<p>I've been accepted to both Washington University in St. Louis and Northwestern University for a Biology Major (pre-med), and am currently in a deep quandary over which school to attend. I've seen the other threads on CC about these two colleges, but none seem to fully address my questions.</p>
<p>I've visited both campuses and have loved them. My perceptions:</p>
<p>WUSTL:
-Slightly smaller school
-Majority undergrad (so maybe more research opportunities?)
-Excellent pre-professional advising
-Best food and dorms in the country</p>
<p>NU:
-Better overall reputation and name recognition
-Majority grad students (so maybe less research opportunities for undergrad?)
-Chicago!!
-Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program</p>
<ol>
<li>Which school will allow undergraduates more opportunities to perform biological research?</li>
<li>Is Greek life at Northwestern overwhelming? I'm not interested in it, so will I feel pressure to rush?</li>
<li>Which school is stereotypically perceived as the more "nerdy" type?</li>
<li>I know Northwestern's chem program is phenomenal. But how is its biology major?</li>
<li>How would you characterize the social scene at WashU?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you so much guys! I really, really appreciate this. It means a lot. </p>
<p>“Majority grad students” - NO! Much more undergrad focus here. Bio is great with tons of research opportunities in both Evanston and on Chicago campus. Greek life very similar at both schools - Greek “lite.” Nerds are welcome, a dime a dozen, on both campuses (just try hanging around Tech). Biggest difference as I’ve stated in the past is Wash U often feels “cozier,” especially starting out as an underclassman. For some this proves limiting by the time junior year hits, for others it’s more than enough. Northwestern will offer less intimacy but a sense of more options, more opportunities. In many ways this is a reflection of the difference one might see in opportunities between surrounding big city Chicago and small city St. Louis.</p>
<p>Greek life is not lite at NU. It is actually quite active, and there are many more frats and sororities, most housed in beautiful gothic style buildings in separate quads. At WashU the sororities are nonresidential.</p>
<ol>
<li>Which school will allow undergraduates more opportunities to perform biological research?</li>
</ol>
<p>Can’t say which has more opportunities, but there are plenty of UG research opportunities at NU. A handful of my friends are or have worked in at least one lab at some point.</p>
<ol>
<li>Is Greek life at Northwestern overwhelming? I’m not interested in it, so will I feel pressure to rush?</li>
</ol>
<p>It’s pretty ubiquitous, but there are other things to do. Lots of clubs and club sports teams to keep you busy if you aren’t the Greek sort.</p>
<ol>
<li>Which school is stereotypically perceived as the more “nerdy” type?</li>
</ol>
<p>Probably Northwestern. No idea, though.</p>
<ol>
<li>I know Northwestern’s chem program is phenomenal. But how is its biology major?</li>
</ol>
<p>Amazing, brilliant, and utterly brutal. If you’re doing science, you better really, really want your science. Maybe pick up a second major outside the natural sciences to maintain some balance in life.</p>