<p>I was wondering about the academic atmosphere at Wash U...how competitive are the students academically? I am thinking about majoring in BME and then going on to medical school, so having a high gpa is important...how tough is the grading scale? I dont expect it to be too easy but I'm also not hoping for Cornell/Chicago type rigor. Also, I was wondering about the social aspect of it: Do frats and sororities overshadow the university? If you arent in one are you sort of left out of the loop? What sort of initiation "activities" are done to new pledges? Thanks.</p>
<p>Well from what I know, WashU isn't cutthroat and competitive where students try to out do each other. Instead, the students generally help each other out and are invested in seeing each other succeed. However, I have heard it does get a bit cutthroat (not too bad) for pre-med and possibly BME.</p>
<p>Frats/Sors don't overshadow the univ. @ all. Greek life isn't the driving force behind the social scene. People join them, but if you don't its not a big deal. You'll have just as much fun in one or not in one. The same thing with sports, you don't have to be a jock in order to be popular and have fun.</p>
<p>everytime i've visited i've gotten the sense that everyone at washu is smart but no cutthroat competitive and willing to help each other. the classes are tough and i've also heard that one thing people have to get used to is not always getting an A in a class but also that there is plenty of help available if you need it for a class.</p>
<p>also the frats are part of campus but you don't have to be a part of them in order to have friends. i have a friend who pleged in january and when i talked to her about it she was completly glad she'd done it and totally excited so although i don't know exactly what she went through she ended up happy in the end.</p>
<p>the atmosphere is almost exactly how jeffwun and amu described it... frats/sororities aren't a huge deal, and it's difficult, but not cutthroat. I'd say if you're looking for a high gpa though, BME isn't necessarily the best major... while it's not impossible to get A's, there's a good amount of work involved, especially to be top of the class. with that said, if it's something you'd enjoy, go for it - better to work harder at a major you like than be in bio like everyone else and be bored.</p>