<p>Usually it would go Penn>brown>Wash U> gap…UNC</p>
<p>In your case Wash U probably makes the most sense, since it is a great school, which is just as selective as penn (with higher sat scores) and is really respected and improving. Hands down Wash U over UNC, especially since it is cheaper!</p>
<p>Wow, is there no one out there who’ll take UNC’s side? Four years of college is about a lot more than a US News rank you’ll wear on some T shirt. Is it just me, or do too many of these answers seem too CC predictable?</p>
<p>All four colleges you’ve named are “great schools,” but great for whom. If you want D1 sports and a traditional rah rah school spirit you’d better not head to Brown. If you want a city based campus with access to a major club scene you’d better not head out to UNC. If you want small college town brimming with charm and offering up warmer weather stay far away from Penn. Wash U, which you’re most familiar with, is probably the least pigeon-holed of these schools - less “extreme” or more bland depends on your point of view.</p>
<p>So, who are you? UNC has a great campus, incredible D1 sports, loads of vitality, a wide assortment of EC offerings, enormous school spirit, a manageable size, and enviable location. On the other hand, class size will generally be larger than your other options and you’ll find less hand holding on campus. While the school has a deservedly excellent reputation, it stills does sit just barely below your other choices. Connections post graduation in NC and the extended area will be very strong, but you’ll find a shorter reach than Penn, in particular, can offer nationally. What I would not be concerned about is the idea that in applying to medical school there will be some significant difference in your chances of acceptance. </p>
<p>Where should you go? Clearly, your best bargains are to be found at Wash U and UNC. But who are you? What are you looking for in a school? How much will up to $80K mean to you (in debt) or your family (straining their resources)?</p>
<p>These are things no one here on CC can answer. But no one can dismiss any of these options out of hand without knowing the above unknowns.</p>
<p>thanks wbwa for my favorite post so far. with UNC decisions around the corner, ive been flipping out a bit more. thanks for all your advice guys!</p>