HELP NEEDED URGENTLY--WashU Nwest, UIUC

NwestvWashU · 07-07-2008, 02:43 AM

Ok, so earlier this year I got into Wash U in St. Louis, Northwestern, and UIUC Engineering. I plan on becoming an engineer for my undergraduate degree, but plan on pursuing medicine ultimately. Wash U is outstanding at premed, UIUC is outstanding ant Engineering. Northwestern is solid in both. At first I chose Nwest, but I always had my heart in Wash U. I recently opened the doors again to Wash U. I have to reply tomorrow to them. It is also important to note that UIUC is half the cost of the other schools. Nwest--$52,000, WashU--$50,000, UIUC---$25,000. I have ADD which makes the personalzation of WashU great, and U of I a difficult choice. Wash U is slightly lacking in engineering and doesn't even offer the major I want in it. However, If I am dead set on Med, I could probably find a major i like there. On the other hand I am afraid that a non technical major wouldn't cary me the way a Northwestern Engineering/Econ(double major?) would or a UIUC major would. Finally i have been told the competition for premed at WashU is greatest Northwestern a close second, and UIUC considerably less.

Some basic questions to think about are:
Is Northwestern/WashU worth the extra money if I plan on going for med school?
Is the possibility of distraction at UIUC a major factor to consider in maintaining my grades?
It seems like Northwestern has a safety net--if i end up not liking premed, I can get a marketable degree from Nwestern whereas WashU I can't--is this true?
Where should I go?

Any and all Advice is welcome. TIA!

frutiaspice · 07-07-2008, 03:45 AM

Hmmm, considering that WashU doesn't even offer your major I wouldn't go there, even if their med is top notch. Northwestern has a solid premed advising program (most likely better than UIUC's...check percent of students getting into med school for each school). I personally think you should go with Northwestern.

However, before you make the choice, see if WashU allows you to create your own major (some schools allow that) and if yes, then go with WashU.

bclintonk · 07-07-2008, 01:40 PM

Ordinarily I'd say go with your heart, but if Wash U doesn't even have your major it seems like a bad fit. If you want an undergrad engineering degree it's hard to beat UIUC, and with in-state tuition it's one of the greatest bargains in all of academia. Just work hard, do well, and you'll have no trouble getting into med school with a degree from UIUC. But I'm not in a position to evaluate the ADD issue.

Alexandre · 07-07-2008, 01:47 PM

Medical schools will not differentiate between a UIUC student and a WashU or NU student. And since medical school is EXTREMELY expensive, I would recommend UIUC. And since WashU is not that good in Engineering, if you do decide to go for one of the two privates, I would recommend NU. I am not sure how to address your condition (ADD). I have ADD myself and attending a large public wasn't an issue for me...I just had to work harder than most.

rjkofnovi · 07-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Definitely save your money and go to UIUC. You'll appreciate owing less going into medical school and the engineering programs at Illinois are about as good as they come. I suggest you let any school you attend know that you have ADD. They will make suggestions that will try to help you out. My nephew, who is ADHD, is attending a fairly large state school and they have made concessions to him that they normally wouldn't do for other students.

noobcake · 07-07-2008, 02:53 PM

WashU has a good medical school, which has nothing to do with undergraduate premed. It would be foolish to argue that a good medical school makes the undergraduate premed experience better. Imo, there is little difference between premed at top private schools.

Is Northwestern/WashU worth the extra money if I plan on going for med school?
No, imo
Is the possibility of distraction at UIUC a major factor to consider in maintaining my grades?
There is a possibility for anything to happen; I wouldn't worry about it.
It seems like Northwestern has a safety net--if i end up not liking premed, I can get a marketable degree from Nwestern whereas WashU I can't--is this true?
No, but NU is much more prestigious/recruited compared to WashU.
Where should I go?
Imo, NU or UIUC

Phead128 · 07-07-2008, 02:53 PM

I would go inbetween since Northwestern seems to offer the best of both worlds.... solid premed program and Very solid engineering program.

I would recommend Northwestern. If you are ultimately going to medical school though, UIUC has an EXCELLENT engineering program, you save a bunch of money too.

NU or UIUC

barrons · 07-08-2008, 01:33 PM

Wash U's engineering school is in turmoil. The last dean wanted to closedown several weak depts and was recently let go. Stay away at those prices. NU and UI are both solid.

NwestvWashU · 07-09-2009, 12:31 PM

Its been about a year since this post i made. I ended up choosing UIUC, and i absolutely love it there. I joined a fraternity, met so many great people, and along the way even did reasonably well academically. Thanks for everything.

On another note, I was curious to know what people thought about the prestige of a certain school in a particular university and that of the university itself. i/e even though uiuc has a better engineering school than NU, what carries more weight, the prestige of NU as a university of the Engineering program at a UIUC.

sang54 · 07-09-2009, 04:18 PM

In engineering, I'd say UI carries more weight, but on general, NW has a lot more prestige outside engineering.

NwestvWashU · 07-14-2009, 03:53 PM

employers would know the value of a degree from UIUC, whereas everyone knows the prestige of Northwestern in general. I know im going to go to grad school. Tha being said is it not true that where you get your graduate degree is much more important than your undergrad?