<p>I've heard from some people that St. Louis doesn't have much going on...
Is it really that boring?</p>
<p>What's the campus like?
If the campus is really interesting, I guess it would matter less that St. Louis is intersting (if in fact it is).</p>
<p>Specific descriptions of both would be nice, as I'm seriously considering this school.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I'd like to know too. I've heard that St. Louis doesn't really compare to places like Boston, NYC, Ann Arbor, etc, but that there's still LOTS to do on and off campus.</p>
<p>I guess the best way to find out is to go visit! :)</p>
<p>Of course St louis can't compare to Boston or New York City, but I think it is better than Ann Arbor, Michigan</p>
<p>It may not compare to Ann Arbor, but Detroit is a short drive from there.</p>
<p>St. Louis not compare to Ann Arbor?</p>
<p>I'm assuming that was sarcasm...</p>
<p>I actually meant to say that Ann Arbor may not compare to St. Louis.</p>
<p>How interesting StL is to you depends on what you're interested in. I grew up there, went to WashU, and a year ago moved to Boston for grad school. It's definitely smaller than NYC, Chicago, etc, so that alone sets it back... but I really never got that bored. It also depends on where you're from... if you're used to NYC, its quite a jump. I thought that Boston would be more interesting/exciting... but there are things from StL that Boston is definitely lacking, that I miss a lot.</p>
<p>Freshman year most students hang out on campus and at school activities on the weekends (there's tons going on), and in the neighborhoods that you can walk to. By sophomore year students can have cars, so you can explore more of the city. A few of my friends got bored with StL by the end of the 4 years, but still enjoyed the city. One plus is that Forest Park borders WashU... which has the zoo, science center, art museum, the muny (outdoor theater), golf, etc. StL has pretty much everything offered by big cities... sports, cultural events (theaters, symphony, etc), plenty of bars/clubs (even casinos!), fun restaurants, etc. Downtown isn't as exciting as many cities, but there are definitely some popular areas, and there are some new up and coming neighborhoods. </p>
<p>Any particular interests you have, or things you're looking for in a city? I'd be glad to give more info...</p>
<p>I'm from boston, but I have to say that on the whole I prefer St. Louis (at least for four years). There's plenty to do off campus: forest park is right next door w/free musems (FYI the park was designed by the same guy who designed central park and the chicago world's fair), a free zoo (rated #1 in country by Zagat.. pretty good restaurants, decent bars/clubs. </p>
<p>Also, let's be honest.... you're not going to have that much time anyway. You won't run out of things to do on campus or in St Louis</p>
<p>I just realized a strangely worded sentence on my post, but CC wont let me edit it! lol</p>
<p>Anyway, thank you laurezerfor the info.</p>
<p>Based on your description of St. Louis, I think you've pretty much named everything that a city can have - I know I'll enjoy the park and art museum. :) </p>
<p>Also, thanks fsb as well for the specfic stuff!</p>
<p>What kind of activities take place on campus?
Is there a movie theater near campus?
I love going to the theater to watch movies.</p>
<p>The movie theatre question is one I've wondered myself. Also, I know there are shuttles, but where do they run and what can you access by taking them. (What kinds of shops, restaurants, etc.)?</p>
<p>There are two movie theaters (the Esquire, and the Tivoli, a small independant theater) a short walk from campus, and two more on the WashU shuttle route. </p>
<p>On campus there's so much... concerts, acapella, parties, games, movie nights, sports (not as popular to watch as some other schools, but lots of IM sports to participate in)... there's lots more too, but I'm blanking at the moment :)</p>
<p>The shuttles connect different parts of campus, and bring students to the shopping areas nearby. West campus and the medical campus (along with the south 40 and main campus) are accessible with the shuttle, along with a couple neighborhoods bordering campus where many students live. The shuttles also take you to the galleria (shopping mall), a strip mall nearby (target, walmart, home depot, sams club, lowes, best buy, bed bath and beyond, etc), the local grocery stores (schnucks and dierbergs), and a couple neighboring areas with shopping/restaurants/theaters - you can get to the loop, the central west end, and clayton on the shuttle. These areas have tons of interesting restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops, small clothing stores, record stores, etc. Between the shuttle and the new metrolink extension, you can get to most places you'd need/want to go for the first couple years.</p>
<p>The Metrolink station is opening up in August (it should be fully up by then), and students will get free passes (but you have to apply for it, they won't give you one as soon as you arrive), so that will make it a lot easier to get around, especially downtown. Oh, and you won't have to shell out cab money to get to the airport either.</p>
<p>having grown up in on the west coast and attended schools in the east coast, I now make my home in st. louis as a faculty member of washu. while its not the most exciting place, it certainly has most of the amenities that you want in a city. And its easy. </p>
<p>My daughter who is trying to decide between haverford, tufts, washU and reed (waitlisted at columbia brown pomona), is desperately trying to get out of st. louis. But she feels strongly that from visiting most of these places that she will probably have the most fun on campus at WashU. There is a lot going on, there is a lot of spirit, and from my experience as a student and teacher, WashU spends an enormous amount of energy focusing on the students, making sure that they are well taken care of. It is really remarkable. Yes, St. Louis is not SF or NY or LA or boston. But how much of any city will you see or spend time in. You have a great campus, close to lots of great stuff, in a great location in the city.</p>
<p>just another thing that I wanted to add. Thinking about my daughter's high school life, we live just a few blocks from the WashU campus, she thinks nothing about going to many of the local clubs to see visiting bands which are all within walking distance of campus (Ciceros, blueberry hill, Pageant). If you are interested, check the schedule of bands at "the Pageant", the local venue in the loop that attracts many of the smaller national acts. Its easy to get tickets and my daughter is there at least once a month. At one of the bars in loop, "blueberry hill", Chuck Berry, who is almost 80 plays once a month. The big acts come to Riverport (summer), the Fox theater, and Saavis center, both relatively convenient to campus. It is really an amazing and very convenient scene.</p>
<p>the Pageant is in walking distance?</p>
<p>I am super excited after looking at their list, if they have half as many bands as i like next spring, well im super pumped</p>
<p>depends on where you are on campus. From Brookings hall (the main administration building on the east side of campus) its just a few blocks, at delmar and skinker. Brookings is at skinker and forest park. south40 where most live, is on the other side of campus.</p>
<p>Wash U actually has one of the best transportation systems for students I've seen on a college campus.The shuttles, and where they can take you are very impressive(as a former poster listed out).I think it might be one of the easiest campuses to be w/o a car for an undergrad. As someone pointed out before, there will be a new metrolink station as well (metrolink is the light rail system) which will connect you up to the airport and downtown city area.You have a shopping/dining/entetainment area within walking distance,and a major park and its amenities outside the Univesity's door.</p>
<p>The Pageant is still in walking distance from the S40, but I wouldn't recommend it in the cold.</p>
<p>I'm from Manhattan, NYC...I got into Wash. U, Claremont McKenna and McGill and can simply not decide. I know all three have great academics and all, but i'm just worried that I won't have enough fun at Wash U., seeing the high greek numbers (something i'm not into) and neccessity of a car to get into the city.</p>