I already committed to Wake Forest and have been talking to a lot of people and have gotten pretty excited to go there. However, I was just taken off the WashU waitlist (before May 1). I am interested in studying science (probably biochemistry) so academically, I know that WashU is a better fit. However, I’ve always never really like WashU. When I visited I didn’t really connect with the people that were there, and the people that I know who go there aren’t really the type of people that I surround myself with. Also, there are already almost 10 people from my highschool who are going to WashU. I’m a high performing student (top 10% of my class, 35 ACT, 9 APs, independent scientific research) so I was initially a little disappointed with Wake being my best option, but I have become pretty excited to go. I kind of liked the idea of coming into a school knowing that I should be in the top of the class without having to kill myself with work to get there.
In short, I like the environment of Wake much more than that of WashU, but feel that the difference in academics is too large not to consider. I’m also waiting to hear back from my Cornell waitlist, and have no idea how that decision would factor in either. Any advice is super appreciated!
Side note: my family would be ok with forfeiting my Wake deposit, and financial aid is not a consideration for either school
You answered your own question. Wake is a great college and is a better fit for you.
I agree w/ @socaldad2002! you know where you want to be- trust yourself.
And no, science / biochem is not in a different league at WUSTL compared to WF! you won’t lose anything academically by going with the one that you like better- and that recognized the fit from the get-go.
Biochem is strong at WFU.
As a top 10% student with an ACT score of 35, I am curious as to which schools rejected or waitlisted you. I ask for a reason before offering my suggestion.
Wake is great for biology and chemistry, and it offers smaller classes than virtually any other top university and even some of the elite liberal arts colleges. It’s a terrific choice for undergrad, and you shouldn’t have any regrets picking it over Wash U.
@Publisher I was rejected from Duke, UChicago, Vanderbilt, Emory, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, and Tufts. Originally waitlisted at WashU and Cornell, but now just waiting on Cornell
Do not assume that you will be at the top of the class at WFU (Work Forest University):
OP wrote:
“I kind of liked the idea of coming into a school knowing that I should be in the top of the class without having to kill myself with work to get there.”
While you achieved a great ACT score & earned a top 10% class rank in high school, WFU is a serious school academically.
(Your list of schools in post #5 above should encourage you to work hard & excel at WFU.)
WashUStL is also great for bio-chem, but if the chemistry is not right for you then you should consider other schools.
I’m a parent of a WFU student who was a top performer in HS much like yourself. He is a junior. He’s doing well and loves it. However, I can assure you there will be many many MANY top achievers right next to you at Wake. S would put himself smack in the middle.
And get ready to work. "A"s are not handed out like they are at some places. A 3.5 at Wake is actually quite good and you will work hard to get that. Yes there are kids that get 3.8 - 4.0 but S would tell you they are off the chart brilliant.
Don’t know enough about the culture at WashU but Wake is full of active, smart kids who like to have some fun along the way. School spirit is BIG!
Good catch, @rickle1! The school is not nicknamed “Work Forest” for nothing. IMO, it is a bit of a dark horse, esp outside the SE.
OP- Anecdotal yes, but I’ll share a story (that I witnessed). The Spring ahead of freshmen yr, Wake had a local get together of incoming students hosted by local alumni (we’re in FL). Parents were invited and it was basically an opportunity to meet potential new classmates (not everyone was decided) and enhance yield. Casual mingling and then a presentation by the alumni.
One of the local alumni was particularly sharp. Turns out while at Wake he interned for the President of the university, than became a White House Fellow and ultimately became a Rhodes Scholar. He was chatting with my son (and me) and said, “The thing about Wake Forest is everyone is excellent at something, some many things, but everyone at least one thing.” That stuck with me.
After three years my son would confirm that statement. A lot of really bright kids, each with there own certain something or somethings. His roommate is a good example. He was his HS Val. Really good baseball player. But he shines as a musician. For his Val address, he wrote, played and sang a song for his class. He’s currently in a campus A cappella group that has cut several CDs.
Lots of smart kids with talent in and out of the classroom.
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WF is ranked #27 and Wash U is #19- not a huge difference. Wash U does have way higher avg SAT scores than almost every school, including WF. So what? You think that makes the kids smarter or more successful in college and life? studies say it doesn’t.
Wake has a great reputation and you like it more. This is a no-brainer.