<p>So, I'm having a very difficult time deciding between the honors program at my state school and Wash U (I recently got off of the waitlist). I feel like Wash U has just about everything I'm looking for, but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money. Can any current students comment on the "cluster" system and the general requirements anyway? Is it difficult/a burden to fulfill these requirements? Does it leave much room for electives? I'm not yet sure about what I want to major in and I need some room for electives. Also, does anyone know if Wash U has a technology department or any sort of major regarding technology? And, last question, does Wash U have any classes that go on trips during breaks, like winter or spring break? </p>
<p>Any insight on Wash U would be really helpful, as I have to make this decision ASAP! Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello! I’m enrolling at WashU this fall. While I don’t have answers for all of your questions, I’ll chime in about technology classes. The main technology classes are in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. They have majors in computer science and computer engineering, plus minors in computer science, bioinformatics and robotics. The best part is that you will be able to take classes in the engineering school without special permission, regardless of your major. You could pursue a second major or minor in the school of engineering, too, regardless of your primary major.
Best of luck in your decision!</p>
<p>i’m going for a comp sci major, so if that’s what you’re looking at I could probably comment on that. As far as the cluster system though, I can’t really say much - first, they’re changing the system significantly (either your year or the year after, I believe), and secondly if you’re doing a technology-related major, you’ll probably be in Engineering, in which case you don’t need to worry about Clusters anyway. </p>
<p>In Engineering, however, the general requirements are pretty easy to complete. I’m fulfilling the majority of my general reqs by just getting a minor in Text and Tradition (it’s a first-year program you have to sign up for early), other than that I just have to take two Social Sciences classes, and the relevant math and writing courses.</p>
<p>With regards to the cluster system, it often proves an issue only for transfers. Starting here freshman year, with some careful planning you should be able to get your requirements out of the way fairly quickly and easily. It can be annoying in that the distinctions between the various category clusters can be rather arbitrary, and depending on your interests, some areas may be devoid of a single appealing cluster option. Also, the clusters rely on classes being offered with a certain frequency, which is always subject to chance, meaning you may plan for one thing only to be screwed out of it. But really, it isn’t a serious problem.</p>
<p>As to the changes others mentioned, they should take place around 2010/2011, so this may or may not impact you. The same is true if you’re an engineer, which as others said, seems most likely from your area of interest. On the plus side, if you try it out and dislike it, switch between schools is fairly painless, and then completing the cluster requirements would be no harder for you than those of us that transferred in to WashU. </p>
<p>As for courses set over breaks that involve trips, I don’t recall any offered, except maybe one UCollege course. And generally full time undergrad opt not to take such courses anyway.</p>
<p>I believe some of the freshman seminars offer trips over spring break. Some of my daughters friends went to Argentina and others to Cuba based on the freshman seminar they signed up for-</p>
<p>A portion of the freshman seminars include trips abroad, including to Cuba (as hoff1836 mentioned) and to Ireland. The seminars are subject to change though, and different locations may be offered in future years. Also, students in the Pathfinder Program in Sustainability take two trips; one to the Mojave Desert and the one to Hawaii.</p>
<p>This year, there are FOCUS programs going to Ireland, Turkey, Cuba, and I think China and France/Germany as well as some other places.</p>
<p>The enrollment is limited to 14 (I think) students for each course though, and it’s partially based on a first-come, first-serve sort of thing, so you might have some difficulty getting into one.</p>
<p>I chose Wash U this year over Honors at SUNY Binghamton (top-ranked state school in New York), despite the 35,000 a year price difference. I had a few reasons for doing so, if I can convince you? </p>
<p>Basically as I was in the final crunch to decide between Wash U and Bing, the only factor that would have swayed me was money. Typical state school is just that…too typical. Not enough attention on the individual student, and students tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the other typical students. However, I felt that I got more attention at Wash U, and that the staff actually cared about making me want to attend. Also, I absolutely loved the Wash U campus- nice with open grassy areas and beautiful buildings. State College was more modern buildings, basically just looked like a bunch of high school buildings piled together on a campus. And I feel like Wash U can definitely help you get through the Cluster system, as there are advisers to help you plan out your schedule so everything works out for you.</p>
<p>Hmm I have/had the same concerns as you. My dad advised me to go to WashU despite the price difference so I’m matriculating. As I see it… the research facilities are top notch and although you could still get into an excellent med school from a state school, you wont be as prepared. Additionally, after talking to the students, they claim that they feel like WashU spoils them, which is always a nice feeling to have.</p>
<p>I was reading their student run paper, studlife, and it said that they are trying to change the cluster system to make it easier on students, however, I don’t know how soon they would put this into effect.</p>