<p>In terms of ranking, they’re both tied. For anyone that has some knowledge of both schools. how would you say they compare (socially, campus-wise, etc). What makes each one unique? Since they often have overlapping applicants, what sets one apart from the other?</p>
<p>Two main differences.</p>
<p>FIRST is pretty straightforward. In academics it mostly comes down to a discussion of specialty areas: </p>
<p>a) Highly regarded specialty programs in Journalism, Music, Education, Communications at Northwestern are not available at Wash U. </p>
<p>b) Lots of undergrad business majors at Olin - Wash U. At Northwestern, only business major offered is SESP’s Learning and Organizational Change progam. The Business Institutions minor in WCAS is much more (and very) popular. The prestigious but competitive certificate programs in finance or marketing are available via WCAS, Medill and McCormick. </p>
<p>c) While Engineering is certainly a big part of both schools, I’d add it in a comparison discussion simply because quality is very measurably different. Outside of bioeng, Wash U’s programs are simply not nearly at the same level as NUs. Wash U has lots of ongoing problems in this arena with recently dropped programs and active re-organization/turnover at SEAS.</p>
<p>d) Outside of most specialty areas, while one could talk forever about the relative merits of one arts and science department v. the other at the two, I personally doubt that the differences at the undergrad level are really meaningful. Both will offer strong english, history, poli sci, psychology, bio, chem, etc. Sure, for theater, dance, art history I’d argue the nod goes to NU, but for the bulk of majors one would be arguing pretty fine disparities in quality.</p>
<p>SECOND is what I’d call the cozy-opportunity trade-off:</p>
<p>I’d argue Wash U both for high schoolers visiting and freshman getting started, feels more cozy, safe, and self contained. Northwestern is and feels bigger. While this sometimes makes for a less personal connection initially, it also makes for an incredible diversity of expanding opportunities as one moves through 4 years of school (i.e. “the cozy-opportunity trade-off”). Downtown Evanston, adjoining the campus, services more than 80,000 people and functions as a small city. Chicago offers incredible opportunities just a few El stops away. Put these together with a lakeside campus and Big Ten sports and they combine to produce four years of social experiences and options few other schools can match.</p>
<p>NU is better known internationally.</p>
<p>Two of my absolutely favorite schools. They are both fantastic.</p>
<p>On academics, both are superb, but you have probably noted that NU has a higher USNWR “peer assessment” rating, which I understand to mean that it is somewhat more highly regarded by academics from other schools; in fact, NU seems to be in a peer group with Brown and Dartmouth, for example, while Wash U is just a little bit lower. However, from the students’ perspective, I doubt that you would hear much leading you to believe that one is better than the other. I believe, however, that Wash U has a free tutoring program, so that they make it almost impossible for kids to drown in a course for want of a lifeline. I don’t think NU has such a thing. Simply put, on academics it is a no lose situation; they are both first tier. </p>
<p>In terms of atmosphere, I think Wash U is a little bit “cozier,” and most of its architecture is more striking (if you like the style of architecture). Also, its dorms are generally much nicer than NU’s. As you might have read, Princeton Review gives Wash U top marks for overall quality of life. NU is more exciting, it has more going on on campus each week, is in a much better suburb and is at the doorstep of a much more interesting city. Plus, it’s got the excitement of the Big 10 athletics (even though NU is rarely a contender versus the bigger schools in the conference).</p>
<p>I would be thrilled to have a kid at either school (I do have a kid at one of them)!</p>
<p>For those going into business, in terms of top recruiting in finance and consulting Northwestern has a meaningful advantage.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help. I love both these schools, but I am planning to do biology. While I know quite a bit about the WashU Bio program, I admit I know very little about NU’s.</p>
<p>Northwestern, for these reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Educational diversity</li>
<li>Alumni</li>
<li>Name recognition (not being a cynic or anything, but NU really has the lead here)</li>
<li>Amazing comm., economics, and music programs (if you’re studying those areas, easy win to NU)</li>
</ol>
<p>what about engineering?
i want to be an engineer but am not sure which school’s department is superior!</p>
<p>Engineering at NU is DEFINITELY stronger than WashU’s.</p>
<p>I am very familiar with both schools: I received my Ph.D. degree from Northwestern and am currently living near WashU. In my opinion, WCASParent has hit the nail on the head. </p>
<p>As for economics, Northwestern has a long tradition of excellence. However, WashU has recruited several top-notch economists for the past several years to build a solid econ program. If there is any weakness in WashU’s academics, I would have to say it is engineering, except their bioengineering program. In my opinion, Northwestern’s engineering is several notches above WashU’s engineering.</p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>
<p>I was so torn between these two schools too! But i ended up choosing NU for various reasons.
Well I think location-wise NU beats WashU since it’s right next to Chicago plus Evanston itself has many great restaurants and hangout places.
Food and dorm wise, i’d go for WashU, cuz i do think NU’s dorms are pretty crappy. WashU is known to offer good quality of life for students.
I think ultimately it comes down to what you want to study</p>
<p>TheMann66-
Two thoughts about engineering: First, if you just want to know which school is considered to be better for engineering, that is easy - as 153fish says, NU has WashU solidly beat, with the possible exception of BioEng. Second, and this is an “on the other hand” thought, college should be about the total experience, not just which school has a better reputation in a particular field of academia, so there’s a lot to be said about just picking the school where you think you’d have the best and most enjoyable overall experiece, so that the prestige or quality of a given academic area is just one factor.</p>
<p>Right now I seem to be leaning a little more to WashU (since I got in), but I want to see NU in person before I can really make a decision.</p>
<p>I agree with kROCK91… I am now inclined to prefer WashU now… but wait till I get accepted/rejected from NU :P</p>
<p>Although both schools are very good academically, you also have the consider the areas around the schools.
-St. Louis is a pretty depressing city IMO (i live about an hour away). There is not much excitement in STL, and it was recently ranked #1 for crime in the nation.
-Evanston (I was born a couple blocks from NU) is a beautiful town full of kind people. The town also borders the exciting city of Chicago and Lake Michigan.</p>
<p>TheMan66,</p>
<p>Academically, if there’s any noticeable difference, it’d be found in engineering. WashU’s engineering was a mess not long ago and wasn’t considered anywhere near the top before that. Perhaps things have gotten better now. But in engineering, it’s hands down Northwestern, whose departments are all in the top-30 (2 are ranked in the top-5 nationally). Also, Northwestern has a unique engineering curriculum that allows freshmen to get exposed to real engineering projects for real world clients. Pedagogically, NU’s program may be the best in the nation.</p>
<p>I think MIT has the best engineering program. But when comparing the engineering programs of NU and WUSTL, NU does have the upper hand (tehe, I made a funny. Sam Lee, you said “it’s hands down…”).</p>
<p>ImReachingForIt- St. Louis is bad, but Forest Park is pretty spectacular. You’d never realize it was St. Louis.</p>