Wow - amazing your list could include three insanely different options like these.
What is your outcome - i.e. do you want to work? If so, in Chinese, go to the campus you want!!
As for leaving the MW, where you go to school will not define where you end up. I live in TN - and have been in CT, CA, and now TN .
You clearly want Bates - and I would argue that Bates has just as big a name as WUSTL nationally. WUSTL is a great school but like a Rice or Emory it’s not universally known - like a Vandy or a Duke. Bates is very well known.
It’s clearly your top choice - and you have to be there four years day after day after day - and that’s where you should be.
You just need to read your chance me to know this.
You may check with each school though for language flexibility since you want two.
UW by the way - fine school - but do you really think 99% of the world thinks it’s any different than Nebraska, TN, Oklahoma, WVU or Colorado??
They don’t…
Again, you have to be there day after day - for four years.
Bates is a fantastic name, fantastic school, and you were giddy in your description - so that’s where you should be.
btw - TAs - you know many of them are better teachers than Profs…but at a Bates, you’re more likely to have strong profs.
Good luck…but honestly, easy decision based on your writing.
It amazes me that people choose schools to apply to but then dismiss them. Bates needs no dismissal - big time name.