<p>Having a tough time deciding.</p>
<p>Wisconsin pros:
* Almost half the price
* Big-time sports scene
* More diversity in types of students?</p>
<p>WashU pros:
* Academic reputation, class sizes, etc.
* Flexibility in classes, majors
* Intimate, beautiful campus</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>Pretty different experiences all the way around. I suspect you know deep-down which one you really want, and might be trying to talk yourself out of it. </p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with the big, state-school, athletic experience. It is a lot of fun. You can certainly prepare yourself well there, but it will require more self discipline. If you are academically ambitous beyond college, and wish to attend a presitgous grad or professional school, I have to believe Wash U offers a culture that is better suited to those pursuits. </p>
<p>Your comments seem generally correct, but I am curious about the "more diversity" comment. In terms of ethnicity, religion, and geography, Wash U would be far more diverse. Perhaps you mean economic diversity? Not sure about that one, as Wash U has excellent financial aid programs. Even so, you may be correct.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Where would you want to go if cost weren't a factor? Are you really into sports? Are you a self-motivated student? Will the distractions of a big campus make your grades suffer? What do you want for your college experience? What did you dream of college being like---which campus fits your "dream" the best? Visit both again if possible and try to imagine yourself at the school.
Only you know which school is a better fit for you....go with your gut...there is no wrong choice.</p>
<p>I agree with HartinGA. The two schools are so different and at such different academic levels that one wonders whether there is something, aside from the financials, that is gnawing at you about this decision that you have not mentioned.</p>
<p>Wisconsin is a big state school that is always at the top of college book lists for "top party and sports" schools. WashU on the other hand is a mid sized private school with a work hard/play hard atmosphere and a very selective student body. </p>
<p>I think that people would be able to give you better input if you could better articulate what's on your mind.</p>
<p>OK, here's some more background.</p>
<p>Right now, I'm interested in engineering of some sort, possibly biomedical engineering, but I'm also possibly interested in neurology and maybe even architecture. And who knows what else I might become interested in once I get to college and explore all the opportunities.</p>
<p>I've been accepted into the engineering schools at both Wisconsin and WashU. From what I've read, both have respected engineering schools, and Wisconsin's may actually get the nod over WashU's, who knows.</p>
<p>But I also want a school where I can be flexible with what I study, and from all that I've heard, WashU is that kind of school. I need to find out more about that in regards to Wisconsin.</p>
<p>As far as the college experience, I actually like the best of both WashU and Wisconsin. I like the whole school spirit experience at Wisconsin with its sports. I would miss having the bigtime spirit at WashU, I think, though it's certainly not my No. 1 concern.</p>
<p>At WashU, I like the fact that it's very selective, that I'd be challenged by being with so many smart people. I like that most classes would be smaller, and that professors might be more accessible. I love the feel of the campus (though I like Wisconsin's campus, too, even though they are different).</p>
<p>And yes, money does enter the picture. My family is middle class, maybe upper middle class, and WashU is not cheap. We'd have to take on some debt, and about one-third of the debt would be mine (I'd probably finish four years of school with about $40,000 of debt. Over 10 years, that would be manageable debt, but at Wisconsin I would be able to pay my share through work during college and finish with no debt.).</p>
<p>So that's the background. I know it's my decision, but it doesn't hurt to hear other perspectives.</p>
<p>By the way, I'm female.</p>
<p>badger59,
My D was in a similar situation last year...was offered a GREAT scholarship from our state university(she would have actually been paid to go there and was leaning toward it). The flexibility of taking classes in any field and the ease of double majoring was the deciding factor. After talking to both schools extensively everything WashU said was what she wanted and everything the other school said ended up being a negative factor. I suggest talking to some deans/administrators/professors at both schools, tell them your goals and see how they answer any concerns you have about the schools. Good luck making your decision.</p>
<p>I will take a shot here, but keep in mind that NO ONE else can tell you what to do. This is your call. Your options may be liimited by extraneous factors such as money, but your choice it is.</p>
<p>If I simplify the equation by striking all of the offsetting variables, I am left with this:</p>
<p>Loss of big-time athletics, which is not very important, vs flexibility to shift course of study within a consistently top academic environment, which you say IS important. So the only question is whether that trade is worth the extra cost. Again, no one else can make that call. $40K is not crushing, but a tough payment for a 22 year old kid. And make sure you have pursued all of the aid possible at Wash U. If down the road your family will have more than one kid in school, the aid would go up. </p>
<p>My only other comment is to ask whether you are being honest (with yourself) about the importance of the big college atmosphere. Don't be embarassed to say that it is. That criterion is as valid as any other. If that is the environment you always dreamed of, then you will never be content with giving it up.</p>
<p>Badger,
I responded to your post on the UW Madison forum but now that I know a little more about you I can give you a more direct opinion. </p>
<p>Both are great schools but I believe Wash U may be a better choice for exploring some of the options that you are interested in. Professors really are focused on the students and I think you will get individual attention from beginning to end at Wash U as opposed to Madison. That's just my sense from talking to my nephew and others who attended Madison vs. my son's experience at Wash U.</p>
<p>That being said and from the perspective of another middle class poster, Wash U is anything but middle class. It is chock full of the "coasties" that posters refer to on the UW forum. I'm sorry if that sounds like stereotyping but there is a noticeable difference between these kids and the ones from the midwest - From our experience dealing with roommates and others, there is an entitled attitude about money and the privilege it buys. Obviously not every kid from a coast is like this, but Wash U seems to have a critical mass. It didn't deter my son from getting an excellent education or from making great friends from both coasts, but it's a huge difference between the two schools. Madison is far more down to earth with a more economically diverse student body. It's something to be aware of - not a deal breaker in my opinion if you are focusing on a priority of academics, which it sounds like you are.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. If you decide on Wash U, take a look at some of the freshman seminars. The Text and Tradition became the foundation for my son's major. </p>
<p>First</a> Year Programs | The College | Arts & Sciences</p>
<p>Hey Badger:</p>
<p>If cost is an issue, pick the cheaper school.</p>
<p>Would though like to note that my son's academic advisors at Washu are the two most receptive and helpful perople I have ever met. The school really does care about its students.</p>