<p>Son is tied between these top 3 choices. Looking to major in Computer Engineering but also interested in other fields such as business/entrepreneurship.</p>
<p>I would think he will do better in a smaller environment, no relatives in the U.S., grown up abroad in major cities, will have to take international flights.</p>
<p>He is into tech, but a well rounded laid back kid. Likes to hang with a varied interest group. Not heavily into sports/parties. Enjoys movies and eating out with friends.</p>
<p>All the 3 choices have their pros and cons but I am posting this thread here as I find WashU students are extremely good at replying ;) So also USC, so will post it there as well!</p>
<p>D1 is at USC; D2 is at WashU so I can only speak to those two. </p>
<p>If you think your S would do better in a smaller environment, is not heavily into sports/parties, then by far, WashU should be his choice. USC of course is D1; WashU D3 for sports. WashU’s teams seem to do very well in their division.</p>
<p>Moreover, WashU is big enough that he will find a varied interest group but not so big that he gets swallowed up. WashU is far more nurturing, organized, supportive, and easy to navigate (administratively anyway). D2 switched majors the first day of freshman year - whole process was completed in 3 days (took longer because of an intervening holiday); whenever D1 needs to petition, or change something, she is shuttled from department to department - no one seems to know who is in charge of what. Those sorts of things are very frustrating for her (in hindsight, she would have thrived in a smaller environment!) USC is definitely frat/party oriented although a student can certainly find students not so into that - just takes some searching. </p>
<p>With regard to parents, WashU wins hands down - in fact I have been VERY surprised given the presence of USC here in So Cal (which is where we live) that I (as a parent) have not felt a part of the school. WashU on the other hand is very attentive to the parents and despite being half way across the country, I feel confident that D2 is being taken care of, and I could easily seek input/advice/information/help from the school if needed. Parents are also solicited to be part of the admissions “team” in the sense we can volunteer to be on a list that admitted students can call for info, can help with local college fairs, etc. </p>
<p>So - the 2 environments are VERY different for students as well as parents - one is not necessarily better than the other - and maybe USC’s “method” fosters more independence! That being said, D2 who I always considered a home body/not exactly a self-starter, has blossomed at WashU.</p>
<p>The airport in St. Louis is about 15 minutes from the school; metro and taxis are easy; LAX is also about 20 minutes from USC - transportation readily available.</p>
<p>I think both schools have very good engineering/business programs - USC may actually be a little stronger in the CE (but I am not 100% certain of this and could stand corrected).</p>
<p>Thanks ^^, yup I see what you are saying. WashU environment is exactly what we thought would son the most. USC location would provide him access to the bay area connections since he is so much into software design already. I wish there was a tiebreaker here.</p>
<p>Last night we went to an Alumni meeting here in our city and there were more alumni there than accepted students!! They were all eager to help and answer questions. It felt very nice.</p>
<p>I had this feeling when we attended the USC tour that it was kind of big for son, that he could fall through the cracks…but I wasn’t sure, perhaps I was just paranoid, I don’t know. It was a sensory overload (in a good way).</p>
<p>Well, maybe because I hate LA, I don’t like USC campus. Its location is not good. Right besides a highway, nearest park is several blocks away (unless you take tiny rose garden & Jesse Brewer Jr.Park into account), and too crowded (I mean, look at all those houses around it).</p>
<p>But both has great academia. That’s for sure.</p>
<p>We have always lived in cities so location is not an issue with USC. The campus is large enough to provide openness. Its a tough choice! WashU is serene and traditional, with a huge park right there.</p>
<p>Hoping for more replies…especially about CE at WashU</p>
<p>Go to the Bear Buddies group on facebook. There are current student contacts for each major at wash u. You’ll be matched up with students in each program to whom you can ask questions. If he is thinking about a double major or pursuing both CE and business/entrepreneurship in college, there is no better place than wash u to combine different fields. The entrepreneurship major, center, and student owned business system are amazing.</p>
<p>Yes he is thinking about combining CS with Entrepreneurship or business. Will tell him about bear buddies on Fb, thanks.</p>