<p>In a quandry and time is ticking!
If you had a choice Wash U v. Northwestern engineering: 1) which is more prestigious; 2) which one will you have a life; 3) if transfer out to a different college at the same University, better to transfer to Olin business at Wash U or some Kellogg undergrad courses at NU; 4) which is the better overall school to attend; and lastly 5) is the marching band fun at NU?</p>
<p>I can't speak too much about Northwestern engineering, but I did a bs/ms at Wash U in comp sci. From the few people I know who went to Northwestern, I would say people at Wash U have a much more enjoyable experience. I can't really say which one is more prestigious (partly depends on the type of engineering, probably), but at Wash U you will definitely have a life. People at Wash U take the work hard play hard motto seriously. </p>
<p>One of the greatest advantages of Wash U is you are able to explore a lot of different interests, for example if you are interested in engineering and business, why not do both? Regardless, the business school is well ranked. </p>
<p>Obviously I'm biased, but I'd say Wash U is the better (more fun) school to attend overall.</p>
<p>If you transfer into Northwestern you get screwed on financial aid. Just in case that's a factor.</p>
<p>if we are talking about overall prestige, NU hands down. US News has NU tied w. Brown and Dartmouth for peer assess score. Wash U is way below that figure. Northwestern is highly regarded across the country. Wash U still doesn't have the name to go along with its selective school. I think in terms of experience, Wash U is one of the finest out there. And you are right, you probably will have a less stressful time at Wash U. The quarter system at NU is very difficult.</p>
<p>NU has a 4.4, WashU a 4.1, so I fail to see how that is considered "way below." Among others that have a 4.1 are Rice and Georgetown, though I don't think many here would say the NU is much better (if any) than those two schools, prestige wise (emphasis on Georgetown). </p>
<p>Anyways, between such schools, I don't think you should put much emphasis on prestige. Harvard and Northwestern? Sure. But WUSTL and NU? Not gonna make a difference in the end and you should go where you'll be happiest.</p>
<p>Brand, with all due respect, what is your experience in the academic world? I graduated from Northwestern and I have a J.D. from Duke. I feel like my background allows me to make some assessments on overall levels of prestige of universities. I do not care what Wash U does to inflate its rankings, it does not enjoy the national reputation that Northwestern does. It just hasn't reached that point yet. Perhaps, you think US news tells the entire story. However, going by the recruitment calendars of Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, and JP Morgan, Northwestern is a prime recruitment location whereas Wash U makes the "resume drop off list." It is a great school, but yes, the prestige difference is noticeable.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your informational responses.</p>
<p>You are making the argument that NU is much more prestigious than WashU. I am merely stating that the difference in PA (.3) is barely significant, if that is the measure by which you are going to compare them. You'll not to use something other than PA.</p>
<p>Your example regarding recruitement (for business) is inconclusive as it compares the business programs at each school: obviously NU will blow WashU Olin away. However, the story would be different if we examined the medical program, social works program, etc. Anyways, I don't attend any of the mentioned schools (yet) so I don't have any motives in this other than analyzing the evidence.</p>
<p>I would agree that WashU is lagging in the prestige dept. but you must also remember that it has only recently made itself a place among top universities. Like Duke (which was once not so hot either), WashU should be able to continue to improve its quality as it is now, attract top students, and increase its prestige among the people.</p>
<p>Duke was never a not hot school. For the last 20-30 years, it has enjoyed a stellar reputation.</p>
<p>why is it that we have to battle over who's school is more well known? this is absolutely childish and the one thing I absolutely hate about CC.</p>
<p>Rubin, please see past all of this and decide based upon where you feel is a better fit and what program suits you best. I will tell you this however: Northwestern's engineering program is much more structured from when I visited and it it is a much more well-regarded program overall for engineering.
Oh and you'll have a life at both, honestly. Northwestern is harder to switch between and take classes in other schools though...washu is SUPER flexible in that. </p>
<p>Hopefully i gave you a semi-objective response without the nonsense of prestige all mingled in it. Please, oh god, don't go somewhere because of its name.</p>
<p>(P.S...I'm deciding right now between WashU and NU too...but for pre med and other such things. I'm actually at WashU right now visiting and love it, but still have no clue which I'll pick. Good luck in your decision, maybe we'll be at school together next year!)</p>
<p>Regarding reputation of engineering, Northwestern has 7 departments ranked in the top-20 while WashU has one (BME).</p>
<p>
[quote]
why is it that we have to battle over who's school is more well known? this is absolutely childish and the one thing I absolutely hate about CC.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree. I just hate seeing someone bash WashU and bringing up relative prestige as if the difference is so significant that it should sway someone's decision.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your input.</p>
<p>"why is it that we have to battle over who's school is more well known? this is absolutely childish and the one thing I absolutely hate about CC."</p>
<p>Amen. Prestigue doesn't matter guys, no one in the real world gives a crap about where you do your undergrad, but where it gets you in life. Choosing school B over school A just because it is slightly more prestigious or well known only helps you feel good about your self in front of your highschool classmates, nothing after that.</p>
<p>Have to agree with the previous post. As a dad of college-bound S choosing between wustl and nu.....prestige level at this level is meaningless in the real world for a student. Go get the best education that you can afford in a place that you feel you're going to love for 4 years. In the years after you graduate, no one is going to say....but, remember, this place was .3 higher in the USNWR rankings.</p>
<p>Prestige - lets see - WashU #11 - NU #12 - About as equal as you get. For undergrad go for the program where you feel most comfortable. Four years can be a great college experience or it can just be a long time. The best way to find out is visit - spend time on campus - overnight in a dorm - talk to students & profs and get a feel for the school. It either feels like "home" or it does not. Both are great schools, so you can't go wrong with either one. Go with your heart.</p>