<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>I am really, really interested in Wash U right now, and I have already turned in my app for regular decision. I want to major in engineering, specifically chemical. I know it's not the best at Wash U, but I might reconsider if I take everything else into account since undergraduate rankings are not too important. However, chem E does rank in the top 20 at Wash U (17). So, I wanted to know what is Wash U engineering like? How are the classes - tough, easy? And what about the engineering students - do they collaborate and work together? Basically, I just want to know the life of an engineering student at Wash U.</p>
<p>Is it worth it to study engineering at Washu than somewhere else? I am currently looking into Cornell and Georgia Tech. I have already been accepted into A&M & UT. Would it be wise to choose Wash U engineering, especially chemical, over these really good engineering schools? I would really like to know since I love the campus, the city, and the whole shebang.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>Engineering classes are hard but students are very collaborative.</p>
<p>Your questions are mostly very broad and subjective, and so really unanswerable. I think it is safe to say that engineering classes are considered hard everywhere, at least for most people. A few people find math and engineering comes naturally and so find it easier, but they are fairly rare exceptions.</p>
<p>You will probably have more diverse opportunities for research at a place like Georgia Tech, but there are still plenty at WUSTL. At the undergrad level, the quality of education you will get at any of these schools will be very high. It really makes far more difference where you go to grad school (if you do), where schools like MIT, Cal Tech, etc. really stand out. Because in grad school the research is far more central, while for undergrad it is mostly in the classroom.</p>
<p>If WUSTL appeals to you in all those ways, then go for it. It is important to attend undergrad at a school that fits you on multiple levels, including non-academic. After all, what if you decide engineering isn’t for you after all? You don’t want to be in a location you don’t enjoy and went to only because you thought its engineering program was slightly better than another, and at the undergrad level it will only be slightly, if at all.</p>
<p>Of course, you have to get accepted first to make any of this relevant. Good luck!</p>
<p>A question for you came to mind. Assuming you get accepted to WUSTL, are finances an issue? Related to that, are you a Texas resident? I thought you might be since you are already into both A&M and UT-Austin (I am sure you meant Austin when you say UT). Because if you would have to take out big loans to attend WUSTL while going to either of your state schools would be affordable, it seems to me that taking the more cost effective option would rule here. But if finances are not an issue, then this is moot.</p>
<p>I am a Texas resident actually. And yes, A&M UT Austin are much much cheaper and affordable. I am not sure yet if finances for WUSTL will be a hindrance. I will have to see how much aid/loans they offer in conjunction with FAFSA/ scholarships. If it comes down to less than or equal to half tuition, then I will consider WUSTL. My parents might be able to pay 3/4 tuition, but I don’t want to put them under so much financial burden.</p>
<p>I will most definitely go with the cost effective option.</p>
<p>I think that is really wise. For most students, college is pretty great wherever you end up. Not being strained financially just makes it even better. If you can come out of undergrad without loans, that is huge.</p>
<p>Personally, I prefer Austin to College Station, but A&M is certainly a strong engineering school. Not that UT-A isn’t.</p>
<p>I am really considering WASHU engineering because, like you said, it’s very collaborative (although I am not sure of internship opportunities in St. Louis). I feel that all these top engineering schools like UT, A&M, GT, and the like are very cutthroat. But that may just be me. I just want to have a great undergrad experience with a good engineering education that will prepare me well, or enough for a masters at places like MIT and the like.</p>
<p>I mean WASHU for me has almost everything(although again not sure about engineering that much; hence the reason for this question) I am looking for in an undergrad experience. My parents don’t really think so-they are too much into rankings and see WASHU as a worthless place for engineering but perhaps great for medical. I have been trying to reason with them that rankings are not everything and that a lot is taken into account like how much the professors publish (I feel the eng. professors at WASHU will really TEACH and not leave you to suffer; and I feel they will grade well too).</p>
<p>Sigh, anyway, we shall see.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying though, I really appreciate it! If anyone else wants to provide some more info, it would be great!</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the other schools, but I can say that everything you said you’re looking for in a school perfectly fits washu - collaborative, teachers who like to connect with students, etc.</p>
<p>Also, the internship opps for students in St Louis are fantastic, as well as decent recruiting out of state as well.</p>