<p>I'm struggling making a decision between Wash U and the University of Virginia. I'm thinking of majoring in biology and Spanish, on the pre-med track. It's been a year since I visited UVA (it's a bit of a distance) so unfortunately, I'll be making the decision without getting much of a feel of the campus. In addition, I don't know anyone at either school. Any suggestions???</p>
<p>As of the fall I will have one S at each school. Love them both. Send me a private message if you want to chat about it in more depth. You can do well in pre-med at either place.</p>
<p>How are they the same?
- I think both are good "teaching colleges." To clarify, a research university is often not a good place for instruction of undergrads. The reputations you usually hear about are often based on the former, when what you are buying is the latter. I think both places try to balance the two. So they have better research than a LAC, but a better undergraduate experience than many hard core research institutions.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Both have students who are intensely enthusiastic about their school.</p></li>
<li><p>Both have very beautiful, contiguous campuses, and clustered dorm areas.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>How are they different?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>UVA is about twice the size.</p></li>
<li><p>Both have excellent med schools, but UVA's is right on campus, whereas WU's is on the other side of the park. Still, that is much closer together than many other schools. </p></li>
<li><p>WU is more diverse than UVA in several ways. (UVA is more diverse than many believe. UVA tied for first in the percentage of African-American freshmen enrolled - <a href="http://www.jbhe.com/features/57_freshmen.html)%5B/url%5D">http://www.jbhe.com/features/57_freshmen.html)</a>. Even so, it is 70% in state and even within that group northern Virginia is the largest group. </p></li>
<li><p>Charlottesville is a wonderful college town, and there is more to do near campus than WU, but it is not near a major city (2 hrs to DC). WU has a train to the airport and to downtown.</p></li>
<li><p>WU has Forest Park and the museums and the zoo.</p></li>
<li><p>UVA has the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, which pervades everything they do. There are many traditions still in place today that were started by Jefferson or while Jefferson was there. Even the cynical become reverent when they stand in front of the Rotunda. WU is a special place, but lacks that focusing sense of mission and history. </p></li>
<li><p>It is a little tricky changing schools at UVA, but very easy at WU.</p></li>
<li><p>Div I vs Div III athletics. Very different experience.</p></li>
<li><p>Even OOS, UVA is a lot cheaper than WU.</p></li>
</ul>