<p>Having a hard time deciding between WASH U (Annika Rodriguez scholarship) vs USC (Preidential scholarship). Looking at pre med and spanish, also very interested in music on the side. Wondering about class sizes, advising, social life, medical school acceptance rates, and anything else that could help make the choice. WASH U's reputation for hard pre med program is somewhat daunting. Weather is also important. Are there quiet places to study on the south 40 or do you have to walk in the cold of winter to the library to work? Music practice rooms in any dorms? Thanks for any helpful advice!!!</p>
<p>Have a D at USC (Junior) and a D a WUSTL (Freshman), both pre-med. You will work hard at pre-med in either school. D at WUSTL finds plenty of places to study other than room and library. Class sizes, advising, dorms, food, weather, social life/party/Greek scenes, location, etc. are all dramatically diff’t. </p>
<p>As a parent, the sense of belongingness I get from each also is quite different - WUSTL really goes out of their way for students & parents; I don’t get the same attention from USC (but could partly be my fault and partly my D’s fault - she went to USC cuz admitted to Bac/MD program but probably would not have attended otherwise (much bigger/more Greek than she would have really liked) (so she isn’t totally comfortable/happy there). </p>
<p>Every administrative issue is a nightmare at USC - have to trudge to 5 or 6 offices before you find someone who will admit to being able to help. In contrast, my younger D wanted to change her major after 1st day of classes (from Eng’g to A&S) and she was able to complete the process in a couple days (had to wait over a long weekend for one signature). Voila, it was done.</p>
<p>Older D went with us to WUSTL orientation to drop off younger sister - her comment was: “Boy, I wish I’d known about this school when I was applying…”</p>
<p>Both are great schools academically and the USC network in So Cal. is STRONG. It’s really going to depend on what you are looking for/comfortable with.</p>
<p>Hi Palmalk,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the info! The administrative hassles at USC sound very unpleasant. The big draw towards USC for my son are the weather (which does seem glorious, but I think the springs seem to be pretty rainy and cool), the great opportunities for a percussion player to get involved in music, and the school spirit. But he has heard that it can be hard to have a social life if not a member of a fraternity. We have heard so much about how hard pre med is at WASH U, but you point out a very imprtant fact. Pre med is hard everywhere, and it seems the best way to be prepared for the MCAT and med school is to go to a college that teaches the pre med prerequsuites well. …Any other details you might want to point out that contrast between the 2 schools would be much appreciated. Anything more about class sizes, social life, the Greek influence, safety, dorms, etc. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I’m biased, but…Wash U all the way! </p>
<p>But that’s not very helpful, so I’ll answer those questions. I haven’t had a problem finding a quite place to study on the 40. If it’s snowing I like to walk around, but if it’s wet and cold I’m not leaving my dorm. Not a problem. I know some dorms have music practice rooms…I’m in an old dorm, so I’m not totally sure, but I would guess that old dorms for the most part do not. But dorms are mostly new, and you could use another dorm’s if you wanted to.</p>
<p>PS I think pre-med at Wash U is awesome…so yeah.</p>
<p>Thank you, scwymer! </p>
<p>From all I’ve heard, premed at WASH U is totally awesome, but the prereq classes can be hard. But those prereq classes should be hard, no matter where you take them–I guess nobody expects organic chemistry to be a walk in the park!</p>
<p>How often does it get cold and rainy? We love the sun! Do you feel there are enough sunny days and pretty snow days to make up for the occasional cold and rainy days? 
Does your dorm room feel warm and cozy, even when it is nasty outside? What about walking to classes in the cold–do people just dart straight to classes and then hibernate back in their rooms–I guess I am asking if it feels lonely and depressing in gloomy weather, or is there enough going on and a cheerful, cozy atmosphere enough to make up for the occasional lousy weather day?</p>