<p>I'm an ED admit this year (:D) and I'm going to go back to visit the school with my dad later this month (he never saw it initially). So I just have a few quick questions about what to do when I'm there.</p>
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<li><p>Visiting Classes
So I spoke to my admissions officer and she contacted someone who sent me a list of classes you can visit. I'm definitely going to one in Sam Fox, however, there's the potential I could do another one in Sam Fox or in ArtSci (I'm going to be in both school next year). Would it be worth it to try to do both? I haven't really taken art classes in high school, most of my art has been either on my own time or on the school newspaper, so I definitely want to see what the classes are going to be like next year. But I'm also really curious as to how different an English class is going to be from one in HS. Are they even that different? Would it be worth it to go to one?</p></li>
<li><p>Things to See
I've already been on the tour and to an info session and everything last time I visited in June, and we're signed up to go on another one while we're there. But is there anything not on the tour I should check out? I haven't been to the Loop yet, so I think we might go there for dinner. But is there anything on campus/just around campus that we should check out? </p></li>
<li><p>Dorms
And the kind of associated but kind of random question. I know housing apps aren't up just yet, but I've been thinking about them and I'd love to hear from a current student. I like the idea of a suite, having roomed in everything from doubles to quads during summer programs, and generally found that larger groups suited me better. I also like the idea of a shared bathroom, obviously (I'm a girl). But from what everyone seems to say, traditional dorms are a lot more fun and social. Is there really a big difference between the two? Is one option generally considered "better"?</p></li>
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<p>Thanks so much guys! I'm pretty much counting down the days until August!</p>
<p>*and sorry for misspelling "things" in the title! I hate when that happens, and CC won't let you change it....</p>
<p>Hi there! First off, congratulations on being accepted!</p>
<p>Second off, if you didn’t stay with a student overnight last time, call and set up an overnight for this visit. You’ll get matched up with a freshman who has a major that is similar to the interests that you stated on the pre-application supplement. You might even be able request which type of dorm (traditional/modern) you stay in. </p>
<p>As for the stereotype that traditionals are more social, I would say that in general it is true. However, that doesn’t mean that modern floors cannot be social. I live in a modern currently and people visiting from other dorms are always surprised that we have people hanging out in our common room. So obviously, while it might be uncommon for a modern floor to be that social, it definitely happens. Plus, if you put on a lot of makeup or use lots of curlers or straighteners, you might really like not having to carry everything back and forth between the common bathroom and your room… So basically there are a different things to consider, but you’re likely going to have fun no matter where you end up.</p>
<p>As for sitting in on classes, if you have time I say definitely do it. It’s a great experience, and is honestly kind of fun in my opinion. Definitely talk to students while you’re here too. Everyone is really friendly if they’re not in too much of a hurry!</p>
<p>As for stuff to see, definitely go out to dinner on the loop. Good places to eat are Pi pizza, Cheesology (place that has a bunch of different types of mac and cheese), or fitz’s, which is like burgers and the like. They also serve really good root beer. Other than that, there are always things to do in St. Louis like visiting the arch, which is a lot of fun if its clear out, or going to the zoo or the city museum. </p>
<p>If I didn’t answer anything clearly, or you would like me to elaborate, just let me know.</p>
<p>I would definitely suggest checking out the 40 more. The tour generally only takes you to Lien and the Clocktower. If you haven’t already, take a walk through the Bear’s Den and check out the swamp, College hall, basketball courts, volleyball courts, hammocks, etc. I would also recommend trekking over to the Village if you have time–you won’t be living there your first year, but I personally prefer it to the 40; it’s generally quieter, with more collegiate architecture and awesome stir-fry.</p>
<p>Also, Pi, Fitz’s and Cheeseology (sp?) are great choices–I would also recommend Al-Ranoush, an excellent Middle Eastern restaurant. A lot of Wash U kids get frozen yogurt on the loop too (Does that place have a name? We’ve always just called it ‘fro yo’).</p>
<p>Have you been to Forest Park yet? It’s right across Wash U’s campus; my friends and I go there a lot to sled at art hill, run/bike/walk on the trails, study next to the fountains, check out the free museums, skate on the outdoor ice rink, etc. The Art Museum is particularly cool–it’s at the top of a giant hill with a great view.</p>
<p>Taking a walk through the library might be fun too–there are awesome chairs that can be pushed together to form a bed for a great mid-day nap, as well as a cavernous basement with moving bookshelves and quiet corners. On the upper levels are great views of Wash U–I generally use a seat cushion to sit on the window sill over looking the eastern side of campus. Another great library is the East Asian Library in January Hall–it’s pulled straight out of Harry Potter. The books are all in Chinese, Japanese, etc, but most people use it as a cool place to study.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! Even though school sucks right now, I’m pretty much getting through each day by reminding myself that come August, I’ll be at the best place on Earth.</p>
<p>I haven’t been to Forest Park yet or anything in it, although the museum that has the kid stuff in it that everyone kept mentioning when I visited sounds fantastic. I have such an inner child. And I’m definitely sitting in on at least the one class, so hopefully it will be as amazing as the course description sounds. Depending on timing I’m torn between two for my second day, hopefully I’ll get to make it to one.</p>
<p>As for where to eat, I’m pretty much up for everything, so I guess it will come down to what my dad and I are feeling like, but thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely do my best to look into everything you guys said!</p>
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<li>Dorms. I think the social aspect will depend on many factors, traditional vs modern, hallway planning (long straight halls are more conducive socially, than riot proofed ones), common rooms, and how social the people (including RAs and WUSAs) on your floor want to be with each other. There inevitably will be people who mainly hang out with people not on their floor. During our first floor meeting, someone proposed an “open door policy,” where we would keep our doors open as much as reasonably possible or desired, to promote social interaction (or, to not be antisocial), which has worked fairly well so far (my freshmen dorm is fairly sociable). Also, don’t be disappointed with your housing assignment, I feel a lot of people from my dorm shared the same disappointment back in July when we got our housing assignments, but I doubt this is still shared by anyone I know (plus we found that our location relative to food and main campus and the swamp is near ideal).</li>
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<p>Thentheresme - Did you interview? Going this Monday for D to visit again & interview…seems like everyone says adcom need to know you’re reall interested.</p>
<p>I’ll be there on Monday too! Funny how that works. </p>
<p>I interviewed on campus during my visit there in June. My interviewer wasn’t on the adcom, or a student. He was actually a member of the publicity office. But the interview was great, a really informal but intellectual chat. </p>
<p>From what I hear, showing interest helps A LOT. I mean, I did pretty much all I could to prove that WashU was my #1 choice outside of applying ED, from visiting/interviewing on campus, contacting my application processor, keeping in touch with my rep and the guy who interviewed me, etc. etc. If it’s your daughter’s #1 school, go for it. It can’t hurt her to prove how much she loves the school.</p>
<p>Showing interest can never hurt you, but don’t feel like you have to break your back in order to show interest, either. I didn’t show any interest in Wash U–I didn’t apply for scholarships, take a tour, attend an information session (or even visit the campus) before I was accepted. And I didn’t even consider myself a stellar applicant. Of all the schools I applied to, the Wash U admissions officers knew the very least about me since there was no supplemental essay. So like I said, showing interest will help but if you can’t visit campus, don’t worry.</p>