<p>Thanks so much for the info. I'm a humanities/social sciences student, so on that note, WashU is stronger (from what I gather) but Rice's program is still strong. Academically, both have what I'm looking for (research emphasis, personal attention from professors). What I like about Emory are the Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society and the Gender Studies (top 10 nationally for faculty research output).</p>
<p>I'd consider St. Louis weather mild, since I'm coming from Chicago. I haven't experienced Houston weather yet, but I hear the weather in Atlanta is really nice. I have family near St. Louis and Atlanta and friends in Houston. What I like about Rice are the free/discounted passes to events/cultural attractions! WashU offers a free Metrolink pass and some discounts as well.</p>
<p>I'm so lucky to have the options that I do. Tomorrow, I'll find out if I'm accepted to Northwestern, though the Fedex package is a strong indication that it's an acceptance. I'm going to have a tough time deciding, that's for sure. Every school on my list has been my first choice at some point.</p>
<p>I'm supposed to hear from Cornell in mid-December, but I don't know if I could find out early.</p>
<p>Congrats on all the admissions! I know your decision will be difficult. I agree that St. Louis winters are relatively mild, even though there is some snow and ice in St. Louis, it ususally doesn't last long. My vote is for WashU! Good luck and best wishes!</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I have to decide on Rice's offer today and WashU's tomorrow. I wish I had the luxury of visiting Rice, but I don't have the money or the time. I also don't have the $300 deposit to hold onto my spot for longer (it's non-binding but non-refundable), and the deadline can't be extended (I asked). As much as I love Rice (last year, I thought about applying only there but things got in the way and it didn't happen), I will likely have to turn it down tonight. It's heartbreaking. I remember last year when I'd spend so much time browsing the website trying to picture myself as a student there. Now, I finally have that option, but I'm turning it down.</p>
<p>Yikes, I just declined Rice's offer. It's not easy making life-changing decisions :)</p>
<p>Cost will be a major factor. Northwestern will let me know my financial aid award tomorrow by phone. </p>
<p>The fact that I haven't heard from Cornell complicates things. </p>
<p>I'm definitely in love with WashU and Northwestern, but I can't say the same about Cornell only because I haven't visited. I do like what I've read about it online.</p>
<p>Cornell is not in a city. Northwestern and WashU are in or near metro areas. Does that make a difference to you?</p>
<p>I grew up in St. Louis. In my opinion, the winters are pretty mild overall. Northwestern will be very cold and windy. Chicago is my favorite city, and I don't mind cold weather, but I think you should keep that in mind.</p>
<p>I've been living in Chicago for 9 years now actually. I don't like extreme cold, but I get through it. As long as I have gloves, ear muffs, and a thick coat, I'm good.</p>
<p>I applied to Cornell (the only school not near or in an urban area) because I thought I might want to try a new environment; I anticipate living in/near a city for the rest of my life. Also, I find the city distracting sometimes, so I wondered if living in Ithaca would help me stay focused on my schoolwork more. At the same time, I don't want to find myself wanting to get away from schoolwork from time to time and not have anything to do. I do like nature (hiking), but maybe I like just a little bit of it (the forest preserves in my suburb)?</p>
<p>Because the academics are pretty much on par with each other, my decision will depend on the following criteria (besides finances, of course):</p>
<p>Not in order of importance
-Nice library, preferably the historic type (I'm kinda picky about where I study, so a nice library helps)
-Lots of race/class interaction
-Lots of low-income students +++
-Lots of racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, geographic, ideological diversity
-Large % of non-drinkers
-Exposure to cultural activities (plays, operas, symphony concerts, etc.)
-Easy, cheap access to/from home (Chicago suburb)
-Few pretentious people
-Job & grad school placement
-Highest # of people with unique life experiences</p>
<p>My sons has friends at both Northwestern and Wash U. and they are all happy, so as you know, you can't go wrong.</p>
<p>The friends at Wash U are from an Indian family and a Korean family. I think you will have no problem with ethnic diversity.</p>
<p>You probably know this already, but there is a train between St. Louis and Chicago. No doubt a bus as well.</p>
<p>I don't know about the large number of non-drinkers at Wash U. I suppose because of the ethnic diversity, you will have no problems finding non-drinkers. </p>
<p>Wash U has a rep for being non-pretentious.</p>
<p>If you can get around St. Louis, there should be plenty of opportunity for play, concerts, symphony performances. The art museum is in Forest Park, across the road, summer-time has outdoor musical opera at the Muny, which is also in Forest Park. No one ever mentions this on cc, but there is world-class botanical garden in St. Louis, in the southwest part of the city. My favorite place to go in St. Louis. </p>
<p>If you like nature, but not necessarily the real wild outdoors, you should be very happy with Forest Park. Hiking, biking, running, picnicing, ice-skating, boating, and of course the Zoo. (Another favorite of mine. It is free.)</p>
<p>Let us know what you decide. You are in a good spot if you can make the finances work.</p>
<p>Btw, Northwestern has this program I really like called Human Development and Psychological Services, which will basically allow me to focus on applying social science research to real-world settings. In addition to this, I plan to double major in Gender Studies (an adjunct major, so the requirements are not rigid at all).</p>
<p>I wonder if there's an equivalent program at WashU? Maybe the focus on research implementation is well-integrated into other disciplines already? This might be the case for Northwestern as well, but the School of Education and Social Policy simply capitalizes on it with a specific focus (I know that both schools are big on research). I plan to major in American Culture Studies and/or Women & Gender Studies at WashU. I'm aware that WashU is strong in the behavioral sciences (#2 in anthro, #3 in behavioral/social sciences overall). Northwestern is in the top 10 as well in many social science areas, from what I'm told.</p>
<p>I applied to Cornell's ILR, which will allow me to focus on organizational behavior and have access to Cornell's LGBT Studies Program (rare among universities). It's basically about applying social science research to organizational/work settings and so will encompass such disciplines as sociology, anthropology, government, psychology, gender studies, etc. Its job placement is excellent. As a low-income student, I might need to work right after undergrad to pay off my loans (I think I will have ~$15,000 by the end of this semester!), so a high-paying job would be useful for some time before I go to grad/professional school. I might be able to do this with WashU/Northwestern as well though.</p>
<p>WashU's backyard sounds very appealing. On the other hand, Northwestern has the lake (though people can't really do anything besides run/walk on the shore). I do think that both St. Louis and Chicago have the cultural opportunities I'm looking for. St. Louis is cheaper though, from what I've heard?</p>
<p>Yep, I'm aware of the train. I took the plane on the way there and Amtrak back (I'm surprised by the smallness of the Amtrak station in St. Louis though... and I found it odd that it's not connected to the Union Station)</p>
<p>I'm pretty disturbed/annoyed by certain gender-related norms (i.e. guys holding the door open for girls only, girls wearing high heels, girls expecting the guys to do them favors, guys who choose the farthest urinals possible in the bathroom, guys' aversion to crossing legs), the cheesiness of religion (I told people I was going to be God for Halloween, and the people here were pretty freaked out; also, the saying of "God Bless You" every time someone sneezes; hesitation to criticize religion), consumerism (Abercrombie, eww), self-segregating gays/lesbians/queers, and the premium placed on artificial appearance-enhancers (especially hairgel). Which place would be best for me given the aforementioned concerns?</p>
<p>I don't know enough to comment on post 52, but I doubt there is a big difference in the culture of the two schools w/regard to the things you mentioned.</p>
<p>Re the train "station". That tin hut is one of the biggest embarrassments in St. Louis--and it has been there for over 20 years now! The train station used to be Union Station, but there was so little traffic they closed it and turned in into a now-failing shopping area. However, the city really is moving ahead now on building a new train station/bus station combo. It still won't be connected to Union Station, as far as I know, but it will be larger and better. Very strange shape, though. It is being built around and under several overpasses, so the building will have several sharp angles from one end to the other.</p>
<p>I'm under a lot of pressure right now. Northwestern financial aid is not good. $2625 parental contribution + $6250 in loans for winter/spring only. I don't know if my award is likely to increase, since Northwestern explicitly stated that FA is limited for transfers in their first year. </p>
<p>Mom prefers WashU.
Dad wants Northwestern.
Boyfriend wants Northwestern (he's upset but he understands)</p>
<p>.... decision on whether or not to turn down WashU (deadline today). Mom isn't willing to make a $450 deposit to extend the time I have to decide.</p>
<p>To many people, this decision sounds like a no-brainer, but I have so many contacts here (through my citywide leadership position and such) that I'm reluctant to lose them all.</p>
<p>Northwestern is accepting all my credits though.</p>
<p>Northwestern said that award will be for the entire year starting next year. So really, $5,000 yearly loans at WashU vs. $6250 at Northwestern. $0 contribution + $2,000 work-study at WashU vs. $2625 + $2300 (yearly) at Northwestern. I could use the $2,300 to pay for tuition & fees instead of personal expenses, so my parents will have to contribute only $325. The difference, in other words is $1,250 in yearly loans and $2,000 that I could use for personal expenses.</p>
<p>Cornell said none of transfer decisions have been made, so I won't hear back until right before Christmas.</p>
<p>Take a very deep breath. Where do you want to go to school? Forget mom, dad, and especially the boyfriend, unless you are engaged to be married.</p>
<p>You are the one who is transferring. They will not be going to class with you. Weather aside, I lived in the windy city when I graduated from school (West Rogers Park) and am quite familiar with Northwestern. D is applying to WashU (she grew up in Texas and Chicago is too cold), lovely school.</p>
<p>Look up placement following graduation. Can you find a job at the end of the day through their placement. Does your career path respect this school's reputation?</p>
<p>Hope this helps. For part time work there is tons in Chicago and relatively high paid.</p>