Which college to go to?
March 15, 2006 3:46 AM Subscribe
What are the negative and the postive things that can be said about this short list of colleges?
Assume that my son gets acceptances at the following colleges, and that the money issue is not to be considered, do you know from experience or close friends anything good and bad about The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State); Goucher; Connecticut College (not the Univer.of Connecticut); Emory, Brandeis, and Washington (in St Louis). These schools range from reach schools (not likeoy to get accepted but worth a try) to safety schools (will be accepted) and a middle group--try for them. My son is interested in a decent and serious education and a good college experience.
Assume that my son gets acceptances at the following colleges, and that the money issue is not to be considered, do you know from experience or close friends anything good and bad about The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State); Goucher; Connecticut College (not the Univer.of Connecticut); Emory, Brandeis, and Washington (in St Louis). These schools range from reach schools (not likeoy to get accepted but worth a try) to safety schools (will be accepted) and a middle group--try for them. My son is interested in a decent and serious education and a good college experience.
Except for Connecticut College, I know people that went to all of those schools and they all enjoyed them. College of NJ I hear can be a little dull, though. A very good friend of mine went to Brandeis and he liked it a lot. I get the impression it lives in the shadow of some other Boston school. Visited Goucher once and got knocked unconscious by a flying lacrosse ball. Don't think that's a reason not to go, though.
posted by BigBrownBear at 4:22 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by BigBrownBear at 4:22 AM on March 15, 2006
I have two sisters. One went to Emory, and one went to WUSTL. I also have friends at both schools, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.
Make sure you take weather into consideration. I go to school in Texas. If I went to a school up north, I would probably never attend class nor have the will to live due to the blistering cold.
posted by mr.dan at 4:22 AM on March 15, 2006
Make sure you take weather into consideration. I go to school in Texas. If I went to a school up north, I would probably never attend class nor have the will to live due to the blistering cold.
posted by mr.dan at 4:22 AM on March 15, 2006
I know a large number of people who have gone to Connecticut College, including my sister and aunt. All of them, to the very last one, loved the experience immensely. A very solid educational experience, and a fantastic environment.
I'm a Bentley graduate, and lived in Waltham, MA, for five or six years, including two right down the street from Brandeis. You never saw those kids, or heard things about the school, their events and social activities, or anything else. That kinda says something to me...
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:34 AM on March 15, 2006
I'm a Bentley graduate, and lived in Waltham, MA, for five or six years, including two right down the street from Brandeis. You never saw those kids, or heard things about the school, their events and social activities, or anything else. That kinda says something to me...
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:34 AM on March 15, 2006
Education-wise, Brandeis is an great school. However here are quality-of-life issues. Kids there look forward to weekend trips to... Boston. Emory is also a decent school but, gah, Atlanta. If I had to choose I'd probably choose Brandeis.
posted by nixerman at 5:36 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by nixerman at 5:36 AM on March 15, 2006
What sort of subject areas is he interested in? Or has he not made up his mind yet?
posted by divka at 6:16 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by divka at 6:16 AM on March 15, 2006
I go to Goucher. Very (like absurdly so) pretty campus, small classes and a great sense of community. Big Jewish presence, both on campus and in Baltimore. Depending on what your son wants to study, departments range from excellent to non-existent. If you/he'd like more information feel free to email me.
posted by youcancallmeal at 6:18 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by youcancallmeal at 6:18 AM on March 15, 2006
Postroad, please tell us what he is or might be interested in studying. That's critical in deciding what school to pick...
Brandeis is about 45% Jewish, and although it was started as a sort of Jewish school, it doesn't have any sort of institutionalized religion to it. The sciences are top-notch and certainly don't live "in the shadow" of any other Boston schools, unless you're directly comparing it to MIT. Social life is generally dull and people tend to be fairly boring, and it's far enough from Boston that it's often inconvenient to go down there and have fun. The upside of this is that the school has no large population of dumb jocks, dumb fratboys, or pretentious indie jerks. I'd recommend it for a "decent and serious" education.
posted by rxrfrx at 6:35 AM on March 15, 2006
Brandeis is about 45% Jewish, and although it was started as a sort of Jewish school, it doesn't have any sort of institutionalized religion to it. The sciences are top-notch and certainly don't live "in the shadow" of any other Boston schools, unless you're directly comparing it to MIT. Social life is generally dull and people tend to be fairly boring, and it's far enough from Boston that it's often inconvenient to go down there and have fun. The upside of this is that the school has no large population of dumb jocks, dumb fratboys, or pretentious indie jerks. I'd recommend it for a "decent and serious" education.
posted by rxrfrx at 6:35 AM on March 15, 2006
I have several past students at Emory and friends and former students have gone to Wash. St. L.
Have heard very good things about both of them. Washington, in particular, has developed a bit of a nice academic reputation, under the radar though it might be.
It may also depend on your son's prospective major. Even good schools (hell, even great ones) can have a weak department or two, and even some "safeties" can have a strong one.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 6:35 AM on March 15, 2006
Have heard very good things about both of them. Washington, in particular, has developed a bit of a nice academic reputation, under the radar though it might be.
It may also depend on your son's prospective major. Even good schools (hell, even great ones) can have a weak department or two, and even some "safeties" can have a strong one.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 6:35 AM on March 15, 2006
I attended Brandeis as a graduate student in the sciences - my father was also in the first graduating class of the undergraduate school. It's very important to know what your son is going to study in order to make a good recommendation. I thought that certain science departments were weaker than others, and some of the liberal arts programs were top-notch.
posted by Flakypastry at 6:42 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by Flakypastry at 6:42 AM on March 15, 2006
Response by poster: More specifics: my son loves and knows a good deal of world history and thought he would major in that. But now he suggests he may change his mind. Clearly he will do something in liberal arts....has in the recent past been interested in teaching public school at elementary level: he is unusual for a young boy in that he loves children and is very good with them. He MUST have a school with Div III track--cross country and indoors. He knows he is not great runner but also knows he is disciplined and meets friends through track (he grades are very good and got even better when he joined high school track team).
NJ school: seems mostly for teacher educuation. Conn College and Goucher were at one time schools for girls and I had taught at Douglas College, part now of Rutgers, and discovered that such places tend to be rather conservative. My son likes smallish school and will not consider a state university with 20 thousand students...that all means: small=private and private=expensive. NJ is about 6 thousand but is not the main state place (Rutgers is). He has met coaches at some of these places and liked them.
He dismissed a few schools he visited earlier because of what he thougt a rather lax, indifferent playboyish feel for the campus--more seriousness at Brandeis. He has not yet visited Washington or Emory, though he has applied and would visit either or both if accepted. Thanks. This is indeed helpful.
posted by Postroad at 6:49 AM on March 15, 2006
NJ school: seems mostly for teacher educuation. Conn College and Goucher were at one time schools for girls and I had taught at Douglas College, part now of Rutgers, and discovered that such places tend to be rather conservative. My son likes smallish school and will not consider a state university with 20 thousand students...that all means: small=private and private=expensive. NJ is about 6 thousand but is not the main state place (Rutgers is). He has met coaches at some of these places and liked them.
He dismissed a few schools he visited earlier because of what he thougt a rather lax, indifferent playboyish feel for the campus--more seriousness at Brandeis. He has not yet visited Washington or Emory, though he has applied and would visit either or both if accepted. Thanks. This is indeed helpful.
posted by Postroad at 6:49 AM on March 15, 2006
Goucher. Goucher, Goucher, Goucher. Not conservative. Well, not politically anyway. (College Republicans here means five people at a table in the student center.) Administration gets a little heavy-handed at times, but I work on the paper here and admit to a little bias on that issue. The male/female ratio has drastically improved in the years that I've been here...I'd put it at around 60/40 now.
Great education department. One of the best around, actually. Liberal arts are good here due to the small class size. The small size also makes it easier to join athletic teams, although the sports remain rather competitive. Good athletic facilties. It's all fairly new and shiny.
Students here take their education seriously but there is still a relaxed feeling that I like. Other things to consider are the interschool possibilities that exist between Goucher and Hopkins/MICA/etc. Also, Goucher requires a study-abroad component for incoming students which definitely helps with the diversity of opinions on campus.
Again, I'm more than happy to answer more questions you may have.
posted by youcancallmeal at 7:02 AM on March 15, 2006
Great education department. One of the best around, actually. Liberal arts are good here due to the small class size. The small size also makes it easier to join athletic teams, although the sports remain rather competitive. Good athletic facilties. It's all fairly new and shiny.
Students here take their education seriously but there is still a relaxed feeling that I like. Other things to consider are the interschool possibilities that exist between Goucher and Hopkins/MICA/etc. Also, Goucher requires a study-abroad component for incoming students which definitely helps with the diversity of opinions on campus.
Again, I'm more than happy to answer more questions you may have.
posted by youcancallmeal at 7:02 AM on March 15, 2006
My now-ex-wife went to grad school at Emory, so I spent a lot of time in the area, and heard lots of stories about the undergrads there.
In general, I agree with zpousman's assessment of Emory as the proto-typical college experience. Just about every program there is solid, particularly (IIRC) Math and English. Great facilities, and lots of student activities. Atlanta is a bustling, fun town, though it does get hot, hotter than you can possibly imagine, for months on end.
My one warning would be that there are a lot of nouveau riche types there: lots of BMWs and Mercedes and other fancy cars, lots of students with heavy jewelry, lots of spoiled kids. There are big frat and sorority scenes there, and lots of social stratification. If your kid is the type to feel envy for others' wealth, or if he'll feel left out by the social scene, you might advise him to avoid the place.
Of course, every other college on your list may have the same scene. Honestly, if I had things to do over again, I might actually have chosen Emory, myself. I think it'd be a fun place to go to college, if you're not bothered by the snobby kids.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:08 AM on March 15, 2006
In general, I agree with zpousman's assessment of Emory as the proto-typical college experience. Just about every program there is solid, particularly (IIRC) Math and English. Great facilities, and lots of student activities. Atlanta is a bustling, fun town, though it does get hot, hotter than you can possibly imagine, for months on end.
My one warning would be that there are a lot of nouveau riche types there: lots of BMWs and Mercedes and other fancy cars, lots of students with heavy jewelry, lots of spoiled kids. There are big frat and sorority scenes there, and lots of social stratification. If your kid is the type to feel envy for others' wealth, or if he'll feel left out by the social scene, you might advise him to avoid the place.
Of course, every other college on your list may have the same scene. Honestly, if I had things to do over again, I might actually have chosen Emory, myself. I think it'd be a fun place to go to college, if you're not bothered by the snobby kids.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:08 AM on March 15, 2006
Oh! Goucher doesn't have a greek scene. At all. As in, not allowed. The athletic teams kind of serve that function, though and people outside of sports do tend to form their own cliques.
Since it's not a cheap school, there are some rather fancy pants students with Acuras, but nothing like Emory seems. There are also students like me who are hella poor and get lots of funding from the school. Tuition is about $30k a year and I pay about $3k with only an equivalent amount in loans...the rest comes from grants.
posted by youcancallmeal at 7:16 AM on March 15, 2006
Since it's not a cheap school, there are some rather fancy pants students with Acuras, but nothing like Emory seems. There are also students like me who are hella poor and get lots of funding from the school. Tuition is about $30k a year and I pay about $3k with only an equivalent amount in loans...the rest comes from grants.
posted by youcancallmeal at 7:16 AM on March 15, 2006
I've heard that WashU is an excellent school. However, it's in St. Louis, and St. Louis bites the big one.
/ex-St. Louisan
posted by Afroblanco at 7:36 AM on March 15, 2006
/ex-St. Louisan
posted by Afroblanco at 7:36 AM on March 15, 2006
I went to Brandeis in the early '90s, and it's a very good school. It's had its problems, but most of its liberal arts majors are excellent. The reason NotMyselfRightNow probably didn't hear much from the Brandeis kids is that most of us went into Cambridge or Boston when we did something off-campus, rather than hang around Waltham (which is a nice enough place, but by comparison not so interesting). The school is within easy walking distance of the Commuter Rail, which can take you right into Cambridge, and so it's easy to get around without a car.
The problems I had at Brandeis were mostly due to a dean who was insensitive to some of the medical issues I had, but the man in question isn't there any more, and I understand the deans as a group are pretty good right now.
Like Goucher, Brandeis disallows the Greek scene, though there were (and, I assume, are) underground frats and sororities that are fairly well-known. Since frat houses aren't allowed on campus, it's pretty easy to avoid them.
As for its politics, it's difficult to find a more liberal school. It's over 75% Jewish, and it is the school that both Abby Hoffman and Angela Davis attended.
posted by cerebus19 at 7:39 AM on March 15, 2006
The problems I had at Brandeis were mostly due to a dean who was insensitive to some of the medical issues I had, but the man in question isn't there any more, and I understand the deans as a group are pretty good right now.
Like Goucher, Brandeis disallows the Greek scene, though there were (and, I assume, are) underground frats and sororities that are fairly well-known. Since frat houses aren't allowed on campus, it's pretty easy to avoid them.
As for its politics, it's difficult to find a more liberal school. It's over 75% Jewish, and it is the school that both Abby Hoffman and Angela Davis attended.
posted by cerebus19 at 7:39 AM on March 15, 2006
FWIW, Washington has an excellent reputation in the Midwest as a quality (and smaller) alternative to the Big Ten schools. The Wikipedia article is pretty right on.
The weather in that area of the country can be pretty frightening however.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:41 AM on March 15, 2006
The weather in that area of the country can be pretty frightening however.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:41 AM on March 15, 2006
where is he coming from? that will make a difference at at least a few of these schools. if you're from the far north, emory will be a great, but sometimes cliquey experience. TCONJ and Conn College can be very NEstern, and therefore cold to southerners.
i've been to all of these, and worked with students all all except goucher. personal experience with them tells me that Wash U and Brandeis build great experiences for their students. Emory is the storybook school, but can sometimes be tough to take if you can't afford the lifestyle. i know weather has been mentioned before, but i can't emphasize enough how strong an impact the cold [or the constant warm] can have on student life / mental health.
conn college treats their student athletes really well - had a friend who got injured and was treated like gold for all four years.
sorry for the shotgun comments... can give more specifics if you want.
posted by rubberfish at 7:51 AM on March 15, 2006
i've been to all of these, and worked with students all all except goucher. personal experience with them tells me that Wash U and Brandeis build great experiences for their students. Emory is the storybook school, but can sometimes be tough to take if you can't afford the lifestyle. i know weather has been mentioned before, but i can't emphasize enough how strong an impact the cold [or the constant warm] can have on student life / mental health.
conn college treats their student athletes really well - had a friend who got injured and was treated like gold for all four years.
sorry for the shotgun comments... can give more specifics if you want.
posted by rubberfish at 7:51 AM on March 15, 2006
I went to Brandeis University (graduated 2002), so I'll try to give you my impressions of it.
First of all, just to say off the bat, I loved it. I got an amazing education, had an awesome time and made great friends who I still live with four years later.
Educationally, I think the school can't be beat. I got a degree in Computer Science, which serves to emphasize the excellent science related aspects of the school, but I also took a wide variety of classes in other disciplines (history, English, anthropology, sociology, etc). The middle-eastern studies program at the school is also very highly regarded, if your son has any interest in that field of study.
Brandeis is a largely Jewish school, but as someone upthread mentioned, it has almost no bearing on everyday life at the school. Students get off a few days a year that they might not otherwise get and part of spring break is moved every year to coincide with Passover, but other than that, there's very little Jewish influence on student life. (Assuming, of course, that you don't mind having your school's motto be in Hebrew).
Many students and former students complain about the lack of a social life at Brandeis. Frankly, I think they're full of it. From the moment I arrived at Brandeis to commencement day I never lacked for things to do or awesome people to hang out with. Anyone who goes through 4 years at Brandeis and comes out the other side complaining about how bored they were simply wasn't trying very hard.
I'm more than happy to email with your son if he has other questions about Brandeis. Address is in the profile.
On preview: Cerebus19 is incorrect (at least these days) about the proportion of Jewish students. The administration has been working to lower the percentage and increase diversity. Currently, Brandeis has a jewish population somewhere in the 30% or 40% range.
posted by Inkoate at 7:51 AM on March 15, 2006
First of all, just to say off the bat, I loved it. I got an amazing education, had an awesome time and made great friends who I still live with four years later.
Educationally, I think the school can't be beat. I got a degree in Computer Science, which serves to emphasize the excellent science related aspects of the school, but I also took a wide variety of classes in other disciplines (history, English, anthropology, sociology, etc). The middle-eastern studies program at the school is also very highly regarded, if your son has any interest in that field of study.
Brandeis is a largely Jewish school, but as someone upthread mentioned, it has almost no bearing on everyday life at the school. Students get off a few days a year that they might not otherwise get and part of spring break is moved every year to coincide with Passover, but other than that, there's very little Jewish influence on student life. (Assuming, of course, that you don't mind having your school's motto be in Hebrew).
Many students and former students complain about the lack of a social life at Brandeis. Frankly, I think they're full of it. From the moment I arrived at Brandeis to commencement day I never lacked for things to do or awesome people to hang out with. Anyone who goes through 4 years at Brandeis and comes out the other side complaining about how bored they were simply wasn't trying very hard.
I'm more than happy to email with your son if he has other questions about Brandeis. Address is in the profile.
On preview: Cerebus19 is incorrect (at least these days) about the proportion of Jewish students. The administration has been working to lower the percentage and increase diversity. Currently, Brandeis has a jewish population somewhere in the 30% or 40% range.
posted by Inkoate at 7:51 AM on March 15, 2006
I went to Wash U. and liked it so much I dropped out!
St. Louis is a difficult city to enjoy for someone from the Northeast, especially the NYC area.
I would reccomend Wash U. if he was interested in one of their specialties....anthropology, business, maybe pre-med...
for liberal arts, IMO, not worth it.
posted by BillBishop at 8:19 AM on March 15, 2006
St. Louis is a difficult city to enjoy for someone from the Northeast, especially the NYC area.
I would reccomend Wash U. if he was interested in one of their specialties....anthropology, business, maybe pre-med...
for liberal arts, IMO, not worth it.
posted by BillBishop at 8:19 AM on March 15, 2006
WashU and Brandeis are the academic heavy hitters, followed by Emory.
Has your son rejected William and Mary yet?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:26 AM on March 15, 2006
Has your son rejected William and Mary yet?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:26 AM on March 15, 2006
My former boyfriend went to Connecticut College and I spent a lot of time there visiting.
- The artistic "extra-curriculars" seemed very strong.
- It seemed like a very cozy campus to me (I was at Brown U. up in Providence, so that's what I was comparing it to.)
- The arboretum is amazing.
- Although I didn't know anyone on any teams, I always saw people running around campus for track and cross-country.
- One of my friends there (actually the former boyfriend's current girlfriend) got a bachelors in physics and a masters in education through a 5-year program, so they have that sort of "education training" in place.
- New London is a cool little city, and from there you can take the Amtrak train north to Providence and Boston or south to NYC, Philly, and Washington D.C. You can also catch the ferry to Long Island.
- It helps to have a car so you can go into Mystic (or even downtown New London, although that's bikeable), which is fun.
posted by nekton at 8:45 AM on March 15, 2006
- The artistic "extra-curriculars" seemed very strong.
- It seemed like a very cozy campus to me (I was at Brown U. up in Providence, so that's what I was comparing it to.)
- The arboretum is amazing.
- Although I didn't know anyone on any teams, I always saw people running around campus for track and cross-country.
- One of my friends there (actually the former boyfriend's current girlfriend) got a bachelors in physics and a masters in education through a 5-year program, so they have that sort of "education training" in place.
- New London is a cool little city, and from there you can take the Amtrak train north to Providence and Boston or south to NYC, Philly, and Washington D.C. You can also catch the ferry to Long Island.
- It helps to have a car so you can go into Mystic (or even downtown New London, although that's bikeable), which is fun.
posted by nekton at 8:45 AM on March 15, 2006
These are all excellent schools, and very jewish. Which means 1.) very liberal and 2.) very hard
posted by petsounds at 10:05 AM on March 15, 2006
posted by petsounds at 10:05 AM on March 15, 2006
I went to Washington U. (graduated '91) and loved it. Absolutely adored it. The academic side of things (I was in liberal arts, btw -- English and History double major) was very challenging, but in an exciting and supportive way -- competitive without being cutthroat. I had very few TA's over the years, too (honestly, probably less than 5, and all but one were for large lecture classes) -- mostly professors, and high ranking/well-known/well-respected ones, at that. I honestly couldn't be happier with the quality of education I received.
Socially, it's good, too -- big enough that there are plenty of activities (I was mostly active in the radio station, plus various liberal/lefty political groups), small enough that you're not totally overwhelmed or lost in the crowd. St. Louis itself is a nice place to go to college, though perhaps a little on the small side if you're looking for a true city experience in terms of entertainment/nightlife/etc. Culturally and socially, it's really right on the cusp of the Midwest and the South.
posted by scody at 10:36 AM on March 15, 2006
Socially, it's good, too -- big enough that there are plenty of activities (I was mostly active in the radio station, plus various liberal/lefty political groups), small enough that you're not totally overwhelmed or lost in the crowd. St. Louis itself is a nice place to go to college, though perhaps a little on the small side if you're looking for a true city experience in terms of entertainment/nightlife/etc. Culturally and socially, it's really right on the cusp of the Midwest and the South.
posted by scody at 10:36 AM on March 15, 2006
I went to wash u, too, and had a great experience there. I managed to find a good, fun, diverse group of friends - diverse in terms of ethnicity, but also what we studied, what activities we were involved in, etc. There were tons and tons of on and off campus activities. And I never thought St. Louis was SO bad, I always found stuff to do (between university city, central west end, and the park, mostly). I mean, it's certainly no New York, but great for college kids.
Academically, I also had a great experience - one of my majors was a liberal arts major and I enjoyed it, found the profs/TAs accessible, etc. Also, for what it's worth -- back then when I told people where I was going to college, no one had ever heard of it. Now, when I tell people where I went, they seem impressed.
posted by echo0720 at 11:14 AM on March 15, 2006
Academically, I also had a great experience - one of my majors was a liberal arts major and I enjoyed it, found the profs/TAs accessible, etc. Also, for what it's worth -- back then when I told people where I was going to college, no one had ever heard of it. Now, when I tell people where I went, they seem impressed.
posted by echo0720 at 11:14 AM on March 15, 2006
TCNJ is nearly 100% white kids from jersey, not a good and diverse expierence
posted by Blandanomics at 12:48 PM on March 15, 2006
posted by Blandanomics at 12:48 PM on March 15, 2006
I'm currently a senior at Wash. U.
Cons: As at most top-tier schools, the population is drawn largely from a spoiled upper-middle class and/or genuinely rich contingent. So your son will have to be prepared to deal with a lot of shallow J.A.P. types wearing Ugg boots and short-short skirts, especially if he's interested in pursuing a liberal arts education. In addition, the administration runs things a lot like a corporation, with accompanying institutional corruption, as much as they hate to admit it. That means the University is a terrible place to go if you're interested in pursuing instrumental music or another of the underfunded disciplines, and a great place to go if you're interested in business, hard sciences, or medicine.
Pros: The cred associated with being pre-med here can't be underestimated, considering that the med school is one of the top schools in the country. The business school is up-and-coming, though the University has been criticized recently for neglecting opportunities to expand its entrepreneurial opportunities and ties. It's getting there. The art and architecture schools are highly regarded, and they've both begun expansion this year. In addition, the value of a diploma from the University has gone up even just in the four years since I was accepted - the chancellor has flat-out told reporters from Student Life, Wash. U.'s newspaper, that pretty much every student in classes below ours is smarter and more accomplished than we are. It's getting much more selective, so your son should be proud to have gotten in.
In addition, Wash. U. is going to become much more connected to the greater St. Louis area starting this fall, when the city's MetroLink extension opens up with two new stops at the north end of campus. Every student will get a free Metro pass. So that'll let you go anywhere from the airport to the Galleria (local major shopping destination) to downtown. I'm already plotting to see how I will be able to get one as an alum...
posted by limeonaire at 12:49 PM on March 15, 2006
Cons: As at most top-tier schools, the population is drawn largely from a spoiled upper-middle class and/or genuinely rich contingent. So your son will have to be prepared to deal with a lot of shallow J.A.P. types wearing Ugg boots and short-short skirts, especially if he's interested in pursuing a liberal arts education. In addition, the administration runs things a lot like a corporation, with accompanying institutional corruption, as much as they hate to admit it. That means the University is a terrible place to go if you're interested in pursuing instrumental music or another of the underfunded disciplines, and a great place to go if you're interested in business, hard sciences, or medicine.
Pros: The cred associated with being pre-med here can't be underestimated, considering that the med school is one of the top schools in the country. The business school is up-and-coming, though the University has been criticized recently for neglecting opportunities to expand its entrepreneurial opportunities and ties. It's getting there. The art and architecture schools are highly regarded, and they've both begun expansion this year. In addition, the value of a diploma from the University has gone up even just in the four years since I was accepted - the chancellor has flat-out told reporters from Student Life, Wash. U.'s newspaper, that pretty much every student in classes below ours is smarter and more accomplished than we are. It's getting much more selective, so your son should be proud to have gotten in.
In addition, Wash. U. is going to become much more connected to the greater St. Louis area starting this fall, when the city's MetroLink extension opens up with two new stops at the north end of campus. Every student will get a free Metro pass. So that'll let you go anywhere from the airport to the Galleria (local major shopping destination) to downtown. I'm already plotting to see how I will be able to get one as an alum...
posted by limeonaire at 12:49 PM on March 15, 2006
Incidentally, I would say that by far, Washington University is the best school in an overall sense on the list of places your son was accepted to. I've read pretty much every comparison or survey out there, since I work for the newspaper on campus, and yeah...if you have the means to send your son to Wash. U., and his academic interests and desired setting line up with what the University and St. Louis are best at providing, I'd say he should go there.
posted by limeonaire at 12:54 PM on March 15, 2006
posted by limeonaire at 12:54 PM on March 15, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
Had a friend go to Goucher. It's small, IIRC.
These all seem to be fine choices. It's hard to know what positive and negative to say about this list. Seems like the usual shotgun approach -- apply all over, big to small (check), east coast to um, not (check), and expensive to cheap (check).
One thing that really mattered to me about my college experience (but I knew this going in and so selected for it), was that I wanted to be in a big urban environment. You're from NYC so that might not matter to your son. But it mattered a lot to me. I wound up in Chicago and loved it. Not near Chicago mind you (the difference between Tufts and Harvard if you know Boston -- being *in* the city was important to me).
posted by zpousman at 4:13 AM on March 15, 2006