Wash U vs. Yale

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

So I recently heard back from Wash U hearing that I received a full-tuition scholarship. As of right now I have no award from Yale, while I am appealing, and am going through the tough decision of deciding between the two.

I’ll give some background

I fell in love with Yale on my visit in October and after my visit and, ever since, have dreamed of going there. However, ever since I came back from Wash U’s scholarship weekend I really fell in love with the overall environment there. My scholarship was like a family and it made me feel at home right away. However, different Yale students have consistently reached out to me and answered any and all questions I had, knowing that even before coming to campus, I had students that cared.

I love the environment of both the current students and the incoming freshmen at both schools, I love the support in my major at both places (Cog Sci at Yale, PNP at Wash U), I love that they both would offer me a large sense of community, and (to be superficial) they have great food and great facilities.

I love both schools, and, worst case scenario, would have to take out many small scholarships, and a small loan for Yale, but I could afford to go. Wash U, however, I wouldn’t have to worry about money at all, would definitely be less financially constrained at all times, while going to a school that I loved. However, I think I would have bigger qualms about dropping Yale for Wash U, than I would about dropping Wash U for Yale. But being financially (almost) free for 4 years is pretty hard to overlook.

I know it’s my decision and I know that I am the only person that can make the decision, however, some advice would be greatly appreciated!

2

WashU is a top-tier school, on par with the ivy league. However, it’s Yale. I too would be hesitant to drop Yale for WashU, if I could afford either school. With Yale, you get not only the best education, but also the amazing reputation for the school and all the connections that come with it. WashU also has both of these qualities, but the reputation unfortunately is its weakest part. If you really have no problems with money, then I think you can’t go wrong with Yale.

3

I agree with choosing yale if money isnt a big factor.

4

@m4xw3ll I’m in the exact same situation (wondering if we met at the scholarship weekend). I decided on Yale over washU because of the reasons above

5

I suggest that you consider WashU. A full tuition scholarship to a top 20 university is a HUGE GIFT. You can always attend Yale for Grad school if you really wanted to. I’m surprised there is even a question about this. There isn’t that much difference between Yale/WashU except for the culture, location, etc. They are both tippy top universities. However, I will say that fit is very important. If you are happy at WashU, then you’ll love it. :slight_smile:

Good luck!

6

BOTH schools have impeccable reputations, however it’s important to look beyond undergrad: you are going to still need a graduate school degree and taking on undergrad loans (basically a home mortgage) plus grad school loans (which are increasingly more difficult to get paid for now) to just have an IVY name is not a great financial decision when you have a full tuition scholarship in your hand from a top 15 school.
I think you are greatly underestimating the reputation of what a WashUSTL degree is worth… In addition, you will be a number at Yale, while you would get additional mentoring and support that comes along with the full scholarship at WashU (being a name vs a number is a huge advantage when it comes to internships, recommendations from professors, etc)…
Best of luck in your decision and congrats on having such phenomenal choices as they are representative of the hard work you’ve already put into high school!

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Well, I don’t at all agree you will “be a number” at Yale. It isn’t that big, and that is just absurd.

Having said that, I am completely unclear on how you “take out” many small scholarships. Usually you have to win scholarships, even small ones, and most of those deadlines have passed. And then you say there would still be loans. It just isn’t worth the nameplate of Yale, especially since you will almost no doubt either go on to med school or grad school. In either case where you went undergrad becomes far less meaningful in terms of professional reputation. It is almost all ego at being able to say “I am at/went to Yale” and the immediacy of that recognition versus the certainly lesser effect of WUSTL. But so what if you can say “I went to med school at Johns Hopkins” or “I got my grad degree at Yale”. And that is a lot more personally satisfying when you are debt free after undergrad. Tell people that and they will be far more envious.

8

oops - I meant to do a search and wrote a comment instead.

I hope someday my daughter will be faced with that same choice!! What did you end up choosing?

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@LoveTheBard Yale

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Congrats! I wish I had this problem! I would go to Yale because of its outstanding students/faculty, resources, and reputation/network.