A Parent's report from visiting

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>We just returned from visiting WUSTL for the first time. I was very impressed with the school.</p>

<p>I'm writing about this from the perspective of someone who has spent her career in academia. This school seems to do its utmost to ensure the success of its students. The advising system is very strong. Students can have multiple faculty advisors if they have a combination of majors/ minor's/ pre-professional tracks. And importantly, all faculty who act as advisors have chosen to do so; it is not mandatory. This makes a huge difference, because you don't have faculty members who are reluctant to do this but are forced to as part of their job, as happens at some schools.</p>

<p>The students seem a very engaged group of kids. Everyone we talked to was enthusiastic about the school. We met kids from all over the country. They were very welcoming. At lunch in the dining hall, we were sitting near several tables of students who were actively discussing topics from the courses they were taking, and seemed to have a lot of fun doing it. </p>

<p>The classrooms are attractive and contain the latest technology. I sat in on a lecture class and the students were clearly paying attention (there was no Facebooking on laptops while the professor couldn't see). </p>

<p>The school is investing a lot of resources in expansion of buildings and programs. For example, they are building a new engineering quad, and another building with classrooms just opened this year. Interestingly, the new buildings blend in so well with the old that I wouldn't have known that this building was new if the tour guide hadn't mentioned it.</p>

<p>Everything is well maintained. The campus is beautiful and there are large green areas for hanging out during nice weather. </p>

<p>My son hasn't made his final decision yet (he's a last minute kind of kid), but he is leaning heavily towards WashU and I think he will have a terrific experience, both academically and socially, here. His little brother's favorite part of the school was the gigantic staircase leading up to the admissions building.</p>

2

<p>We visited WashU last week and I had much the same impression. My S was deciding between WashU and Oberlin and after visiting Oberlin last week (there could not be two more different schools) he decided on WashU.</p>

3

<p>final decision: WashU!</p>

4

<p>Congratulations! He’ll love it!</p>

5

<p>Congratulations parents! (and of course, your kids) :)</p>

<p>DS is now finishing up his freshman year, older, wiser, and lovin’ it. It’s a wonderful place, and I’m so glad he’s there.</p>

<p>A year ago at this time I was distraught at the thought of him going so far away. But it’s truly a stellar place, and there are so many opportunities, so much encouragement, so much personal attention…it’s got all the “personal-touch” advantages of a small LAC, with all the resources of a well-endowed, large university. I can’t think of a better place for him.</p>

<p>Your kids will LOVE it.</p>