Can either of you comment on the surrounding area & overall safety of the campus? Were either of your students involved in Greek life & how did they like it? How is career services/placement as it seems very good? thank you
Waldo755 may be able to comment more on career support and advisement, but from what I’ve heard the career department is amazing. Anecdotally, I’m an equity partner at an AmLaw 100 Law firm in St Louis, and we do a lot of our hiring out of WashU and have a great partnership with the school. I know that the local and regional business communities recruit heavily out of Wash U based on the partnerships it has built and, more importantly, the talent of its graduates.
As for the security, the campus itself has its own, legitimate police force. The Wash U security force are actual police officers - not just typical security guards. It is frankly one of the safest college campuses in the nation. Plus, it is surrounded on one side by Forest Park (generally safe Park with tons to do), and on the other side you have the Clayton area which is one of the safest communities in St Louis.
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My student decided not to go Greek and has been very happy. He has many friends both in his friend group and out that are Greek and they have enjoyed it. Greek life has changed recently especially among the sororities. When I was there quite awhile ago, Greek life was a bigger deal. I was in a sorority and loved it. FYI, fraternities have houses/residences and the sororities have suites for their meetings.
As for safety, my student has always felt safe.
Sorry, but I cannot comment on career placement. I do know that WashU can offer opportunities for research and internships depending on the area of study.
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Thank you so much for all the suggestions. Looking forward to visit the school and St. Louis for the first time.
Thank you so much. We are looking forward to visit the school and surroundings so my daughter get a “feel” for the school and make de final decision.
My son is not in a social fraternity but is making friends well anyway. I think there are plenty of options for both.
What is the name of the Facebook group to join for admitted parents? Thank you.
Here you go:
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thank you everyone for this helpful information. Even though we plan to do the admitted student walking tour, the way it is set up it seems there will be no personal interaction with current students or anyone really. This is the major problem with trying to pick a college during covid - just so hard to get a feel for the vibe of campus/fellow students. Doing the zoom sessions just are not enough as they all seem the same really -regardless of the school. Just wondering if you could elaborate on how you feel greek life has changed among the sororities? Has it been in a negative way - or just not as involved?
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Other possibilities are Macalester, Case Western, Colorado College, Brandeis, Lewis and Clark, UC Irvine, Cal Poly
No question WashU!
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Just took the walking tour. It is set up very well - you will have chances to talk at length with current students. They have students posted at the start of the tour - and back by the dorm area where they have the “mock” dorm set up. Everyone was super helpful and will answer any questions you have.
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Thank you for the update. Were your impressions positive? They have been great with communication. Were you able to speak to students only - or were you able to speak with others in admissions/housing/student services ect?
My daughter and I took the tour yesterday, and as @Badger7272 stated, they had students at the start of the tour and back before you enter the dorm to see the mock room. My daughter also saw four students lounging at a table outside as we waited to see the mock room, and she struck up a conversation with them and asked a few questions. During check-in and check-out, there were several admissions folks as well if you had any questions. Everyone was very friendly, even those who weren’t officially part of the tour. Both my daughter’s and my impressions were very positive, and I think WashU is currently her top choice.
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Thank you! We will be touring in a little over a week. Nice to hear there were people from admissions as well as students available for questions.
or you could stay in the drury inn and suites union station its literally 5 minutes away and a really nice hotel. Its not scary or anything.
Can you explain a bit more about how/in what ways it wasn’t rigorous enough?
It’s hard to get truly detailed info from my son but my best take: much more of a pre-professional vibe than intellectual curiosity with his peers (not the profs), seen most often in class discussions, etc. which he feels is below the level of his high school (which was a rigorous well acclaimed private HS to be fair) or what he thinks happens at some of the other schools his friends attend (tb fair he could well be mistaken on those schools!). No matter how I write this, it sounds elitist - but again it’s one student’s opinion (and I always discount somewhat what an 18 yo says!),but he is thoughtful and doesn’t throw this out lightly. And it may be more specific to Olin. But he overall is happy there and very busy and engaged…and it may well be teh upper level classes that bring out the challenge he seems to feel is lacking.
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I am as well. I am very confused what this is about since I know I didn’t apply. It seems to be a select program for 90 kids.
OK, thank you. I appreciate the candor. My daughter would be in arts and sciences and truly craves deep thinking and complex discussions. Getting to the wire with decision time now, so need to find the best fit. Thanks again!
Hey there, just wanted to offer a contrasting perspective as an ArtSci alum (and another Bay Area native) – in my experience, WashU students are definitely curious and motivated by deep thinking & discussions! In my first semester, I got to join a small-group seminar on the Bill of Rights, an evening book group, and an earth science course that took us to explore nearby caves & fossils. There’s a great selection of first year seminars, plus even freshman can find spots in upper level humanities classes. As sophomores, students can apply to join fellowship cohorts in the humanities & social sciences (Kling, Mellon Mays, Civic Scholars). WU may or may not be the right fit for your daughter, but I just wanted to reassure you that she would certainly find classmates there who are deeply engaged in and excited by learning – my college friends are people I will be close with for life, and have all turned their passions into work they find truly meaningful (law, government, medicine, teaching, advocacy, etc). The Olin business school is a strong program with great career results, but it’s a verrry different experience with different goals, so I wouldn’t weigh it too heavily if it’s not in your daughter’s plans. Best of luck and enjoy the spring!
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