It sounds like you are leaning towards WashU. My kid got and turned down the Johnson because in the end they thought that W&L was not a good fit for them. That being said everyone associated with the program is amazing. I am really hoping that the Chancellor’s comes through for you. Pitt is a great school and the city is fun and diverse.
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This student does not owe anything to anyone. If the intent of W&L was to put the onus on students of color to “drop our ugly past” (and I don’t believe that it was), it would be even more of a reason not to go.
Here’s the deal. If your gut is telling you that it’s “off”, listen. As a parent who saved for my kids’ education, this is exactly why. I didn’t want them to have to settle (and in this case I am not talking academically) for the lower-priced option when there was a clear preference for another school. If it were all about “fun” that would be different, but you have some very specific reasons you don’t feel it is the best match for you. It’s not to say you couldn’t make the best of it, or that it’s not the right fit for lots of other students, but this is about finding the right fit for YOU with the resources you have available. There is nothing like walking onto a campus and feeling immediately accepted for who you are. Feeling like you have to prove yourself or strategize how to find your crowd just seems like it could be mentally exhausting.
I also disagree with @rar76 on the point of undergrad research. S23 is doing research that is mostly done by MA/PhD students next semester because he came in with good skills and had no problem connecting with the right people to give him a shot. While it’s easier to be seen on a smaller campus, I don’t think a small school would have devoted the resources to him because there simply isn’t as much research being done.
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Yup. And for decades what I’ve heard in corporate board rooms is that if women can’t deal with the misogyny, sexism, exclusion and sexual harassment that exists in the managerial ranks, it just proves they aren’t “tough enough” to be successful as a leader.
Sorry. A woman declining to go to an office lunch being held in a strip club (on a random Tuesday… not on personal time) has nothing to do with being tough. A woman who decides she doesn’t want to listen to demeaning questions every Monday morning from her boss about who she is or isn’t having a relationship with- and exactly what they do and where they do it-- has nothing to do with fighting the fight. And more like disgust and exhaustion.
And a student who doesn’t want to be the token, or spend four years fighting the fight-- that’s a perfectly rational decision.
OP- I am confident you will figure this out.
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Can we please stop the ridiculous narrative that only the uber wealthy pay for college? Lots and lots of parents make the decision to pay full price, let alone 50K for their kids to go to the college of their choice. The stats don’t lie at the percentage of full pay parents at private college, than factor in the high priced publics. Stop letting your own bias sway kids coming here for feedback. If the parents say they can pay $55K, it absolutely should not be the role here to tell students that only Gates would pay for WashU.
OP - it’s YOUR life and YOUR 4 year college experience. You’re not obligated to be anybody’s poster child for diversity at W&L. If it’s not a good fit, move on.
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OP - My daughter is a senior Johnson Scholar at W&L. If you have any questions about W&L I am happy to answer them, but it does not seem you find it a good fit. And your opinion is all that matters. WashU is a fantastic school. My D has visited friends there multiple times and had a blast. They are all seniors and have loved their time at WashU.
You should choose a college because it is a place you will thrive and grow and learn and its a place you want to be. Then you stand a better chance of earning high grades and meeting the goals that set you up for a career or further education. Best of luck and congratulations on your acceptances!
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This is what I love about these forums. People who have personal experience but can see that it might not be for you. I will say again while my kid did pass on W&L for a lot of the same reasons everyone I have seen here or at the school has been a class act! A professor we met at the admitted students event still emails with my kid about their studies. Good luck with your decision!!
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