<p>How hard is it getting into WashU bio? I'm probably not going to pick pre-med</p>
<p>what do you mean? You don't necessarily have to declare a major when you apply, and you also don't ever have to apply for a major; you just have to fill out the paperwork eventually and make sure to meet the requirements. Being (becoming? declaring?) a bio major isn't hard, but getting good grades as a bio major will be. A large chunk of the bio kids here are also pre-med, and washu is notoriously brutal with its premeds. That said, if you like bio, go for it, because the program is great.</p>
<p>Biology at WashU is definitely a top 10 or even top 5 program. And the great thing about WashU is the undergrad research opportunities...you actually do real research here. I even remember hearing about one recent WashU undergrad became the first person ever to label pain nerve cells, and she went around the country giving talks on her research.</p>
<p>In short, WashU's bio program is amazing.</p>
<p>Yeah, I would have to agree with everyone else. For your first semester here you're not even taking bio classes....you start out on the same track as the Pre-meds, the Chem majors, probably the Physics and Engineers too, although I'm not sure---with Gen Chem 1. Allegedly it's a 'weeding out' class, but they offer plenty of help sessions, tutoring, group studying, etc.....ie. They're not 'out' to make you fail. And yes, WashU does have an awesome Bio dept.</p>