Is it true that the atmosphere is stressful?

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

<p>I've heard from some that, in general, the atmosphere is very stressful and competitive here. People here all know exactly what they are doing, and where they want to go in life. Is this true? How is the student life there?</p>

2

<p>No, it’s not significantly more stressful than any of its peer universities. And I’d say it’s one of the least competitive and most collaborative schools in the top 25 (competitive meaning cutthroat). Obviously some people know exactly what they’re doing and where they are going after college, but a large number don’t. I personally have no clue what I’ll be doing even next year…</p>

<p>Student life is what you make of it. There’s plenty of stuff to do if you go and find it. It won’t just come to you out of nowhere.</p>

3

<p>One of the main reasons I chose WashU was for its atmosphere—it easily set it apart from all other schools I visited based on its friendly, collaborative environment. In terms of competitiveness, I think the best way I’ve heard it been described as is that people are far more competitive with themselves than with others. As in, they will just push themselves to be better than what they’ve done previously rather than simply being better than everyone else around them. Of course, there will always be that one kid who will want to do anything to get ahead, but from what I’ve seen they are fewer and farther between than one would imagine at a top 25 school.</p>

4

<p>And I can’t edit the previous post because I am on my phone but I have to add that while I have definitely had a fair amount of stressful times at school, I have never at any point been truly miserable, so make of that what you will.</p>

5

<p>It’s surprising, at least to me, that you’ve heard from multiple people that Wash U is one of the more stressful stop schools. Like thentheresme, one of the top reasons that I chose Wash U is because of how every current student seems to wholeheartedly agree that Wash U’s environment is very different from most other top schools, in that the people are generally friendlier and work together rather than trying to beat out everyone else. Obviously, I’m expecting some stress, but not from the competitiveness of my peers, simply from the level of the work itself.</p>

6

<p>thanks everyone!</p>

7

<p>It’s all collaborative, but engineering at least is stressful at times with labs, etc. Probably not more than anywhere else.</p>