Hello everyone,
I got off the waitlist from the Wake Forest University but already committed to Washington & Lee University.
Actually I am torn between the two!
Interested in Pre-Med or Pre-Law, similar net price after financial aid.
As you know, Wake Forest falls 19 spots in the US News college rankings, from 29th to 47th, and Washington & Lee University dropped 10 spots, from 11th to 21st.
I know I can’t go wrong with either one but I would love some advice.
Thank you so much.
Pre-law is not a thing. There isn’t a single class as an undergrad which is required to apply to law school. So take that out of the equation.
Did you visit? Which vibe did you prefer???
Dear Blossom
Thank you so much for your response and advice.
I visited WLU two times and it was beautiful campus, but did not visit WFU yet.
You need to visit WFU. W&L is indeed beautiful.
WFU is closer to the city (big city that is…at W&L you roll down the hill into town) - and is bigger overall.
Pre law or pre med won’t matter - which.
Rankings don’t matter - both are great names.
Your comfort - it does matter.
Best of luck.
I hope you can visit before you need to decide. They are both terrific options- it’s really just where you feel like you belong.
Good luck!
Hello, tsbna44
Thank you so much.
Does net price differ or matter?
Hello, ucbalumnus
Similar net price after financial aid.
Thank you.
@DramaMama2021 i believe has a student at W L. I’m sure she can give some excellent opinions about that school!
Thank you so much.
Yes, my D is a junior premed (chem major) at W&L. I’m happy to answer questions if you have any.
She also considered Wake but ultimately didn’t apply for the silly reason that too many kids from her high school were there.
Our impressions were that the schools were similar in many ways… both strong academically with excellent supports and resources. They both have a somewhat work hard play hard reputation, although my D felt the W&L student body had a less intense and competitive vibe than Wake.
Where I think they are most different are size and location. Do you prefer small or mid size? Do you prefer a rural or suburban location?
I believe you’ll be able to decide fairly easily if you can visit Wake.
Congratulations 
!
Dear DramaMama2021
I really appreciate your response.
Thank you so much again.
If you would like to view an especially favorable national ranking for W&L, then this WalletHub site may be of interest:
Unfortunately, Wake Forest was not included in the analysis.
DS graduated from WFU Monday; DD graduated three years ago as did her boyfriend who graduated from Wake law last Friday. Both are great universities with law schools. I agree with @DramaMama2021 that you should visit WFU if you can even though classes will be out of session. You have two great options and can’t go wrong with either academically.
Thank you, Merc81
Thank you, but I am not sure I can visit there in 3 days.
Ok, understand. Here goes:
Wake is like an oversized LAC in its approach to education. Small class size, student focused (as opposed to research) professors, and strong preprofessional vibe are some notable aspects. Academics are rigorous in most departments. It is a work hard, play hard school and ACC sports are a big deal. Grading is tough, but fair. Greek life is fairly big, but less so than W&L with roughly 35% or of men and 55% of women involved. Winston-Salem is a nice small city and has really changed a lot in the seven years we have been going there. There’s a real foodie scene and lots of bars and music venues that students frequent.
I would say that the typical Wake Forest student is bright, fairly serious about academic performance, and outgoing. The student body is not very diverse but has gotten more so during our students’ tenure at the school.
The campus is absolutely beautiful, but a few minutes away from downtown WS. The school owns the adjacent Reynolda House, Gardens, and Village, and also the Graylyn Estate, which are contiguous and have walking trails connecting them.
I hope this helps.
Thank you so much.
I got several private messages about financial aid, when got off the waitlist, and how much time to decide.
Not full pay, most generous financial aids from both
I got an email, then calls today, 5/21 and should submit the reply form by Friday, 5/24
Thanks for posting this! I also got off the waitlist for Wake and am currently committed to W&L. I am planning to major in Economics for both schools on the Pre-Law track. If I could add a question to help myself decide, are both schools similarly comparable? I got better aid from W&L and Wake Forest is slightly more expensive to attend so should I go with the more affordable option? I also got into a summer program at W&L so I don’t know if it would be inconvenient if I withdrew.