I am currently enrolled at wustl for the class of 2022, but recently was admitted off the waitlist at umich. I am considering study of public health, public policy, or biology.
WashU has a strong med program, and I am also drawn to its small class sizes and close advising.Not that this matters, but it ranks slightly higher than umich according to most sources. I am a bit turned off by the ‘elitist’ atmosphere of the school.
I am drawn to Michigan because of its wide breadth of study in LSA and more diverse student population. It is also slightly less expensive than washu (not by much because I’m OOS). However, I am not a big party person and I’m also worried about the large size of michigan in terms of advising, access to career/research resources, and social scene. Unfortunately, because I was admitted off the waitlist the application for residential learning communities has closed (this would have been a good way to meet like-minded peers).
I would greatly appreciate any insight (i have to decline/accept the waitlist in 5 days !)
Thats a very tough decision. Michigan is big but a very high achieving school, so you will have no problem meeting like minded students there, and many OOS students pay full price for Michigan and are at the very top of their class to get admitted. Wash U will be a bit more personal and smaller class size, with similar student body. I don’t know that I felt Wash U is elitist, so much either, but that may be more of a perception/vibe thing. I got a very good vibe at Wash U, and know students who study graphic arts who are very happy, not elitist at all, and its not so elitist in engineering either I would say. Wash U Engineering has a 3-2 program with about 20 LACS, so students coming from other liberal arts schools, adding some new students for two years to campus, which makes for interesting student body mix.
I like St. Louis a bit better than Ann Arbor. There seems to be a lot of things to do in downtown St. Louis,
but Ann Arbor and U of Michigan are sort of synonymous, in my mind, so less of an actual city to explore.
Still Ann Arbor ranks in the top 10 college towns, so you are going to have plenty to do in Ann Arbor as well.
Weather is nicer in St. Louis. I personally like the Wash U campus better,
and the big park nearby with the zoo and music, is great for jogging. St. Louis near Wash U seems very safe to me.
Downtown is a bit more sketchy but you can get there safely with a group of students to go out.
As far as housing at Michigan, you may have to move off campus anyway after freshman year at Michigan so do not dwell on whatever freshman housing you get, its just a nine month experience. You can make friends at Michigan through clubs, and there are plenty, academic, religious, social etc.
Academics are going to be very comparable, so its a hard decision! Good luck, go with your gut.
I think the ‘elitisr’ vibe comes from WashU having a large number of students from higher income brackets, although I never got that feeling and my kid has enjoyed his experience so far.
Research opportunities are pretty easy to find, even for freshmen. One of the advantages for pre-med at WashU is that you will get an advisor to go along with your major advisor and 4 year advisor. There are also classes cross listed with Biology that explains the medical school application process and allows students to shadow at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
OP, are you a big sports fan? If so then Michigan might be the place with college football and the Big House. WashU is Division 3. Some people may think that life in Ann Arbor revolves around sports and defeating Ohio State.
One more factor might be how easy it is to get a good BCPM GPA. I would think that it would be just as hard to get a high GPA in science courses at UM as it is at WashU.
It’s yoir decision. Are you more comfortable at UM given its student body size as opposed to a smaller graduating class at WashU?
The poster said Michigan was less but not by much. Your situation is one of best fit and feel. You can make a large university small very easily and close advising is up to you. Same with relationships with professors etc. They are standing by ready to help you in anyway they can. As far as it being a party school or you have to go to parties/games … Well you are an adult now. You get to make those choices for yourself. My non party son just finished his freshman year and didn’t go to one party (or at least that is what he tells me). He met like minded kids and did things with them. He couldn’t find a club that interested him so he and others started their own with school backing and support. As far as research… Michigan is one of the top research facilities… Period. Email a professor or two and do research… Also they have one of the best career placements. You will get a job when you graduate…
Also forget about rank. It truly doesn’t matter at either school. No potential company that is offering you a job has any clue on rank. They do know the reputation of the schools in general and the types of potential employees they make.
Depending on where you come from it won’t feel to large of a school either. Most or all of your classes will be on central campus. It is very nice but really not that large. You will have tons of choices for food and entertainment but most will stick to their meal plan and splurge every now and then. My daughter goes to a private college with less then 2,000 students and didn’t think Michigan felt to large when visiting her brother on central campus.
You have two great choices so go with your gut and go blue!!
Michigan’s student population is not at all diverse. You would think it would be because it’s a state school, but almost half come from OOS and almost all of them are full pay. Nor is it racially diverse. It is illegal in the state of Michigan for state schools to consider race in college admissions. Therefore, the University of Michigan cannot build a class with racial diversity in mind.
@cryingchemist – I assume you made your decision already. I am trying to figure out what you mean by the “elitist attitude” at WashU. My student is a senior there and I have met many of their peers. To be honest, I don’t see an elitist attitude – I see people who work hard, are interested in the world around them and in making a difference. I can tell you that the support our student has received from WashU – and the involvement and interaction with the faculty and staff – has been superb. In fact, they received a grant to do research this summer at Barnes-Jewish. With three assigned advisors – College, Major, and Career – and many other interested faculty mentors and opportunities – college has been a great experience. Hard work, but great people. I can’t speak to Michigan but I can speak for WashU.
Also – the school is placing great emphasis on improving the Economic diversity of the school as well – with $500M endowment for scholarships and other non-loan assistance. Finally – take a look at the profiles of WashU’s two Rhodes Scholars this year.
@Parche thank you so much for your input. I did end up deciding on washu. I think my elitist comment was poorly worded - in no way do I think the students there have an elitist mindset, rather it was the large emphasis on quality of dorms, food, and campus as well as its (largely past) reputation for lack of socioeconomic diversity that initially gave me that impression. Upon speaking to current students and hearing from alumni/parents like you, I have realized the incredibly supportive and intellectual student atmosphere at washu and I am beyond excited to start my freshman year in st. louis! Thanks again!
My son was admitted to both and he chose WUSTL. You yourself pointed out the good points of WashU. I , as a parent, like the weather, food, small size of the campus. When I visited Michigan, it was cold, large student population and the food at dining hall I din’t like. My son graduated and I found the college was nurturing.
One thing I must say that UMich is more recognized on the streets of NYC because the have a large student body. I also think UMich has better career center. I am guessing that because it seemed to me Wash U career center is lacking.
@cryingchemist – Congratulations on what I am sure was a tough decision – two super choices! Our student is on a different track then many so has not had much interaction with the Career Center. However, their friends seem to do be doing well – with many doing some awesome internships this summer (before Junior year). People we know have graduated and gone to work for outstanding organizations so whatever Wash U does seems to be working! As a parent, we receive frequent communications on programs and activities run by the Career Center and University to help Students prepare for the job search and graduate school admissions processes. Student’s advisors are all over them as well. In fact, our student is meeting with their advisor in two weeks.
Best of luck to you in St. Louis – a great city and a super University! Go Bears!
Just to ease your mind a bit, let me assure you whatever you were were worried about Wahington U students being (more elitist, pompous, wealthy, arrogant,snobby, whatever), the Michigan students are a match for them. I’ve lived in the area for decades, and nobody ever accuses the Wolverine students or alumni of being humble, down-to-earth, aw-shucks, regular ol’ folks.
@moooop. I call that being driven. I think both schools have students and alumni that are driven. I really don’t know personally any Alumni from either school that are not successful in their own right. I think it’s the culture of both schools to succeed.