<p>Hopkins undergraduate is over rated, in a terrible part of Baltimore (not safe just off campus), and to some extent seems to be dominated by the premed/engineering component of the school. Much of it’s reputation is actually from the various professional schools. Yes, you can be involved in the professional schools to some extent but they are the reason for Hopkins, not the undergraduate. A recent visit showed a lack of interest for an accepted student by facutly advisors and professors contacted and one just plain rude admin. type. Icch!!!</p>
<p>Washington Univ. suffers from being in St. Louis (actually Clayton, a beautiful, safe suburb) and being in the Midwest. On recent visit people from the Coasts were stunned by what Wash.U. had to offer (in addition to saying some really dumb things like “I didn’t know there was anything in the Midwest”, an actual quote). In addition, the undergraduate at Wash.U. is not overshadowed by the grad/professional schools like Hopkins or for another example Univ. of Chicago. They love teaching undergraduates, promote dual majors and interdisciplinary studies, and generally are one of the better national universities currently in the USA. </p>
<p>Rice Univ. has a lot to offer and is somewhat similar to Wash.U. with a great undergraduate focus, excellent engineering, architecture, and Arts and Sciences. It also offers a city life that is reasonably safe and has a lot to offer. It is a bit of a regional school in reputation (which is silly) but this is not the case when you look at where the graduates go to work and to school after Rice as provided by the school on the website.</p>