<p>^^^^^</p>
<p>yes I know, my son is at USC as a computer engineer and very happy with his chosen University and the above mentioned activities he enjoys as well (well maybe not surfing). I tried to steer him another way 3 years ago but after three years i can say he has made a wise choice :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the replies. We do have a free trip to Wash U but no time to really go in the next 3 weeks. We are paying all costs so loans,etc not an issue.
I feel like he is leaning toward Rice or Wash U unless he gets in to the honors humanities program at USC which is pending…of course we are still waiting for replies from schools. Thinks USC for graudate school may be the way to go. So…Liberal arts–english, etc and having fun but wanting to learn as much as he can and study abroad will probably mean Rice or Wash U. He loves to learn but also likes sports–playing and watchin college level, going out,etc. Very well rounded.
Anyone with thoughts on Wash U re: dorms, etc would love to hear your input.
Will continue to read blogs until we make a decision.</p>
<p>What do you want to know about Wash U dorms? Most freshmen are in modern suite-sytle rooms in an area of campus known as the South 40, which very much creates a community of freshmen. There is a lot of programming related to dorms – study breaks with food, BBQs, dances, etc. My son’s best friends are kids from his dorm and in fact he went on a service trip to work at an orphanage in Mexico over Spring Break that was organized by his dorm.</p>
<p>WashU dorms are amazing! The nicest I’ve seen (I feel they’re even better than Amhersts which everyone raves about). Most are two doubles connected by a shared bathroom, and most are new in good condition and have nice common areas. Another nice thing about the dorms is that they’re all clustered together, so it has a cohesive townlike feel. The food is also great :)</p>
<p>on the other hand, rice dorms may not be as nice (though they definitely aren’t bad!) but you do have a stronger residential college system. A lot of people like it and it can really enhance your experience, from what I’ve heard. Washu also has residential colleges but there isn’t as much of an emphasis</p>
<p>USC has one of the top cinema schools in the U.S. As an English major at USC, he can minor and take classes in many other departments and meet students who love film.
Also, check out the various opportunities for study abroad at the universities you have in mind. USC has incredible study abroad opportunities during the summer, fall, and spring.
I also suggest that you compare how the English departments compare at the universities you are considering. Rice is really a strong Engineering school. Not sure why someone would want to study English and film at Rice. Houston is hot and humid. I think your son will find a lot of creative and strong students at USC.</p>
<p>^^^ You know, it never ceases to amaze me how people always seem to throw out that why would anyone want to go to school in Houston since it’s hot and humid? I went to law school in New Orleans, which has the exact same weather as Houston (but with less available air conditioning), and no one ever seems to make that comment about New Orleans. Plus, Houston is generally only hot and humid from the end of May through September, so a student at Rice would only be impacted by this weather for about 1-1/2 months. On the other hand, Houston has gloriously mild, sunny, non-humid conditions in February and March and other months, when most other cities have miserable weather. I went to undergrad in Pittsburgh and it was miserably cloudy, freezing, rainy/snowy and dreary for most of the time I was at college. Yes, weather is a factor in most cities, but the weather in Houston is not only a negative for some months but a clear positive for most of the school-year months.</p>