<p>I was so(oooo) excited when I got my acceptance to Wash U and even more so when I got a scholarship- but then I talked to the one (read:one) student I know who attends and she HATES it. She warned me away saying there are a lot of rich kids who are very exclusive and snobby... She described it as the Duke of the North. No offense to anyone who loves Duke, but I was trying to avoid the kind of snobbery I've experienced there. Do you feel this is an accurate portraly? I visited once and loved it, but didn't get to spend the night. Worth my time to give up my spring break and visit? Thanks so much for any help!</p>
<p>I'm not a WashU student, but I've visited, spoken with students, and know three current students, and I disagree. There's always an element of snobbiness at upper-tier schools (probably more the higher you go) since the kids that go there tend to have a little more money (with many wonderful exceptions). I doubt severely though that WashU is any snobbier than any other comparable schools, and I might even argue that it is less so. I've never heard the name "Duke of the North", either.</p>
<p>Ich103</p>
<p>Go visit - it is the only way to find out if you like the school and student atmosphere. After all your decision will change the next four years of your life one way or the other. Overnighting in a dorm, attending classes, spending time with students in an informal atmosphere are very important - it is the only way to see what kind of students, atmosphere and campus culture you might be spending the next four years of your life with. Four years is a long time to not be happy. Don't make your decision based on other peoples opinions - go see and experience for yourself.</p>
<p>WashU seems to have one of the happiest and most satisfied student bodies around. That does not mean that everyone is happy, but it does mean that the majority of people want to be there and are very happy with the choice that they made.</p>
<p>A visit may not allow you to make a perfect decision, but it certainly increases the odds of making a good decision. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>I abhor snobs as well. I used to go to a rich school with lots of preppy elitists....so I can see where you're coming from.</p>
<p>The other posters said it well: every upper tier school will have its snobs. </p>
<p>Of course you should visit...it's the only way to know for sure.</p>
<p>I was thinking...it might also have to do with what types of people you're surrounded by. I'm going to be getting a triple in the traditional buildings, so I'll probably be surrounded by other middle class people....</p>
<p>Hi!
D is a freshman this year. She was just home for Spring Break and I asked her if this year had been what she hoped for. Said simply, "It's better than I hoped for." (She was sold on WashU from the moment she walked on campus for a visit. The great BME program helped too.)</p>
<p>She's being challanged academically and is loving it - OK love MIGHT be a little strong for Physics, but.... She went from never having to study in HS to being in 3 different student study groups. The kids she has surrounded herself with are supportive and in the same occassionally overwhelmed state she is in and they're great! </p>
<p>The head of her major dept. knows her by her first name. Faculty is involved and genuinely seem to care that the students chose to be there. When we were talking recently I thought she was referring to a friend by her first name, turns out the person was an assistant dean!</p>
<p>If she brings up a book she's read chances are SOMEONE sitting in the dorm hallway at midnight can talk about it intelligently! She loves that! Chances are just as great that they will have an indoor snowball fight, too, if given half a chance! </p>
<p>No place is perfect. I'm sure she has run into rude self-absorbed students. The thing is, this is not HS. EVERYBODY CHEER!! You are going to meet so many types of people. YOU GET TO CHOOSE who and what is important to you, who to surround yourself with and how you are going to let people concerned with only their little world affect you. </p>
<p>There are a lot of kids at WashU whose families have money. D's roommate just might top the list. We are a middle class family. Several of her friends are major scholarship receipients. Except for her roommate I don't think D has any idea who in her group comes from money - if any do. They don't talk about it. </p>
<p>Obviously, I'm biased. I've seen my D thrive. LCH103, you loved WashU when you visited, right? Unless you and the unhappy student you know have a lot in common, relate on a lot of things that are important to you,you should just trust the feeling you got when you visited and again when you were accepted. Good Luck!</p>
<p>There's a good article about the sterotypes of Wash U students in today's issue of Student Life (the campus newspaper) - <a href="http://www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2006/03/29/Forum/Break.The.Stereotypes-1763104.shtml?norewrite200603292010&sourcedomain=www.studlife.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2006/03/29/Forum/Break.The.Stereotypes-1763104.shtml?norewrite200603292010&sourcedomain=www.studlife.com</a> . I can tell you that there really isn't an issue with wealthy, snobby students here. Sure, they do exist, but they exist everywhere. I have friends here whose parents make insane amounts of money each year, and I also have friends who are here on full scholarships, and wouldn't be here otherwise. Can I tell the difference? No. If you're doubting Wash U, just come and visit. So many people seem sold on Wash U because of the atmosphere that the students and faculty create, and I know I was. It's definitely worth coming for another visit, especially if you can stay overnight in one of the dorms. I didn't stay overnight at any schools when I looked, but I wish I did, as it would've made my decision much easier.</p>
<p>Well said CopterMom! Son is a sophomore and his life at Wash U just keeps getting better and better. He loves every aspect-academcs, professors, friends, how the school runs, and the location. I am afraid he is going to have a very hard time leaving Wash U once he graduates. As a parent, I am thrilled that my son is excited about his lifer at Wash U!</p>
<p>this sounds kind of like how i felt my senior year, but opposite. wash u was my dream school also and the ONE person i knew who went there was a total hippie, which i'm not. i looked through all of her photos online and i started to panic, thinking i wouldn't fit in at all.... it was stupid. when you get here, you will see that there are just soooooo many different people/groups of people that really everyone can find their niche. sure there are hippies, and super rich kids, and super poor kids, and jocks, and whatever whatever, but there are also plenty of groups made up of just plain normal nice people. and the great thing about wash u is that everyone is really genuinely nice to one another. the hippies eat lunch with the sorority girls! if anything, the social scene here should be a big POSITIVE aspect, deifnitely not negative. if you still feel torn, you should definitely come visit and see what i mean :)</p>
<p>I go to wash u. I'm a senior. I'm from a little town in Texas. It is true that there are a fair amount of 'snobbish' people at wash. u.--it's pretty much inevitable given the cost of the school and the fact that most people here are high achievers. That being said, you will find your niche. Keep in mind, it's going to take some work to meet people. But just be open and friendly and you'll have a great time. Wash U has been exceptional for me. On a academic level, I've gotten more out of it than I could have ever expected. I also have a great group of friends and plenty of time to have fun. I'm going to miss being here, and I recommend it.</p>
<p>Thank you so much to all who replied!! Your words are encouraging and helpful- I actually just returned from an overnight campus visist and found it to be as informative as promised...I'm going to Rice this weekend and then will make my decision between the two. Thanks again!</p>