Questions For Current/Past Students From A Potential Transfer Applicant

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

<p>I am currently a freshman at Case Western Reserve University, and am reviewing my options for transfer. I came up with a list of eight schools to apply to as a rising sophomore, realizing that most of them are reaches. However, I am not seeking to be chanced, as I too can read statistics and come up with the same conclusions. Instead, I have some questions, the type not normally covered in promotional materials or the school’s website. I am hoping that any current or former students can help shed some light on these matters:</p>

<p>• Is there an interdisciplinary approach taken to the social sciences? In other words, do they make an effort to connect economics, political science, sociology, and other such disciplines?
• Are the social sciences marginalized in favor of the business and engineering programs?
• How flexible is WashU with transfer credits? I assume all will transfer, but mostly as blank. Is there a limit on how many of them can count towards the major or to general education requirements?
• How frequently is the school paper published? Is it easy to become involved as a regular columnist? What is the general quality of it?
• Should there be a need, how extensive are student support (academic) resources available?
• How do the libraries rate as far as quality, volume, and diversity of collection? Is there 24/7 access during the school year? Is there anything else important about the libraries to note?
• How ubiquitous is wifi access? What is the quality/stability of the wired network in dorms and around campus?
• How easy is it to create a new club and receive funding? Are there any non-obvious restrictions that one should be abreast of?
• How are the Assembly series speakers chosen? Are there often speakers brought to campus outside of this, either by individual departments or student organizations?
• As far as television goes, I assume the rooms have basic cable. Is it possible to purchase an upgrade?
• How active is the campus Jewish community? If one looks, can they easily find other Jews?
• How does the social scene rate? I realize WashU is no party school, but is it fair to say that there are at least one or two most weekends? What else is there to do on campus? Off campus?
• How friendly is the school to transfer students? Is the transition fairly painless?
• How helpful is the school with aiding in the location of summer internships? Is there research in the social sciences available during the year? If so, how easy is it to become involved with it?
• Is partial sub-matriculation to the law school possible at some point during undergraduate studies?
• Are there any other small or obscure perks that your school offers which may not be widely known? (ex: Case Western students can access the entire O’Reilly catalogue online, and the school supposedly offers free massages to students sometime just before finals.)
• Is there anything else a potential transfer student should know before either applying or coming here?</p>

2

<p>The social sciences are not marginalized. The departments are small but are some of the best in the country.</p>

<p>Libraries good. I think all dorms have wifi, though it's not reliable in the library this year. Speakers are not as common as in a place like Georgetown, because St. Louis is out of the way. There are a lot of jews on campus. Hanukkah is a big event with the menorahs and stuff. And finally, transferring is okay because they have a dedicated orientation program just for them.</p>

<p>I don't think there's any way to get into the law school early. </p>

<p>The school paper comes out 3x a week. It's extremely easy to get involved, just go to the meetings and you will get a story.</p>

<p>VAZ</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the information Mario. Does anybody else have anything they would like to add?</p>