<p>I am planning to magor in Bio/Bio eng/Premed and didn't get any scholarship (previously this was my deciding factor). Is there any big difference between these schools apart from the tution fee?
Appreciate any input from current students/alumni/parents.</p>
<p>There is no bio engy program at WashU. There is an excellent biomedical engineering program though.</p>
<p>what about washu v rice in econ/business?</p>
<p>i know washu actually has a business school, but rice has houston like right there. plus they both cost about the same for me. any input would be appreciated. thanks!</p>
<p>In econ/business, washu is better. Olin is a stand-alone b-school. Also, WashU has recruited a large number of highly regarded econ profs in the last few years. The reputation among the academics is soaring as the result.</p>
<p>FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY GO TO RICE. i was deciding between washu and rice and i chose the former. i have never regretted anything more in my life.</p>
<p>^^^ i wonder...what's so bad about washU?</p>
<p>ivyracer- why do you say that? What do you not like about WU?</p>
<p>Really. Ivyracer, sorry you are not happy, but don't saddle other kids with your problem. If you have information, share it, but venting on them doesn't help them. I checked your posts, and you clearly chose WashU partly because they gave you money: more than Duke and apparently a lot more than Rice. That is a perfectly good reason, and if it hasn't worked out for you, please share what you would like to be different. But even as late as a year ago you told someone the OPPOSITE advice: "washuuuuuuuu it's awesome." So don't let your emotional swings dictate the advice you give kids who are trying to make an important decision.</p>
<p>Pianogirl, </p>
<p>I do not know too much about Rice, but since you are not getting much concrete advice, I will tell you what I know based on one visit to Rice and two to Wash U.</p>
<p>Both are near major cities, and both have rich cultural programs nearby. Both have nearby medical facilities, though Wash U has a top notch med school nearby and Rice does not. Both have mass transit close to campus.</p>
<p>The residential college program at Rice is a big deal. It is, in effect, your fraternity or sorority. Wash U's program seems a little less important.</p>
<p>The weather is very different. </p>
<p>Forest Park is amazing. Rice has nothing like that nearby.</p>
<p>The Wash U campus is, to my tastes, more beautiful and the student common areas much nicer. Rice seemed plain by comparison, though I did like some of the architecture.</p>
<p>Rice has Div I athletics, and are competitive in most sports outside of football. Wash U is very competitive in Div III, but that is a different animal.</p>
<p>In terms of prestige or preparing you for grad school, both are top notch. I wouldn't be too concerned with rankings.</p>
<p>Good luck. You can't really go wrong here.</p>
<p>Having had kids in both schools, I would say that HartinGA is pretty spot on. From our experience the kids at WashU are a bit less preppy and the school has a very laid back mid west feel. You can't go wrong with either one - both are great schools. The best way to decide is visit both schools and see which one seems like the best fit. For Rice, try Owl weekend - it is a great experience. My preference is WashU, but not by a lot. Good luck with your choice.</p>
<p>You can't go wrong with either school -- they are both excellent academically and socially. But I do have to correct a few statements about Rice made by HartinGA. While Rice does not have a med school it is located next to the Texas Medical Center that has 13 hospitals and 2 medical schools that offer a wealth of internship and research opportunities to Rice students. Also, within walking distance from Rice is Hermann Park, which is very much like Forest Park, complete with zoo, golf course, train, outdoor music venue, etc.</p>
<p>I also think the student population is very similar -- with a collaborative, laid-back vibe, down to earth vibe.</p>
<p>So the schools are much more similar than described. I think the biggest difference is the residential college set-up that Rice offers and the city they're each located in. You really can't go wrong with either school. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Texas Medical Center, might I add, is the world's largest medical complex. You will have unparalleled opportunities for research and internships.</p>
<p>Though at the same time, you could try to get some research experience with WashU's prestigious med school.</p>
<p>I was accepted to both schools and am visiting WashU next week for Multicultural Weekend, but at this point am heavily leaning towards Rice because of its unique residential college system (only Yale has something like it) among many other features that I love. :) </p>
<p>Rice also costs ~$10k less each year than WashU to attend, so I'd save $40k+ over 4 years just by attending Rice. But I mean, I don't know if financial aid is a problem for you.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your insightful replies HartinGA and blackeyedsusan.</p>
<p>I visited both schools in the past and liked both for their unique qualities.
I am going to the owl weeend at Rice and Multicultural weekend at WashU next week. I hope this will help me with my decision and stay happy with that decision :)<br>
BTW , to add more confusion, i also got into Duke (pratt engg school).</p>
<p>Fially, Ivyracer ..I wish you could explain why you feel that way about Washu.</p>
<p>In that case I would say go to Duke.</p>
<p>Why?
I chose WashU BME over Duke BME. I just liked the feel of WashU better.</p>
<p>Blackeyedsusan...</p>
<p>Thanks for the respectful corrections. The medical centers near Rice are as prestigous as any in the world, but are not technically part of Rice, so I just do not know how integrated they are into the Rice operation, whereas the facilities near Wash U include their own med school. I will defer to others who have posted that Rice students CAN get opportunities there.</p>
<p>As for the parks, I did slight Hermann Park, which is quite large (445 acres) and very nice for students. While it is no Forest Park (1,293 acres), I stand corrected nonetheless.</p>