<p>I'm really torn between the two schools, and the majors are somewhat comparable. I also have considered Neurosci at Hopkins, but I've pretty much ruled it out. I visited both Wash U and Emory this past weekend, and absolutely loved both. The people at both schools are outstandingly friendly and the campuses are very homey and welcoming. I'll be doing pre-med, and some extracurricular musical activities (KWUR pre-o at Wash U looks awesome, and I'll def audition for an a cappella group). Both have incredible studying abroad programs, as well as world-class professors and research. Both have nearby hospitals, though Emory is right next to the CDC and the hospital is on-campus. I love the midwestern feel of Wash U, though Emory seems very familiar to me, as it still has the southern climate similar to Florida, where I'm from. Both have seasons, which is a major plus. Both have active Hillels, involved students, environmentally sound initiatives... On the flip side, it's looking like I'll get no aid from either.
There's tons of cancer research opportunities at Barnes Jewish Hospital, and Parkinson's and spinal cord injury research likewise at Emory. Neither is lacking in it, anyways. Any insight on which I should choose for the fall?</p>
<p>quippy - I doubt anyone can give you much help on this one, since you are clearly quite aware of the parameters involved. You are right, the two schools are very similar in many ways. Maybe I could say that Wash U has better dorms and food from everything I have heard. I know they are great at Wash U from family experience, can’t say at Emory directly except that people that have been to both schools say Wash U wins. And if you are a really talented singer, Wash U has some of the best a capella (that is the correct spelling btw) in the country. Someone said in a different thread that the main off campus social scene at Wash U (Delmar Loop area) is more accessable than the off campus stuff at Emory. Given how even everything else seems to be for the two schools, maybe those can be some decision parameters.</p>
<p>This is a tough call. If money was an issue, and Emory gave you a substantial amount more than Wash U, I might say go with Emory. Since money isn’t an issue, then I’d say Wash U. Since you can be in an a cappella group at either school, and you liked the student body at each of them, and both are in a suburban-yet-close-to-urban environment, I don’t know if Fit will be the deciding factor in this case. Although, as fallenchemist pointed out, Wash U will be closer (walking distance) to nearby things… Forest Park and the Loop. </p>
<p>PNP is purported to be a great interdisciplinary major at Wash U, and PNP / NBB at Emory are going to be pretty similar in the nature of the program. The study of the brain for a scientific, as well as psychological and anthropological, view. Good preparation for Med School, or Grad School in Psychology or a related field. </p>
<p>Wash U is generally regarded as having among the best science programs in the country. The Med School really helps this, and undergrads definitely benefit from it. I personally hate science and biology, but I know a handful people at Wash U who have turned down Ivies to do pre-med/PNP/etc at Wash U. Emory, while a solid school, never struck me as a Out of This World school that people would consider turning down for a higher rated school. </p>
<p>When someone asks who has the best science programs in the country, Wash U is probably going to always be mentioned in the listing. Emory will, more often than not, be an “also, they’re good too” type of a school. </p>
<p>Ok, so I’m not one to place much value in rankings, but they are useful to some degree and as a starting point. There isn’t going to be much difference between the #5 and #6 school, for instance, but as the gap grows larger between schools, I think it’s reasonable to say that there may be some difference in reputation, opportunities, and quality. Wash U has been stradling the #10 spot for many years now, while Emory has been just below #20 for several years. </p>
<p>Wash U’s medschool is #3, Emory’s is #22. However, Emory has the CDC headquartered there, so it’s going to win for Public Health (Wash U just started a program in public health like no more than 2 years ago). For everything else science-related, and just for Life Sciences on the whole, I think Wash U is generally regarded as the superior place though. </p>
<p>Emory has more general education requirements, where as Wash U’s requirements aren’t as intense or time consuming. You’re going to have an easier time exploring more areas and double majoring at Wash U, for the most part. </p>
<p>The student bodies will probably be pretty similar, but Wash U will have more of a midwestern vibe, while Emory and Atlanta will have more of a Southern vibe. I spent a lot of time in Florida when I was young, and Florida is a different type of “south” than Georgia is. Which isn’t necessarily either good or bad (it depends on your preference), but it isn’t the same. </p>
<p>Again, you probably can’t go wrong with each individual school, but when making a choice between them, I think Wash U tends to come ahead more often than not. </p>
<p>But, hey, no matter which one you choose… they play in the same conference in sports, so you can always have some sort of minimal exposure to the one you don’t pick :)</p>
<p>I’m doing the KWUR pre-o!..so if you go to washu, I’ll see you there! But I’d hurry and decide…according to the Facebook group, at least 6 people are already doing it and there are only 15 spots.</p>
<p>Thanks, fallenchemist and vbball90! Very helpful. I’m definitely leaning towards WashU, and will 99% go; just waiting for final fin. aid from Emory. Oh, and I was actually referring to the familiar climate in Georgia, hahah. princessbell, awesome! I know, I need to basically decide tomorrow so I can sign up before it’s too late! That program is going to be so so cool.</p>
<p>Which program is less “sciency?” I am not very interested in the biological side of cognitive science (although I do have some interest in it) and am more interested in anthropology/linguistics/psychology. It looks like PNP has more of what i’m looking for, but I would like to know more about NBB</p>
<p>I looked at Wash U and Emory this year. I am going to Wash U. Things I didn’t like about Emory (might be different for you):
The campus seemed all cement - tall buildings and not much grass.
The campus didn’t see separated from the community around it.
Jr.'s and Sr.'s live on a different campus.
No college off campus social place like the Loop at Wash U. Didn’t get much out of my visit downtown Atlanta at night for dinner.</p>
<p>I also looked at Hopkins.
I had Wash U as my first choice.
Emory was 4th or 5th. I had Hopkins ahead of Emory.</p>