WashU vs. UVA?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a high school senior, and I submitted my deposit to WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) just yesterday. Problem is, I got waitlisted from UVA, and I turned the postcard in to indicate that I would like to be considered on the waiting list. Is it worth it to at least consider UVA, given that I get accepted off of their waiting list later on?</p>

<p>Ever since I got my admissions decisions from both WashU and UVA, I've been wondering how it happened -- supposedly, WashU is the overall better school, yet I got accepted there and waitlisted at UVA. One reason I came up with is that I was considered as an international student (I didn't yet have my green card when I was applying), thus giving me an edge at WashU (I'm not sure if this is even true).</p>

<p>I also live in Virginia, which means that I SHOULD have had a better chance to get in UVA than WashU. Furthermore, my grades (in my opinion) aren't that great, and I'm a bit lacking in other categories as well. In fact, I visited WashU recently (and absolutely loved it, I may add), and I'm a bit worried about the difficulty of academics there.</p>

<p>If I go to WashU, I'm thinking about majoring in either PNP (Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology) or psychology and minoring in Music or Photography. If I go to UVA, I'd probably major in psychology.</p>

<p>One thing I like about WashU is its ease to double major or major-minor, and its low number of required courses. One thing I like about UVA is the relative ease of courses and distance to home.</p>

<p>Also, I don't have many financial problems (if I go to WashU, I'm paying the whole tuition -- they didn't give me any money).</p>

<p>With all of these factors considered, is it worth the wait and energy to consider UVA, if i get off of their waiting list? (sorry everyone for the long post)</p>

2

<p>There's no wrong answer here - it's all your choice. Both places are wonderful, both have great name appeal, boh will provide you a wonderful experience. Make yourself happy.</p>

3

<p>any other thoughts?</p>

4

<p>If you can get into UVA, matriculate there. Unless you are an engineering or computer science student, you probably can't afford the debt involved in attending Wash. U. Also, having lived in Boston for two decades, I can tell you that UVA has name recognition that Wash. U. doesn't have -- even if it should. UVA is unbelievable bang for the buck.</p>

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<p>"One thing I like about WashU is its ease to double major or major-minor, and its low number of required courses. One thing I like about UVA is the relative ease of courses and distance to home."</p>

<p>its easy to double major or major minor at uva. most majors which will give u a B.A. (like psychology) are 28-34 credits. you need 120 to graduate. you can major-minor, double major, or double major and minor with ease at UVa--at least in the college. e-school students have it harder i imagine.</p>

<p>also, i doubt UVa's classes are 'easier' than washu's. i don't know where you get this idea. psychology is easy no matter where you go.</p>

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<p>If you're considered an international student, then it doesn't matter that you live in Virginia--it won't make it easier to get in. You're considered a non-resident. You were likely considered as part of the pool of people who apply from Maryland, New York, Montana, etc..... or, if UVa handles its international targets separately, you may have been considered as part of the pool of people who apply from China, Belize, Cameroon, etc.</p>

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<p>Both great schools. You will be happy with either. But would wait to hear from VA and probably even take it if it comes. Since you are living there and it is such a gorgeous place. Agree that on east coast, UVA is definitely considered a public ivy. Great springboard for any grad school apps you may do. WashU more of a midwest regional reputation, fair or not.</p>

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<p>2ishunpoor - "WashU more of a midwest regional reputation" Not sure where you get that from - possibly 20 years ago - but hardly anymore. Over the last few years the quality of their admited students is second to none. If indeed you feel that way, I am surprised that your D considered it.</p>

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<p>Agreed, ST. Outstanding school, D's first choice even if prob wont get in. But if interviewing in NYC, or applying fo go for a PhD in whatever at an Ivy, I think same major and GPA at Amherst would win a head-to-head. Fair or not, the brand recognition/reputation gap is still there. Again, more so in NE than in Chicago, Dallas or even Atlanta. Hope Wash U rep continues to grow! We need them and Grinnell and NWern and more like them!!</p>

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<p>2ishunpoor, just wondering, what do you base these assumptions off of? Actual experience, or just what you think?</p>

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<p>depends - which assumptions? Reputation? researching colleges for my kids last four years. Rankings? Good ol' USNews!</p>

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<p>Oh and excuse the mixup with Amherst and UVA. Didnt realize excellent argument with ST2 was split across two threads (he ended up winning - darn!). One was Wash U vs. Amherst, other was this one Wash U vs. UVA. </p>

<p>vs. Virginia, I think both of them have higher visibility and regard within their time-zones than elsewhere. Amherst is pretty high up there ivory-tower-wize. between Wash and VA, would really have to look at major preferences and urban vs. small college town.</p>

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<p>quareidfaciam: I can't say I disagree -- my music teacher, who's in his early 60's, has never in his life heard about WashU, until I told him that I was planning to attend. Of course, that might be because I live in VA and more people tend to know about UVA than WashU. Can anyone clarify if UVA really has better name recognition than WashU does?</p>

<p>jags: I probably should have said the ability to double major or major-minor is easier at WashU than it is at UVA, simply because of the low number of required courses. And you're right, UVA classes probably aren't "easier" than WashU's; I was lazy to say that I met more people who have said that the work is very intense at WashU than meeting people who have said the same about UVA.</p>

<p>2ishunpoor: I hate to repeat this for the hundredth time, but rankings are bs. I'm not trying to bash you or anything, but the truth is, every school is special in its own ways. School rankings (and other rankings, for that matter), ultimately, are just clever lures to increase business. I won't lie, though -- I've used rankings, but just as a guide to find colleges to apply to. I made sure that each college I applied to was a good fit for me by researching.</p>

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<p>Agree - not the end all be all. Useful for deciding where to consider. Helps more schools get more consideration. Many LACs have gotten much more attention lately I think.</p>

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<p>2ishunpoor - Very seldom do you see an admission like that on CC. I was going to PM you, but it looks like you don't have that enabled. Why don't you do that. You seem like you have your act together.</p>

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<p>Um, go to Wash U</p>