<p>So I got into Wellesley and Northwestern class '15 and I like both of them, but they are completely different. The academics at both are top notch and I really don't think I'll have a hard time adjusting either way. But, I need help deciding!!
Wellesley is really great, but I'm just not sure about the whole "ghost town" campus during the weekdays/ lack of social life. I would like to go to parties, but not so much that it would be a fact of life. If anyone can tell me about the social scene in Wellesley that would be great. I would hate to be locked in my room studying 24/7 + I am more of an outgoing type.
And also I realize that I am super lucky to even get into NW and don't know if I would regret turning it down.
Financial aid for both is pretty much the same. Help me decide? Also, in terms of name value which one is worth more? My dad says Wellesley, but he's kind of old fashioned...thanks.</p>
<p>hmmmmm? This thread looks interesting. My daughter will be
applying to Wellesley this Fall. I happen to have three degrees
from Northwestern–'71,'72,'74. I know, not the most recent
degrees!!</p>
<p>It would seem that huge differences exist between the schools.
US News… does not rank them in the same category for starters.</p>
<p>FWIW- Figure out who you are (in many respects) and lay out
a written list of pro’s and con’s, both schools. I would not discount
your Dad’s thinking. Maybe he could make a list as well. This
might be a fine discussion starting point.</p>
<p>Go Cats! </p>
<p>.02 David</p>
<p>Nu!!!</p>
<p>I solved this problem by having twins: D is going to Wellesley in the fall and S is going to Northwestern. I suppose that doesn’t help the OP much, though.</p>
<p>A small, all-women’s LAC versus a university that is a good four times bigger at the undergrad level and has a lot more of “typical” college trappings (Greek life, Big 10 athletics, etc.). It’s really just apples and oranges.</p>
<p>I know your D 
I suppose it couldn’t be a coincidence haha… Do you think either school has an advantage based on reputation?</p>
<p>Lenacleff: In the “Ask a Wellesley First-Year” thread there is a lot of information about the social scene at Wellesley. Wellesley women definitely work hard, there’s no doubt about it.</p>
<p>Oanaliana: I wouldn’t say that Northwestern has the so-called “wow factor” that Wellesley does. The education will undoubtedly be fabulous at whichever school you choose, however. </p>
<p>Some things that might tip the scales and help you decide are not only student-faculty ratio, but also number of classes with 20 students or fewer and with more than 50. If you’re interested in undergrad research opportunities and in possibly co-authoring papers with faculty, small LACs often have opportunities that undergrads could only dream of at large research universities. Not all schools have as much funding for undergrad internships, and not all schools will allow you to use your financial aid for study abroad. If either of these interest you, you can compare the policies of the two schools. You can look at Rate My Professor to see how students rate the overall quality of teaching at each school and how the individual professors in each department are rated. If you care about dorm size and conditions, check out the “Dorms like Palaces” and other rankings which analyze on-campus housing. I know Wellesley’s dorms rank very high for size and comfort, I don’t know about Northwestern’s. Wellesley gives students unlimited access to any and all dining halls as many times a day as they would like. You can find out how the meal plans work at Northwestern. Wellesley has pretty specific breadth requirements for the degree and doesn’t freely grant credit for all AP classes taken in high school. I don’t know about Northwestern. Wellesley also has a physical education requirement (although the options include fun stuff like sailing and archery). If having lots of easy access to men is important to you, obviously Northwestern would be a better choice. On-campus parking, availability of on-campus Zip Cars, off-campus public transportation, and a generally small-town, urban or suburban feel might make one of the two choices more attractive. I don’t know what the differences in climate are, if any, between the two schools. Wellesley’s 500-acre campus is famous for its beauty (It was designed by the same person who designed Central Park.) I don’t know about the Northwestern campus. Grad school, law school, and med school acceptance rates vary from institution to institution, so you might like to explore that question. As a single-sex college, Wellesley, by definition, eliminates any subtle competition between the sexes in the classroom, extracurricular and leadership positions. Many people feel that women come out stronger and more courageous after an all-women’s undergraduate experience. To get a feel for students who have committed to Wellesley’s Class of 2015, I recommend you get on the Facebook page which is already up and running with almost 150 registered members as of today. I would imagine Northwestern has a page set up as well. </p>
<p>Pizzagirl: My daughter and yours befriended each other the other day on the Class of 2015 FB page, and they proceeded to have a great conversation on Skype. She and I look forward to meeting you both at Spring Open Campus.</p>
<p>^I disagree your assessment on reputation. It really depends on who that person is. For someone like me that knows one of the former Chinese first ladies went there, yes, it’s “wow” (it doesn’t wow me more than Northwestern though because I also know NU student body have very high SATs these days). But probably 99.9% of the Chinese population don’t know this; and probably 95% of the Americans don’t know Hilary Clinton went there and even if they know, many of them may not think as highly of her as I do.</p>
<p>I’m not Chinese but, even if I were, I wouldn’t attempt to assign percentage figures to the various ethnic/racial group members in America who know or don’t know Wellesley’s name, history and reputation. Furthermore, I don’t find the fact that Madame Chang Kai Shek went to Wellesley to be the most compelling argument in favor of Wellesley’s image in the media and public consciousness as an elite school (or not) on par (or not) with Northwestern. The fact that Smith College counts multiple former first ladies amongst its alumnae is probably not the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they hear the name “Smith,” either. </p>
<p>As for test scores as a measure of prestige, there are many schools in America with high average SAT scores, but I think I’m safe in saying that not all of them possess the “wow factor” of the Ivy League or Stanford, for example. There’s more to prestige than SAT scores.</p>
<p>I still stand by the opinion I expressed above, to wit: “I wouldn’t say that Northwestern has the so-called “wow factor” that Wellesley does. The education will undoubtedly be fabulous at whichever school you choose, however.”</p>
<p>Hey, we play a little Big Ten football! That would count as WOW in
some people’s minds. Kidding!</p>
<p>FWIW my daughter’s interest in Wellesley is partially driven by the fact
that big time college sports are not part of the picture. While Northwestern
is a founding member of the Big Ten, it has never confused its’ academic
mission by selling out to win at all costs athletics. </p>
<p>In my opinion, Wellesley would seem at the top of the Sisters. There is a
certain WOW to this perception.</p>
<p>For my daughter, I like the small class size and intimate educational environment
Wellesley would seem to offer. In my experience you will not find educational
intimacy at Northwestern. </p>
<p>My .02 – random thoughts. David GO CATS!</p>
<p>marama,</p>
<p>I think you took what i wrote too literally. I am not God that knows the actual percentages obviously; it was just a way to accentuate a point. As for “wow” factor, you might be right for limited number of people but I wouldn’t project your own perception so broadly. I went to a high school in Williamstown for two years (from Hong Kong) and when I tried to describe the location to friends, most of them had no idea about Williams. For every “wow”, the top LACs suffer multiple “blank-stares” and I am not only referring to laymen. </p>
<p>SAT doesn’t equate prestige but they are closely related. The order is not an exact mirror image but is not too far off either. You are right that quite a few schools with similar SAT don’t have the same prestige as the Ivies/Stanford. But as far as NU vs Wellesley goes, Northwestern’s SAT average was 80 points higher for the class of 2014. I don’t think your analogy of Ivies/Stanford vs non-Ivies quite applies here.</p>
<p>–“I think you took what i wrote too literally. I am not God that knows the actual percentages obviously; it was just a way to accentuate a point.”</p>
<p>During the 19 years that I taught English, Sam, I always stressed to my students the importance of care and precision in speech and writing. I did not mistake you for God. I was merely responding to what you wrote. If you didn’t mean for your statement to sound like a blanket generalization, then perhaps you shouldn’t have phrased it in such a way that it came out sounding like a blanket generalization.</p>
<p>–“As for “wow” factor [sic], you might be right for limited number [sic] of people but I wouldn’t project your own perception so broadly.” </p>
<p>The nature of Internet forums is such that they are, by definition, a vehicle for broad dissemination of information, opinions, etc. If you are suggesting I should not participate in this forum so as not to project my “own perception so broadly,” then I shall redirect that suggestion back to you. You wouldn’t, perchance, believe that you have more of a right to express your opinions here than do others? </p>
<p>–“I went to a high school in Williamstown for two years (from Hong Kong) and when I tried to describe the location to friends, most of them had no idea about Williams. For every “wow”, the top LACs suffer multiple “blank-stares” and I am not only referring to laymen.” </p>
<p>No, not everyone in the U.S. and abroad is familiar with every single elite institution of higher learning located in the United States and abroad. I guarantee you, if you named a prestigious college located in Hong Kong, it would not ring a bell for me. </p>
<p>–“SAT doesn’t equate prestige [sic] but they are closely related. The order is not an exact mirror image [sic] but is not too far off [sic] either.” </p>
<p>Students at better schools generally have higher standardized test scores–as well as higher grades, a more rigorous courseload, more awards, more serious extracurriculars, more demonstrated leadership skills, and a whole host of other things–than those at less selective schools. As I stated above, there’s more to a school’s prestige than simply the SAT scores of the student body. </p>
<p>Sam, in the final analysis, it doesn’t matter whether we agree. The First Amendment was a great addition to the Constitution.</p>
<p>Marama - first off, I look forward to meeting you and your D! (outed!)</p>
<p>As far as the wow factor – it depends on where you are. I assure you that here from where I stand, NU has a far greater wow factor among the general public - many of who have never heard of Wellesley or at most have a vague Hillary Clinton association. </p>
<p>But among those who know better, both schools are well regarded. Personally, I couldn’t be prouder of both my kids, they are both fabulous schools (just apples to oranges) and I think “wow factors” are pretty irrelevant in determining a school’s quality and I discourage my kids from caring about it.</p>
<p>See you in Wellesley!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Both schools have more than enough prestige and reputation for anyone’s needs. Make the decision based on other factors – Boston vs Chicago, smaller vs larger, single-sex vs co-ed. Don’t even pretend that “one is better” in the absolute - it’s a silly argument. It’s all good. It really is!</p>
<p>Thanks for your contributions to the discussion, Pizzagirl. </p>
<p>Just for clarification, the only reason I entered into a discussion of perceived prestige was that Oanaliana specifically asked for people’s feedback on the question of whether “either school has an advantage based on reputation?” Otherwise, as I have consistently maintained throughout this discussion thread, I am convinced both are fabulous schools where a wonderful education can be had. Congratulations on both of your children’s accomplishments. You must be very proud!</p>
<p>marama,</p>
<p>You seemed to become rather combative and a bit condescending. Pardon my English; I didn’t know I am being graded here on an online forum.
I was referring to my friends in the U.S., not Hong Kong. </p>
<p>
I was suggesting you not to generalize (“it depends on the person”) just like you told me not to generalize using percentage figures.<br>
I have already mentioned average SAT score does not equte prestige but they are closely related. If one school has so much “wow” factor, it should follow that that “wow” factor would draw the students with top scores. That why Ivies/Stanford…etc have average SAT well above, not well below, 1400. Your claim that Welleysley has “wow” factor and Northwestern doesn’t is just not consistent with the stats comparison (80 points, not 10, 20, or even 30, lower).</p>
<p>
True, it doesn’t matter whether we agree. That said, I don’t think you offered much “analysis”.</p>
<p>Psst, Sam, stop arguing with marama. She’s very careful about what she writes and in this instance (as in most instances) she’s read what you wrote, analyzed it pretty darn well, and responded. She thinks they’re both great schools and they are. She thinks that in some circles, the Wellesley name carries some cache - the “wow” factor - and would agree that Northwestern has it in some other circles, too. You’re not going to “win” this because there’s nothing to win, so please stop trying.</p>
<p>I think I’ve figured out the issue here (being a superior NU grad and all … ha ha, just KIDDING, people).</p>
<p>You can define prestige (or maybe cachet, that may be a better word for what we’re talking about) several ways.</p>
<p>One is based on raw intellect / “raw brains” of who goes there. (I suppose SAT scores could be used as a proxy for that, however imperfect, but let’s use it for now.) By that rubric – often used by international students who are ranking schools on very numeric, functional attributes – NU certainly yields to very few. I suspect this is how Sam Lee is measuring it, based on this statement: * I have already mentioned average SAT score does not equte prestige but they are closely related. If one school has so much “wow” factor, it should follow that that “wow” factor would draw the students with top scores. *</p>
<p>However, another way of looking at prestige – which is why I bring the word cachet in as a potential substitute – is in terms of social cachet. <em>Regardless</em> of what Wellesley’s average SAT scores (etc) are, Wellesley does have a certain social cachet – historically where the “better girls” from the “best families” went, blue blood, etc. I think it’s very possible for an international such as Sam Lee to not fully appreciate the historical prestige of W (and the other Sisters, of course, but let’s keep this at W for right now). And that prestige is rather independent of actual SAT scores, selectivity, and the like. And that’s where I think Marama is coming from, with this comment: * As for test scores as a measure of prestige, there are many schools in America with high average SAT scores, but I think I’m safe in saying that not all of them possess the “wow factor” of the Ivy League or Stanford, for example. *</p>
<p>I think both schools are prestigious, but in slightly different ways and among slightly different crowds. We were at the Chicago Wellesley Alumnae Club reception yesterday. I assure you, there were quite a few Wellesley u-grads who wound up at NU for grad work who clearly respected and thought highly of both schools. It’s a wash, really. This comes down to personal preference. I have no doubt that over the next 4 years, I’ll be seeing both of my kids get absolutely top-notch educations … just in different settings and with different flavors.</p>
<p>Amen, Pizzagirl, and thank you, ac1981.</p>
<p>Sam: I will not dignify your latest rant with a reply. Give up.</p>
<p>Sam Lee - as a proud NU grad, married to another NU grad, and parent of an incoming freshman, I’m not at all offended by marama’s statement that she didn’t think Northwestern had the “wow” factor that Wellesley does. <em>I</em> know that in <em>my</em> neck of the woods, NU has a far greater “wow” factor and that Wellesley is relatively little known (except perhaps among people who are Clinton/Albright acolytes, or who have East Coast roots). All that means is that we live in different parts of the country. I know that both schools will take anyone as far as they want to go and it’s not a contest.</p>
<p>I don’t really care what marama personally thinks. The OP wonders about reputation among the general public; there’s no simple answer and it all depends. I am actually aware of the historic prestige though I do not know it as well as you do and that’s why I never use the higher SAT score to claim NU has better reputation everywhere. I used that only to dispute her blanklet generalization she implied earlier. </p>
<p>ac1981,
If you actually go back to prior posts, that’s my and your position, but not hers:
marama,
I don’t need to give up anything since you apparently switched side (I take it that’s what Amen means…).</p>