<p>Hey guys, </p>
<p>So I got pretty shafted during the college admissions process, didn’t get into any of my top choices, but I’m still left with some pretty decent options. </p>
<p>I’m planning on going greek in college and a good social scene is incredibly important to me. I feel like UCSB will be a fine fit for me, but WashU is in another league academically. I’ve worked so hard throughout high school and want to go to a school that really reflects that fact.</p>
<p>I’m a little nervous because I don’t know much about WUSTL at all. I have no idea what the student body is like and applied because it was a top twenty school with no essay.</p>
<p>Can someone point of the pros and cons of each school? Cost is a factor, but not really an issue.</p>
<p>yeah, shafted, I know what you mean, you feel like such a victim when this happens. Only got into WashU and UCSB, I’m practically in tears for you. </p>
<p>Get a grip, man! You’re going to one of two really good colleges this fall. And one of them is in one of the great towns and settings in the world. Do you have any idea how lucky you are?</p>
<p>WashU will reward your ego for all its knuckling under to the superego. You’ll be surrounded by other intelligent kids who’ve worked real hard to get there. Unlike you, however, it seems many of them have not learned to party. The school has a rep as not the happiest or most libidinous of colleges. Greeks are 32% of the student body, but their rep is pretty tame.</p>
<p>UCSB, on the other hand, will reward your id for its knuckling under to the superego and ego. It’s a fine college, and depending on your major you may have not time for stroking your id a lot. But most likely you will find the lifestyle here more laid-back than WashU, more hedonistic, and more fun. Despite all this, or perhaps because of all this, Greeks make up only 11% of the UCSB undergrads. </p>
<p>UCSB is soCal, and WashU is midwest.</p>
<p>St. Louis is a great town to go to school in. Washington University is essentially right on the park and has the Loop district nearby with an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops where you will regularly find many Wash U. students. There may be other reasons to attend UCSB, but thinking Wash U is boring should not be one of them. St. Louis is a thriving and fun metropolis.</p>
<p><a href=“26 Reasons To Appreciate The Hidden Gem Of St. Louis | HuffPost Impact”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>Knock around- my son is a freshman an WUSTL and absolutely loves it there, as does just about everyone else he knows. There are plenty of activities to do on and off campus. The campus is very intellectual but not to the point where kids don’t know how to enjoy themselves. If you need more info from a parent’s perspective, please feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>You seem to know UCSB has a great social life, but I hope you also know it is a world class university with with many nationally top rated programs. (I don’t know your major, and for all I know, you don’t know your major… so I can’t address that.) Kids work hard. And play hard, most of them, but most know or soon learn to find a balance. Good luck with whatever you decide!</p>
<p>
Your nervousness is well founded. US News created their little system to sell magazines. A connection to actual education delivered is what they hope for, but not something they really care about. Selling magazines is their business. A moment’s reflection is all it takes most people to realize that the ranking order can’t be the same for every possible student any more than a list of favorite foods or movies is also the same for every 18-year-old kid. But you fell for the hype instead of taking the time to find out what’s right for you; I hope things work out well.</p>
<p>Given that you say you are interested in the greek system, UCSB is a poor choice. UCSB is one of the few CA colleges in a small isolated area. Consequently students can easily find parties or take part is rec activities with other students without the need for something like the greek system to link them together. There are greek houses but overall it plays a minor role in the school. This may not be what you have in mind. </p>
<p>@jkiel
I know I sound spoilt and terrible. I absolutely understand that both these schools are world class. It just hurts that I didn’t get into the my top choices while so many others did. I was (and still am) a little bitter. I think I’ll end up choosing WashU. It might be time to grow up and choose the better education over more partying.</p>
<p>Actually, I saw a list of colleges with the happiest students… and WUSTL was on it. If you are from California, the weather and culture of St. Louis might take some getting used to but the WUSTL students are top notch and are from all over the country.</p>
<p>Be happy at whichever you choose. They are both good choices.</p>