Running out of time ... Wash U / Rice/ or Harvard

Colleges & Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>I posted this on the Harvard thread and the Rice thread and I wanted to see what Wash. U students thought about the situation. I'm not tryin to be a troll. </p>

<p>Hey!
Just want to first say thanks for at least looking at this thread, even if you don't comment. My problem is that I just waited to long to decide. I'll take info from this thread with a grain of salt , but I would just like your opinion if you have one on what you would do if you were put into my situation.</p>

<p>I'm an african female from the south (Texas). I come from modest means. My life goal is to become a doctor and no mattter how hard it is.. how much I cry... or how bad it gets... nothing is going to stop from being a doctor, even if that means I have to reapply after graduationg from college.</p>

<p>I want to major in either organismal biology or biochemistry). But I also think that I would like to major in international policy or eceonomics. </p>

<p>I believe that I would be considered an average student at all three of these schools, but I work hard. </p>

<p>Money is not an issue b/c of financial aid , thankfully.
I visiteed all three schools.
Rice was fun. I went to two classes. One on human sexuality which was slightly boring and another on voting theory which was really good. </p>

<p>Wash U: GREAT... but I didnt really mingle with the entire student body because I went to the multicultural weekend. </p>

<p>Harvard: Just came back and loved it. I love the weather and the cool people I met there and I have a sibling there.</p>

<p>I want to go to a place that offers research oppurtunites, discussion in classes , flexibility, and school pride. I want to go to a school that is politically active. </p>

<p>I know that TF's normally teach classes at Harvard but I'm willing to make an extra effort to gain a connection with any and all the teachers I have not simply for reccommendations for med school , but because I really have a lust for learning. </p>

<p>I also want a place with great pre-med and graduate school advising.</p>

2

<p>Wash U is great, but if you can, go to Harvard, my cousin is there and she loves it and it's much easier to get summer internships on the beautiful Boston than here in St. Louis with steamy hotter summers far form the ocean.
Congratulations!</p>

3

<p>If you really love Harvard, go there.</p>

4

<p>I have a friend whose first born, a D, went to Harvard - a school she had dreamed of going to all her life. After she got there she spent a miserable 4 years (even after the boyfriend joined during her sophomore year). I believe she never felt like the professors or administration were very interested in her as a person. (She went to a small private high school - 100 grads). My friend felt like the admin never gave her (the mom) any credence either. And communication between the school and families was sorely lacking. </p>

<p>Her second born, a S (also a grad of the same private high school), went to Wash U. My friend describes the atmosphere as night and day with Harvard - said the Wash U admin and professors really seem to be attentive to the students (and to their parents). Her third born, a S, applied ED to Wash U and will be going in the fall.</p>

<p>Take it for what it's worth - all hearsay; you probably already have a better sense of the truth of what I was told about Harvard experience since you have a sibling there - and maybe those things (even if true) aren't important; and my D will be going to Wash U.</p>

5

<p>Yes and kpamal's story is not just an isolated case. When I visited WashU I was doing interviews at the medical school and talked with a current WashU med student who had done undergrad at Harvard. Simply put: she hated it. She was very irritated with how Harvard is more focused on grad students and felt that often professors ignored students. I'm sure not all of them, but that was the impression I got from her. Also, I know of a girl who is turning down Harvard, Yale, and a full scholarship to Duke for WashU. Not a wise decision in my opinion with a full ride from Duke, but you would not be alone in turning down Harvard. I really do not know much about Rice...have a friend who is going there for the Rice/Baylor program though, and he is very excited.</p>

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<p>Go to Harvard. If you don't like it after a year (or semester), you can always transfer out, but I know people who love it there.</p>

7

<p>It seems like you can at least eliminate Rice - it seems like you prefer WashU and Harvard over it.</p>

<p>IMO, go where you think you'll be happiest. You can always go somewhere else for med school, and if you're honestly unhappy, you can always transfer after a year or so.</p>

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<p>I think you should go to Harvard. It will open up the most possibilities to you.</p>

9

<p>Although many people would say that Harvard is vastly superior to Wash U or Rice in your intended major(s), don't go to Harvard unless you are willing to do what it takes to succeed in that environment.</p>

10

<p>I would suggest Harvard. First reason is because I have many friends there and they describe it as just what you are looking for. They have a great political environment, econ would be great there, and pre-med is still very doable. Second, if you ever think about transferring, you would be a in a much better position by transferring out of Harvard, because I think almost any other school will take you just based on Harvard's high admission standards, and the fact that you got in. Also, I think Harvard is the most flexible for financial aid out of the three. I think if you don't take advantage of this opportunity of going to Harvard, you may regret it later, but again, take my advice as just an opinion. Good luck!</p>