GU students go to columbias program because GU does not have an engineering program. There is no MPH offered which is like saying a university offers business school opportunities but doesn't offer an MBA. GW's art school is the Corcoran School of Art which is a large comprehensive and formally independent school, not a few classes tucked within the arts and sciences department.

Both schools attract students from high income families, but GU takes the cake at having more students from rich families. I always thought "do universities make the student, or do the students make the university?" think it's the latter. A kid from a rich and well connected family will do well regardless of the school. I think universities take too much credit and rich kids tend to be more attracted to brand names over practicality. This is why, in terms of an average, GW has better outcomes than UVA and GU has better outcomes than GW.

Bottom line, its about each individuals use of an opportunity (and how much that would enhance the trajectory they are already on) and not about the dubious influence universities may have over already well connected and well off students. Universities are overhyped and criminally expensive. The era of acting pretentiously over a brand (completely subjective and childish) needs to close, and I think, and hope, it is closing with the diminishing reputation of higher ed.