<p>Merit plus financial aid approximately the same at GW and Richmond. Accepted in Honors Program at LaSalle with full tuition scholarship. It will cost approximately $75,000 (over 4 years) to attend either GW or Richmond. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Three very different schools. Academically, GW and Richmond are clearly superior to LaSalle–but $75,000 is a very significant difference which may make the difference moot. </p>
<p>LaSalle is a regional, master’s level university. As a Christian Brothers institution, a large percentage of its students are Roman Catholic. The vast majority of students come from middle class backgrounds. There is a fairly large minority community on campus. LaSalle’s students average grades and SATs will be considerably below GW’s and Richmond’s numbers. But the faculty is decent and you certainly can get a good education there. Philly is a great city, but LaSalle is not in the best part. It is located just off Broad St–which goes through some of the worst parts of the city. On the plus side, it’s location is safer than that of Temple U–which is south of LaSalle on Broad St.</p>
<p>GWU is a second tier, national research university. It has some very strong programs (Political science, international studies, law,), some good ones (medicine) and some mediocre programs. Its campus is very urban, but in a great part (Foggy Bottom) of a great city. It is only a short walk to the White House–something not many schools can say. While not a highly academic place for the most part–many of students are reasonably bright. GW is also one of the most expensive schools in the country–and because it is a tuition-dependent school, financial aid is limited. Student’s getting large amounts of aid tend to be very bright. Students paying full freight vary from very bright to not so bright. It attracts many relatively wealthy students, particularly compared to LaSalle. It is unquestionably a better school than LaSalle–it has many excellent faculty members attracted to the DC location–but I wouldn’t go $75,000 in debt over the difference. </p>
<p>Richmond is somewhere between a Liberal Arts College and a master’s level university. It has a law school (not well known outside of Virginia) and some graduate programs but is principally an undergraduate institution. It is a relatively wealthy place–beautiful campus and many “beautiful” people. It is very much a southern school–who your family is and their social status is very important there. Academically, it is reasonably strong and getting better. It is probably on a par or close to it with GW at the undergraduate level, although nowhere near GW at the graduate level. </p>
<p>If money were no issue, I’d rank GW #1, Richmond #2, LaSalle #3. But the culture and feel of the three places is very different, so any ranking is very subjective. A devout Catholic might well prefer the atmosphere of LaSalle and would probably be turned off by Richmond. If it were me, I might be willing to go into hoc for an Ivy or other top ranked place, but probably not for GW or Richmond. If I were in your shoes, I’d go to LaSalle.</p>
<p>Bonanza - thanks for your help. I’d probably agree with your rankings. I also have to factor in the acceptance to LaSalle’s Honor Program. Class size of 15 for the Freshman Triple and each Wednesday some time of class trip or event. As a parent, I like the “supervision” in place for the freshman year. Visiting Richmond this weekend for accepted student’s day. Have already visited GW - no campus - but liked area. Have older child in American. We’ll see.</p>
<p>A sibling received the full tuition Christian Brothers schol from LaSalle (more than 30 yrs ago!) and went on to become a Fulbright scholar and a lawyer.<br>
Also know a guy who grew up in a rowhouse neighborhood in Phila and went to LaSalle who now owns a global financial services company.</p>
<p>So, a motivated student can do very well for themselves w/ a LaSalle education.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks Irishbird - That’s the scholarship that my son received and he is probably leaning toward accepting it as the award is a tremendous honor. We’re just concerned that LaSalle isn’t “rated” as high as the other schools. But the more we read about the ratings, the less importance is being placed on them.</p>
<p>Not sure I agree with all that is said about U of R. First, I live in Richmond and drive past the university every day. It is beautiful. It is located in a beautiful part of the city and it is highly respected. While it is a southern school in charm and location – the bulk of the students attending are from the North. When you come for a visit, look at the license plates. Second, the wealth component is there, but from my understanding, it is not old southern money, it is more northeastern money. The school is academically strong as are the athlectic opportunties. I have been to GW (have gotten off at the Foggy Bottom metro stop many times to head over to Georgetown) but it is a more of an urban campus which doesn’t really compare with Richmond’s suburban campus. I don’t know much about LaSalle, but I am Catholic and can tell you that if you are concerned with Richmond being non-Catholic they do have a Campus Ministry through my Church and Mass is said every Sunday night at the Canon Chapel on campus @ 5pm.</p>
<p>It’s really going to come down to Richmond v. LaSalle. I’m especially concerned about the change in the Richmond’s grant when my other son graduates from American. Assuming our income stays the same, I suppose my payment to Richmond would increase by the amount I’m paying to American now (almost $17,000 per year) versus the full tuition to LaSalle.</p>