<p>Since I'm going to Wash U this fall, I've had to answer the "where are you going to college" question countless times and often to blank faces.</p>
<p>Obviously, It's a little annoying to have worked so hard to get into a school that many people haven't heard of. However, we shouldn't really care. First off, the people who matter know how great of a school Wash U is. The people that act like they know about college and either think that Wash U is in Washington or just plain have no idea what you are talking about are out of touch with modern American education. No worries! Just be happy that you are going to an incredible school, it will only become more well-known!</p>
<p>the fact that you or your circle of fiends have not heard of it does not mean its "reputation in the northeast isn't that great". Reputation and awareness are two different things. Reputation is measured by what people think of something once they have knowledge. People who haven't heard of it don't even factor into the equation. Many "ordinary" folks haven't heard of Amherst or Williams but few would dispute that their reputation is excellent. Similarly, among people who have knowledge, WU's reputation is outstanding.</p>
<p>^^
Why does is matter? I doubt very seriously that an employer will have two candidates from WashU and Northwestern, and pick the Northwestern grad over the WashU grad b/c it's more "prestigious".
What matters so much more than "prestige" is what you do with you education. Once you get in the top 20 schools, individual prestige/rank doesn't matter, because prestige is relative. I personally think WashU is a better school than NU b/c it has good academics and an active social scene, so it's students get more adapted to interacting with people as opposed to sitting in their dorms. That's my personal opinion. Someone else's personal bias shouldnt be the determining factor in your life.</p>
<p>It should not matter what you think WashU's reputation is in making your college choice. Like everyone else said, choose the college where you can study what you have interest in, be happy and where you feel it is a good fit. Everyone will have an opinion on what is the "better" school. As someone stated earlier, your choice of major will definitely influence which schools make your final list. My daughter's final list included both Tufts and WashU because of the major she was interested in. She ultimately chose WashU because she loved the school and could see herself there. She is graduating in just a couple of weeks and had an incredible four years there.</p>
<p>what?? washu is less prestigious than nw? washu has a lower acceptance rate, is smaller, and is ranked higher than nw. i don't know, i was accepted to washu, northwestern, and cornell, and i'm choosing washu because i like it the best and i see it on the same "prestige-level," if not higher, than the other 2.</p>
<p>My son graduates this year, too, and I'm going to have a hard time not being connected in some way to wash u. Out of the four universities my three children have been to, this is the one that will be the hardest to leave.</p>
<p>When my son graduated from Wash U in 2002 I'm not sure who felt worse, him or me. Talk about separation anxiety! But I'm happy to say that I have a sophomore there now and that has eased the pain. I still have 2 years before I feel it again.</p>
<p>So I'm not the only mom who will miss WashU too! I loved my yearly visits with my daughter around her birthday. We had so much fun with all there is to do within walking distance of the campus. Yes, it is very bittersweet when they graduate.</p>
<p>
[quote]
...and Northwestern has poor academics and an inactive social scene?
[/quote]
no, it has good academics and a poor social scene. In my opinion. Yours may be different. Which is why an abstract thing such as prestige shouldn't factor in someone's decision.</p>
<p>
[quote]
what?? washu is less prestigious than nw? washu has a lower acceptance rate, is smaller, and is ranked higher than nw.
[/quote]
How does size come into play in the prestige game?
Is Swarthmore less prestigious than Ohio State because it is smaller? Or would a small no-name college be more prestigious than someplace like USC because it's big? I dont see how size is an issue in prestige...?</p>
<p>I agree with those who will miss Wash U and St Louis. D graduated last year, has settled in San Francisco. I am TRULY sad that I will have no more reasons to visit "The Lou"!</p>
<p>so currently your children are around 160-180k in debt? As you may have perceived, my main predicament is the financial aspect. How did you guys sort this out?</p>
<p>They provided me with a large amount of financial aid, even though my family is by no means impoverished. I will only be paying ~13k/year, starting next year. If you need more money than they initially provide, you can contact Bill</a> Witbrodt and he will work with you to make it less of a financial burden to attend WashU.</p>