White Knuckle Time... Help Me Pick

<p>It's coming down to the last couple of weeks to make my college decision... It has come down to two schools...Here's my situation:</p>

<p>I don't know what I want to major in yet, maybe business. Maybe grad school is in my future (law).</p>

<p>School #1 WUSTL</p>

<p>I visited WashU back in November, but I remember not being extremely impressed. The class I sat in on was very good, but I think my visit was clouded by doubts of acceptance and money. As it turns out, I was accepted into the January Program. I would probably take part in their summer program to partially compensate for the late start.</p>

<p>As a DIII school, I would have the opportunity to play baseball, which is one of my loves. I live in the state of Washington, so the school is a little ways away. They were quite generous in their FA offer, in fact my award was one of the highest I have read. </p>

<p>School #2 Gonzaga University</p>

<p>This is where everyone wants me to go. It's in my backyard after all, a twenty minute drive. I have never been terribly impressed with GU, I think that it is WAY overrated locally. I am a big sports fan, and the basketball experience would be cool, after growing up watching the team.</p>

<p>The price is only 2K less/yr at GU, despite receiving their highest merit scholarship. </p>

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<p>About me: I am coming from a very tiny private Catholic HS (graduating class of 8). My HS has never sent a grad to a top school. No AP's, etc. My parents have somewhat sheltered me, and lets just say that I don't get to do very much stuff socially, once every handful of weeks. I still have enough friends, am stable socially, all that good stuff. I am somewhat afraid that somehow that will continue, even if to a lesser extent, in college if I am right in town. Like many of you, all of my friends are right here in close proximity. Part of me feels the need to branch out and "get the hell away."</p>

<p>I think that coming from a very conservative family my parents are concerned to send me away, especially to a college with co-ed dorms (don't laugh).</p>

<p>I am also a violinist/fiddler, and I would be looking to play in some capacity in college.</p>

<p>I think that my parents will probably concede WashU if I want it bad enough. I guess I just never visited a school where I was like "Oh yeah, this is IT." I liked Notre Dame quite a bit, but was waitlisted. Love the sports vibe there... and the food :)</p>

<p>So I am asking for any input from all of you awesome people at CC. This isn't an "A or B" question necessarily. I probably forgot to mention some stuff, but I will continue to post as relevant details come to me.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>Ryan</p>

<p>Wash U kicks the crap out of Gonzaga.</p>

<p>It looks like you're leaning to WashU; go with your instincts.</p>

<p>I have always thought that part of college and growing up is about stretching yourself and expanding your horizons. While I can understand your trepidation and Gonzaga is an attractive alternative, I would advise a child of mine to attend Wash U. It is an excellent school and much more of a diverse atmosphere, both geographically and in terms of minority and international population. In addition, I also think of it as a very welcoming school, filled with nice kids and an administration that cares about student welfare and comfort. I think that most of the kids are very happy there and I think that you would be too. While I understand the views of your parents and your friends, it seems to me that this is the time in your life that you should be willing to take a (small) risk.</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

<p>WashU 10char</p>

<p>How did you end up with two top choices that don't impress you?</p>

<p>I visited all of the schools after I applied... It's more that I was not blown away with any of the schools and these are my remaining top two.</p>

<p>Try as hard as you can to get off the waitlist at ND. How much did you get at Washu?</p>

<p>i saw a post on this earlier, and i'd have to agree. ask people you know, not people on a message board. i'm not dissing CC, but it's your friends, not anonymous users, that'll help you out</p>

<p>That is great advice, and trust me, I have been. This place just gives one more perspective. :)</p>