<p>I am deciding between wash u and unc. I got 10k a year in "scholarship" (aid) to washu and a work study offer. I would do bme at wash u, but be some sort of life science major at unc. Does anyone have any advice, things to consider, or thoughts to offer (i.e. pro's con's).</p>
<p>WashU will probably be much more “close and personal” experience. If the tuition is comparable, I’d go with Wash U. (if not, only you can decide…)</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations on being accepted to Wash U! </p>
<p>I think it’s always good to apply to your State school, but I don’t think it often comes down to Wash U (or any top 15 school) versus a state school in the final decision-making process — excluding any financial assistance considerations, or depending on the extent of those considerations — simply because they are so different. By the time the final decision-making process comes, I think most people have settled on the main criteria of what characteristics they’re looking for in a college. </p>
<p>Wash U vs. UNC
6,000 vs. 18,000 undergrads
suburban/city versus college town/kind-of-near-a-city
all of your peers are brilliant and top-of-class in high school vs. more “academic diversity” (which can be a good thing, I don’t want that to come across as a bad thing)
Amazing athletic teams and reasonably well-attended games vs. Amazing athletic teams and everyone goes to the games
Midwest vs. South</p>
<h1>10 for BME , #7 for Biology, and #3 for med school vs. not in top 20 for BME, #26 for biology, and #20 for med school</h1>
<p>Also, consider how much you’d like to explore other academic areas / double major… that is incredibly easy at Wash U, even between Art Sci and Engineering and Business schools, etc. </p>
<p>I think you’ll also need to consider the majors — you were accepted into BME at Wash U, but life sciences at UNC. Not only do you have to weight the considerations I listed above, but you also have to weigh the academic programs into which you were accepted! At Wash U, you can switch out of BME and Engineering at any time… even during the summer before you even start freshman year. It’s very easy to switch divisions. So, that’s more or less of a “wash” at WUSTL because of the ease of switching if you determine that you’d actually prefer to just do Biology or another life science at WUSTL after spending some time in BME. I don’t know if you can switch at UNC?? </p>
<p>Also, one interesting thing, is that the new Dean of Wash U’s engineering school was the former chair of Wash U’s biology department. Before he came to Wash U to do biology, he was the chair of UNC’s biology program! <a href=“http://engineering.wustl.edu/newsstory.aspx?news=6412[/url]”>http://engineering.wustl.edu/newsstory.aspx?news=6412</a></p>
<p>Wash U has the nicest dorms and best food I’ve ever tasted at a college - I’ve never visited UNC so I don’t know how it is there. But, at other state schools I’ve visited, I have not been impressed. Which makes sense… state schools get tax-payer funding so you’re not going to find these palatial dorms and sushi chefs and herb-encrusted tilapia, whereas a private school may have amenities like this. </p>
<p>Wash U will have the more personal/individualized feel just as a function of the size. People here are so friendly and supportive, not at all competitive as other top-tier private schools from anecdotal evidence. And, I’m sure you’ll also find nice/friendly/supportive at UNC, but it won’t have the same “community” feel as Wash U simply because of the size. Many people want a big state school because of the sheer anonymity it gives them. At Wash U, you have that anonymity some degree because it isn’t the smallest school in the world, but it is small enough to have the feeling that you’re getting individualized attention and you’re almost part of a “family” (at least, that’s how I and my friends feel). </p>
<p>This is providing that financial aid or overall cost isn’t the #1 factor… or, at least, your family is willing to pay some sort of differential to attend Wash U. If UNC is giving you full tuition and Wash U is giving you nothing… then, well, it’s an impossible proposition to say that Wash U (or Yale or any school, really) is worth that extra cost no matter what your preference set is with the criteria above. Ultimately, how well you do in college is completely up to you in terms of how you take advantage of the resources available to you, and you’ll get a great education and resources at both places.</p>
<p>WOW! Thank you vbball for that answer. It’s people like you that make collegeconfidential such a great resource. I would be OOS at UNC, but the cost of Wash U would still be about 7~8k more a year, but my parents are willing to pay for either. </p>
<p>Well if I went to UNC, I would more than likely be a chem, pathology, major or something of the sort. UNC’s program is not accredited, which makes me worry, but it sounds like it is better than I think. </p>
<p>My worries about Wash U are as follows:
-Stressful academic environment described in college literature
-Lack of expansive social scene on weekends
-Getting lost in the competition with other students who are brilliant (not to be presumptuous, but I could hit the ball out of the park academically at UNC (4.0)) which is something to considering i am looking at med-school</p>
<p>All of the reasons you listed were valid and things that I have considered. Believe me, I know there are a lot of good things about Wash U. A lot.</p>
<p>Also, I will be taking second looks at both in the coming weeks. I will probably stay the night with a student at each school and survey some classes. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio btw, so the weather would be the same in St. Louis, which is not a good thing, haha.</p>
<p>I don’t think the academic environment is that stressful. People will help you, which isn’t something to be shrugged off considering the rank of WashU. You will have to work rather hard, however.</p>
<p>The social scene will definitely not be on par with a public school, but it isn’t dead either.</p>
<p>To the OP</p>
<p>Since you are looking into premed, I advise you to read the “WashU Premeds Questions and Answers” thread at the WUSTL 2014 subforum.</p>
<p>
I think premed will be stressful anywhere. WashU premed is known to be difficult, but most of the time it’s a matter of how hard you work/how long you study. The rest of the time you will need to “think outside the box.” However I believe that the study skills and bulk and rigor of material you learn will help you on your MCATs.</p>
<p>vbball’s description of the lifestyle and environment at WashU fits with my experience at WashU as well. Generally students are happy and supportive of each other (ie. the premeds). However, like vbball advised, you should also consider whether cost is a factor.</p>
<p>Can anyone speak as to what the social scene is like?</p>
<p>We have parties every weekend. You just have to know where they are. =)</p>