<p>There is a reason U of C makes its EA non-binding - to allows students like you to make the most informed decision possible. From an academic standpoint Northwestern in general is about its great grad schools. It does provide more of the “big ollege” experience than U of C. The joke about U of C was (is) that the most popular place on campus on a Saturday night is the Reg (library). U of C thrives on this quirkiness, but it is not for everyone. My impression of Wash U. is that it is much closer to U of C than Northwestern. So take advantage of what you have been given and apply to the other schools. You would not have asked the question without a nagging bit of interest in the other schools.</p>