<p>So, I got into all three of these schools... I'm interested in civil engineering and business. At WashU i'd probably double-major, while rice and vandy don't have undergrad business majors. So... convince me on which one is the best choice, can be based on pretty much anything (academics, sports, students, campus, dorms, food, city/surrounding area, etc.). I've already researched all three kind of a lot, so it's not like I know nothing about all of them... I just want to hear some other opinions to help make this tough decision.
Also, it'd be AWESOME if some current students or alumni of one of those schools could say something to the effect of what their favorite thing is about their school.
also, assume financial cost is the same at all three, i'd rather take that (important) variable out of the equation for the moment.</p>
<p>All three are great schools but I’m sure you know that. I have two sons at Vanderbilt, one of my older son’s good friend transfered fron Rice and his thoughts on Rice are that it is mostly comprised of students who spend all their time studying with very little social life (I have to say that my son’s friend along with both my sons also spend a lot of time studying but they also find time to enjoy themselves). Both my sons have friends who attend Wash U and I have to say they seem to love that school as much as my sons love Vandy. I will say that Vandy is in a nicer part of Nashville than Wash U is in St. Louis. Also, if you like college sports Vandy has (by far) the bigger sports programs. If you attend Vandy you may want to consider double majoring in Civil Eng. and Econ. (Econ. is a major in the School of Arts & Science). Best of Luck.</p>
<p>You should probably look at the numerous threads that compare wash u and Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Also, wash u is in the nicest part of st Louis. It’s right by the cultural hubs and it’s in the fanciest suburb (Clayton). This is a misconception that I see all the time.</p>
<p>^^^Wash U St. Louis is not in Clayton, it is not in any suburb. It is in the city of St. Louis, as is the entire, huge, Forest Park to the west of Wash U. Clayton is a prosperous business-oriented suburb, a separate municipality. Students who want to go off campus often go to the upscale Central West End, which is also in the city of St. Louis, or to the Loop, which is in University City, a separate municipality.</p>
<p>I have come across this misunderstanding of the location of Wash U several times recently on CC. It is probably due to the wish of many people that Wash U was not actually inside the city, but the fact is, it is. It is a nice part of St. Louis, not the only nice part, BTW. It is not dangerous, as some like to claim. </p>
<p>I am familiar with Wash U and Vanderbilt. I prefer the location of Vanderbilt, because I think there is more to do off campus, and the campus location is better for getting to things easily.</p>
<p>To each his/her own, however, on those matters. If you, jgorman, have visited both campuses, you are the best judge.</p>
<p>EDIT: a bit of trivia: the metropolitan area of St. Louis consists of 95 or so politically separate municipalities. What a mess. It is one of the reasons the city of St. Louis has a lot of problems.</p>
<p>dardyjoe, my apologies. I have been spending too much time on the medical school campus and the adjacent hospital associated with Wash U. The medical school and the hospitals are on the east end of Forest Park and clearly within the city limits. The Danforth campus, site of most undergraduate programs, however, is to the west of Forest Park and sits on the line between Clayton and the city. I have always thought it was technically within the city, but I may indeed be incorrect. I’m glad I’m better informed now, but I wish I’d looked into it more before it was too late to edit the earlier post.</p>
<p>The Delmar Loop and Clayton are not far from the Danforth campus; the Central West End is much closer to the medical campus. All of those areas are nice, and not dangerous.</p>