<p>Everyone says they love WashU so much, but what exactly do you love about it?</p>
<p>There are a lot of threads very similar to this, but it does get asked often, so I will summarize prior posts from me.</p>
<ol>
<li> A good balance between a research university and a teaching college</li>
<li> Beautiful, contiguous campus with accessible housing</li>
<li> Diverse, intellectual student body</li>
<li> Collegial, cooperative feel to the student body, less competitive than other presitgous schools (my perception)</li>
<li> Forest Park! Free museums, trails, golf courses (not free), meadows, festivals, zoo...</li>
<li> Train to city and airport</li>
</ol>
<p>Speaking for my daughter and those of her friends whose opinions I've heard, one of the strengths of WashU is the sense of warm community among students. I think the desire to perpetuate this is what's really behind the much-discussed perception that the Admissions Office values "expressed interest" so much. Kids who really want to attend WashU tend to be kids who are really happy to be there once they become students there, and this enthusiasm is a hallmark of what makes WashU such a wonderful school for undergraduates.</p>
<p>I love WUSTL for its academic strengths and warm, supportive community. Professors are extremely accessible and, from what I know, more than willing to help out and get to know their students. Majors and minors are also very flexible - you can study just about anything you want, in just about any combination. Students can take classes in any of the undergraduate schools; so I really like that although I'm an Arts and Sciences student, I actually have 5 or so schools' worth of courses which I can enroll in out of pure interest. Academic support and resources are also excellent and extensive. This school reaches out in so many ways to create an enriching learning environment for students.</p>
<p>From what I've seen, Wash U. is one of the most student-oriented schools I've ever seen.</p>
<p>Everything centers around, decisions are made to enhance the student - in terms of education, professors, dorms, even comfort.</p>
<p>It is the opposite of the puritanical, "must suffer for enrichment" mentality of some schools in the Northeast. There is not a feeling that the students are so lucky to be at Wash U, that it's enough that they'll get a diploma at the end with the school's name on it.</p>
<p>I suppose Wash U. will always have an Avis mentality. I think they try harder.</p>