<p>I cannot comment directly on Wash U, but we all know it is an excellent school. That said, in the sciences, one of Chicago’s strengths is the opportunities for undergrad lab experience and research. Because the med school and hospital are right next door, there are plenty of lab jobs, plenty of labs to get volunteer bench experience, and even a few opportunities for first years to get paid for doing bench work. My D is doing that now.</p>
<p>One other neat thing is early opportunity to mix with grad students. For instance, she’s taking a course this spring that is a seminar like course (reading and reviewing the assigned research literature - journal club) with both first years and grad students. A very interesting mix. A lotta schools advertise seminars for first years. Not many mix those seminars with grad students.</p>