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Wash U like several other private schools (Emory, USC, etc.) are highly overrated. These schools have only gained their popularity because the top notch state institutions like UVA, Michigan, UC, North Carolina have become increasingly difficult to gain admission to this past decade. What has happened is the very qualified, but not admissiable students who do not get into say the UVA's, look elsewhere and the private schools like the Wash U's are a logical choice. A couple of decades ago, a heartbeat and a checkbook was all it took to gain admission to USC. Now it's a hot ticket. As the tidal wave of baby boomer children subsides, the Wash U's of the world will be fighting for students as they did in the past.

By Jfehr (Jfehr) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:05 pm: Edit

Ironically, Wash U is widely known for being UNDERRATED.

By Binks (Binks) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 12:39 am: Edit

Academically, Wash U is very underated. Their classes are just as challenging as those you would find at Ivy institutions. Their ranking in USnews however, is about right (12~15), but shouldn't go any higher. I say so because Wash U. is still only nationally acclaimed for its medical program. Until its other programs reach the same caliber, I don't think it deserve the prestige of the Ivy's or a berth in the top 10.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 11:35 am: Edit

WUST is very well thought of among academics.

Among truck drivers: "...never heard of it!"
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If you want to impress the most common people, go to Harvard: all of them have heard of Harvard.

By Jfehr (Jfehr) on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 03:37 pm: Edit

who wants to impress truck drivers!

By Sarbear (Sarbear) on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 06:51 pm: Edit

I think that was Morgantruce's point

By Abz1986 (Abz1986) on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 12:29 am: Edit

Again you guys shouldn't just choose a university just because of prestige... but if you are, the main reason to use it is to find jobs... so unless you're going to go get a job as a truck driver after graduating from WUSTL, there probably won't be a reason to impress "common people".

By Shoshie (Shoshie) on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 06:06 pm: Edit

It depends what you want to do and what you are looking for. For me, Wash U is an excellent fit. It's relatively easy to have an obscure double major (Earth and Planetary Sciences and Judaic Studies) and the Pathfinder program rocks my socks. On the Judaic Studies side, the Jewish community there is amazing. So...it really all depends what you're looking for.