 3.6 | 4.5 | 4.4</p>

<h2>4.06 UNC Chapel Hill 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.7</h2>

<p>3.83 Wake Forest 3.5 | 4.3 | 3.7</p>

<p>Northwestern is in another tier than WUSTL. So go with Northwestern</p>

13

<p>^ I do hope this last recommendation was made tongue-in-cheek :)</p>

14

<p>I know many visitors think WashU campus is beautiful but I think Northwestern campus is more scenic and dynamic. Also, WashU campus is smaller and after being there for a year, I felt like I’ve seen it all and I started to get a bit jaded (you won’t get that as a visitor). NU has the lagoon and the Lake (which looks more like the Ocean) and I never got tired of looking at them.</p>

15

<p>Outside of Midwest location, don’t really see these schools as similar. </p>

<p>Northwestern is what you want it to be. Lots of kids never leave campus/Evanston, lots of kids head into Chicago every weekend day. There are tons of wonky engineering, sciency types, tons of creative theater, music types, and tons of save-the-world future muckraking Medill types. With the lakefront campus, an adjoining town with dozens and dozens of restaurants/bars/clubs, and Chicago at your doorstep, boredom is not an option and opportunities for internships/work exposure are boundless.</p>

<p>Wash U is a much more campus centered place, in part, out of necessity. Lots of stuff to do on campus, much school sponsored. The social scene is more uniform. The loop is a great appendage but gets been there-done that pretty fast for many. St. Louis is, to put it gently, not exactly my vision of a college town. </p>

<p>For IR, don’t think academics should be the deciding factor in daughter’s decision. Would focus on fit, and remember, as Sam Lee points out, what a HS senior sees on a tour or a freshman experiences for one year, may not translate into what they want out of a four year stay.</p>

16

<p>The art kids at WU play much the same role as the theater/music kids at NU.</p>

17

<p>Yawn, Mr Prince. You don’t pick universities based on what impresses other people.
*</p>

18

<p>

</p>

<p>They’re three schools apart and your tier “borders” appear to be arbitrary.</p>

19

<p>NU and WUSTL are both well regarded in academic circles (and for the record, WUSTL has slightly higher [test</a> scores](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)). The WUSTL student body is an eclectic mix of studious premeds, corporate-track business students, creative art/architecture/music/dance/theater types, experts in late medieval French literature, community organizers, and future presidents.</p>

<p>For IR, WUSTL has a strong program and they recently opened a new center in DC (in collaboration with the Brookings Institution) to provide greater access to internships and opportunities at international think tanks.</p>

<p>In terms of location, some would say Evanston/Chicago is slightly nicer than STL, though WUSTL is in a very safe, affluent part of the city with access to upscale shopping districts, a wide variety of restaurants, urban parks, museums, etc. I would give the edge to WUSTL for its beautiful Collegiate Gothic [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/bartimus_maximus/4580122628/]campus[/url”&gt;Brookings Hall at Washington University (IMG_7190_edited-2… | Flickr]campus[/url</a>], dorms, and food. </p>

<p>NU also has a more prominent Big Ten sports atmosphere whereas WUSTL has a highly-successful DIII program. I would say visit both and make a decision based on personal fit.</p>

20

<p>I happen to think both campuses are beautiful in very different ways. I wonder if WUSTL gets small after a few years? We need to revisit NU for fit as you all recommended. Any ideas on research or internships in Inter. Relations or Global Studies in either?</p>