Random Questions about WashU

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

<p>Wow! I just heard about Wash U yesterday and I’m already in love with it from what I’ve seen on the website and read on this site, but I do have some questions.</p>

<li><p>Does anyone know if there is a significant difference in the early decision and regular decision admit rates?</p></li>
<li><p>How is the security on campus/in surrounding ares? Would you say you feel safe on and around campus?</p></li>
<li><p>What do students typically do on the weekends? Is the social atmosphere Greek-based?</p></li>
<li><p>Overall, are Wash U students open-minded and easy going? Would you say that the campus has a laid back feel? (In other words, I don’t mind the competition in the admission process, but when I get to school, I don’t want to feel like I have to compete with my peers…I just want to learn!)</p></li>
<li><p>Has anyone participated in the film program? Any insight?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks and if anyone has anything else to say about anything at Wash U please feel free to comment!!!</p>

2

<p>i can answer #1. Their ED and RD admit rates are almost identical, usually around 20%.</p>

3

<p>Noob, what is your source for an ED acceptance rate of 20%? I have looked for data on WU's ED acceptance rate, but found nothing published and was told that WU didn't release that info.</p>

4

<p>I can't answer the first question, since I applied as a transfer, and thus never looked at the data you're asking about. But I'll take a crack at the others:</p>

<p>2) Generally, it is quite safe. Certain parts of loop, if ventured into alone in the wee hours of the morning, can be somewhat unsafe. But otherwise, I think the surrounding area is alot less dangerous than at other schools in urban or semi-urban areas. </p>

<p>3) While there is a strong Greek scene, and they do help run some of the campus' more famous events, such as Thurteen, you don't need to go Greek to be involved. In fact, formal recruitment doesn't take place during the fall anyway. There are plenty of things to do, and it depends on your interests. Some clubs will meet then. Or there might be a lecture that interests you. You might have a sports game that you'll be watching or playing in. Or you might simply opt to relax in your dorm/apartment and have a beer with some friends. And before anybody gets the wrong idea about that last statement, alcohol won't be forced upon you. If you want to drink, you'll get the chance. If not, that's cool too.</p>

<p>4) It is, at least in my experience laid back. Grades/stats very rarely come up, and other than times of intense pressure (like mid-terms), there will be plenty of people up for some fun.</p>

<p>As for open minded, while there is a strong liberal political bias, all views are welcome. The best illustration of this is of a non-political variety. For example, there is a large ALA chapter, which is essentially a group for people to discuss sexual fetishes and learn safe sexual exploration practices. </p>

<p>5) I've not, so I cannot comment. I can say however that there are some impressive movies in the school collection. For instance, the library has over 50 Israeli films with subtitles. And I do know there are a few clubs related to film. But sadly, I can't shed any light on the academic program itself.</p>

5

<p>Just a few points about ED at WashU. While they don't publish their ED stats I am convinced that IF YOUR STATS ARE WITHIN WASHU'S RANGE, applying ED gives you a very strong advantage in admissions. While they don't publish their ED stats, they do state that they fill about 1/3rd of their freshman class through ED. It is highly unlikely that they can achieve this with the low RD acceptance rates. Almost all schools, with the exception of places such as Harvard with over 80% yield rates, like to "lock in" strong students who apply ED. I truly believe that if you are a qualified applicant at WashU, applying ED will significantly enhance your chances of acceptance. This is also consistent with the advice that the deans at our suburban high school give our students based on their admissions experience with WashU and other similarly ranked schools.</p>

6

<ol>
<li>i doubt it would be significant difference in the sense that if you are rather below the typical GPA/test score ranges, it would not give you a leg up. </li>
</ol>

<p>here's the way i look at it: students who have low test scores are more likely to say "yes" to a top school, because they weren't admitted to many top schools. students with the highest test scores will obviously have more options to choose from. there would be no reason why Wash U, or any ED school, would admit a kid with a 28 ACT under Early Decision (essentially lowering the standards) because chances are he/she would say "yes" to Wash U if he/she was admitted under Regular Decision.... because it's quite likely that the kid with a 28 ACT will not be getting into a school as good as, or better than, Wash U. if you have competitive grades, test scores, extracuccirulars, you'd be a viable candidate under Early Decision... but, again, it doesn't make any sense why a school would lower it's standards for Early Decision.</p>

<p>3) The greek percentage is just under 1/3... so it's more of a "presence" than anything else. i wouldn't call it overwhelming or underwhelming.</p>

<p>4) A reason why a good pecentage of people choose Wash U is because it is academically outstanding, but it is not cutthroat or competitive with one another. it's a very involved place. i guess it's probably attributed to its midwestern/laid back location. </p>

<p>5) Here's their film studies website: Film</a> and Media Studies
I know that the new student center that just got built has a state-of-the art television studio and a sound recording studio. there's also WUTV, the student run television station. At Wash U, it's not a "film school"... unlike USC or NYU which have actual film schools. Film and Media Studies is a department here, so it's less of an "institiution" and more of a major. which makes it easier to double major in other things, where you won't be concentrating all your time and effort on filmmaking. which can be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for.</p>

7

<p>It seems like a lot of people are admitted ED. Wash U seems to be very focused on their rankings and yield is an important part of that. Therefore they don't want rejection. Accepting ED students means that the rejection of those students will be zero. They are also suspected of rejecting people who they think are using the school as a safety so it's best to visit and if you love the school apply ED.</p>

<p>This doesn't mean that it isn't a great school. People are very happy there, the academics are great, it isn't cutthroat but more cooperative, etc.</p>

8

<ol>
<li><p>I don't know what the overall statistics are (and I guess they are not published), but I know that kids applying ED from our HS are accepted at 2x rate compared to RD. Some of it might be due to self-selection, but I am sure that ED helps.</p></li>
<li><p>The campus is generally safe. Wandering around alone in the middle of the night, especially off campus, is probably not a good idea. </p></li>
<li><p>Social life is not dominated by frats in any way.</p></li>
<li><p>It is a pretty laid-back and "happy" place.</p></li>
</ol>

9

<p>can you tell me which is better for international relations and middle eastern studies</p>

10

<p>I emailed the admissions office and asked them what their ED acceptance rates were and was told that they are approximately the same as their RD acceptance rate, which is 20%.</p>

11

<p>According to US News, the acceptance rate for 2007 was 17%.</p>