Washington University in St Louis Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Jason

Highly academic, intelligent, but still friendly, nice and helpful.

Shilpi

My classmates are driven students who (mostly) know what they want, why they want it, and how to get it.

Crista

For the most part they are pretty friendly. However, a majority of the people at the school seems to be very sensitive.

Emily

My fellow classmates are extremely studious, and have a very good influence on my own study habits.

Zev

Washington University students are inquisitive and hard working, and while they value learning and opportunities in the classroom, my fellow students never fail to involve themselves extensivley outside the classroom, such as in volunteer work, community service, research, and social activities.

Jesse

I would describe my classmates as extremely competitive, intellegintn and diligent individuals.

Gabriela

My classmates are incredibly welcoming people in that anyone is able to feel at home on campus because they make people feel that they are truly a part of the WashU community their first day on campus.

Stephen

For the most part, classmates are clever and quick on their feet in class discussions as they have the same drive and intellectual curiosity as I do.

Chisom

When you start, begin with an open mind and do what you are comfortable doing. Expand your comfort zones slowly so that you do not overload yourself with extra-curriculars. Explore courses that seem interesting to you and realize you have plenty of time to do whatever you think you want to do. It is very easy to fall behind as a freshman but know that people are always looking to help you if you want it.

Julian

Mostly white. High Jewish and Asian population, but otherwise very little diversity. Most students tend to be well off with the exception of students on full scholarships.

Cassie

Though superficially, the students of Washington University in St. Louis may look very different, with some sporting bodaciously red hair and others in more conservative collared shirts and khakis, we all share a certain, specific essence: we thirst for knowledge, for excellence, for achievement, just as many others our age, but because our sense of family is so strong, we would not dream of putting another in calamity's path to achieve these things, and when taken as a community of 600 strong, this is something to be reckoned with.

Kelsey

I don't think anyone will feel out of place. There are a lot of different people here from all kinds of back grounds. There are a lot of different religious groups on campus and a lot of international groups. I do think people tend to clique into groups that are more like themselves. I think a lot of people on campus have money but are still very modest about their back grounds. There is some political activism and over all I think the campus is moderate to liberal. I do know a fair number of republicans. It's not about how much people will earn someday, but people have a lot of goals. Most people want to be doctors or want to go into business.

Annmarie

Geographically, most students are from the Northeast or the Midwest, with a decent amount from the West Coast, some from the South, a few from outside of the U.S., and, of course, some that don't fit into any of these specific categories. Many students come from affluent families, but wealth is by no means a norm. It is very common for students to come with scholarships or considerable financial aid. Since Wash. U. hosted the vice presidential debate in the last presidential election, and one of the presidential debates in the election before that, most Wash. U. students would consider themselves fairly politically active. For the most part, Wash. U. is a politically left-leaning community. There are countless numbers of groups on campus dedicated to raising awareness for gay rights, as well as issues of racial diversity and gender inequality. Wash. U. has a very open-minded campus -- it would be hard to find any student who wouldn't be friends with his or her classmates because of their religion/race/gender/sexual identity/sexual preference/political opinions. Wash. U. is known for having a very large and active Jewish community, but there are also very active groups of Christians, and there is a Wash. U., Catholic Student Center next to campus.

Paige

All students are very warm and welcoming on campus. Washington University has a variety of student groups for different races, religions, interests, sexual preferences, and cultures. While the diversity on campus may not appear extremely high (60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are classified as "white"), multicultural groups do have a large presence on campus, and it is very common for students of all backgrounds to participate in different cultures' activities, such as Ashoka, Wash U's South Asian Cultural Group.

Han

Students I've met here are generally nice. They are ladies and gentlemen. They truly treat each other as friends. We learn and live in a very cooperative and supportive setting. They are smart, really smart. It seems everyone knows exactly what s/he is doing and why s/he is doing.

Kate

Andrea

A common link I see amongst all WashU students is their ambition. Students are involved in both academics and extracurriculars. Outside activities vary from varsity athletes to a member of the newly instituted Butter Churning club. Most students are middle class, with a decent amount coming from the suburbs of Chicago. One thing I have noticed, however, is the amount of political apathy around campus. Granted, St. Louis is not a hub of political energy, but students do not seem to be as informed as their East Coast counterparts.

Elizabeth

They're very friendly, a little competitive, mostly very intelligent, and pretty great.

Richard

The students around campus are rather politically oriented, very much to the left. In addition, an overwhelming majority of students seem to come from either the east coast or the west coast with, of course, some mid-westerners as well. I think students interact inasmuch as the various extracurricular groups are open to everyone although many groups may have a specific socioeconomic, religious, or political base they are geared towards. There are also many ethnic student groups. In some regards parts of the student base self-separate however conversely we have a ton of exchange students so it's not surprising that there are a number of groups where people can get together who may be from the same part of the world or all speak the same language in a family-away-from-home sense.

Richard

The students around campus are rather politically oriented, very much to the left. In addition, an overwhelming majority of students seem to come from either the east coast or the west coast with, of course, some mid-westerners as well. I think students interact inasmuch as the various extracurricular groups are open to everyone although many groups may have a specific socioeconomic, religious, or political base they are geared towards. There are also many ethnic student groups. In some regards parts of the student base self-separate however conversely we have a ton of exchange students so it's not surprising that there are a number of groups where people can get together who may be from the same part of the world or all speak the same language in a family-away-from-home sense.

Lauren

The students here are disproportionately wealthy at WashU, which probably has something to do with the fact that our admissions are not needs-blind. Students hail from all over the country, but the East Coast, Chicago, and California are where the majority of the population comes from. Our school is very open and accepting, and there seems to be a thriving gay population. In fact, sometimes it seems like there are more gay guys than straight guys here. A lot of students who aren't middle or upper class could feel out of place, as many people do talk about their nice cars and vacations. So many people are well-travelled, which is an indication of the wealth. Despite the wealth at WashU, nobody really flaunts it too much. Students wear a variety of things to class. Some go all-out and wear dresses and lovely coordinated outfits, while others opt for sweatpants. Generally, the student population knows how to dress and isn't afraid to show it. Especially the students at the art school, who are the poster children for "hipster." WashU can be self-segregating, but everyone is friendly to one another, as everyone is open and friendly. The campus is decidedly left-leaning, and a decent number of students are well-informed. Again, the WashU bubble can make it difficult to stay informed, but kids here do an okay job of it.

Nelson

Thet are extremely motivated people who have a goal in mind at all times.

Nell

My classmates are supportive: the student body feeds off each others' intellectual, innovative, and compassionate energy to build a community of people dedicated to making a difference on campus, in St. Louis, and for the world.

Matthew

My classmates at Washington University in St. Louis are very intelligent individuals who are academically focused but know when to have fun on the weekends.

Juan

The students you will find at Washington University are among the most intelligent, active, honest, laid-back and versatile in the country.

Chelsea

To describe my classmates in one sentence, I would say "my classmates are very smart, hardworking, competitive, and have a promising future in front of them." Washington University places a large focus on academic acheivement. Due to this, it tends to attract student that focus on academics just as much. Many of my classmates care greatly for their education, and they are willing to put in the time, effort, and hardwork needed to do well and succeed. Due to this hard work ethic, I believe that many of my classmates will go on to do great things.

Elizabeth

Classmates are motivated and supportive of each other. There is a good mix of academic drive and social adeptness that creates a relaxed, yet intelligent community of people. The school is dominated by pre-med students.

Mariam

Nice and driven people who can study hard and have fun.

amanda

I take night classes, so by the time I get to class I would have to say that my classmates are just as exhausted as I am after a long day at the office.

Grace

My felllow peers at Washington University in St. Louis are from all over the United States and all over the world make up a warm and loving community that jumps at every oppportunity to help others learn and grow in their college experience, and although they put a huge amount of effort into their classes and activities, they also know how to let loose and have fun.

Jiali

The students at WashU are high achievers that love discussing academics and helping others understand the material.

Megan

WashU is a popular school for pre-meds- but the students are chill and laidback, competition is within oneself, not with others; There must be something in the St. Louis water or the Midwest air because WashU kids are some of the nicest people I've met.

Rob

Wash U students are incredibly smart and focused, but also know how to have fun. All students excelled in high school, but nearly all shed their competitiveness upon arriving on campus. I've never seen a group of people enjoy each other's company as much as I have seen at Wash U.

Julie

My classmates are highly competitive against the standards they set for themselves, they are intelligent and driven when it comes to both schoolwork and extracurriculars.

KaShay

They seek to gulp from the fountain of knowledge and fill their water bottles too.

Lisa

Interested, excited, curious, competitive, hardworking, able to share ideas

Brittani

They are an amazing group of diverse, intelligent, hardworking people who always strive to do their best and challenge you along the way.

Lulu

They are the most relaxed, talented, considerate, intense, random, hard-working, driven, socially-aware, incredible students that I have ever met and that I'm sure I will ever meet.

Lydeah

My classmates are intriguing, intelligent, compassionate, multi-talented, driven, goal-oriented young men and women who recognize their priorities, know how to work hard and play hard, and who are absolutely determined to change the world for the better in their own unique ways.

Ethan

My classmates are intelligent and driven, but also very social and welcoming, and I have made many new friends in a very short time because of the welcoming atmosphere that I experienced.

Emily

It is impossible to describe all my classmates in just one sentence because their backgrounds and personalities are so diverse; so far, the only common factor is that all my classmates are highly intelligent, sometimes intimidatingly so, and friendly.

Noah

My classmates are among the most intelligent and friendly people in the nation.

Natalia

It is the people that make the school, and my "classmates" are more than just other people learning in the same institution as myself, they are my best friends, my family, my teachers and my students.

Yang

Everyone that goes to WashU is extremely friendly. There are a wide variety of different groups, so it's nearly impossible not to find your own niche.

Cindy

extremely smart, motivated, interesting, unique, achievement oriented individuals. Most people were in the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of thier class (some even valedictorians) and many were accepted to Ivy League schools (i know personally know people who turned down Princeton, Harvard and Cornell) because they wanted a friendlier, more supportive, community oriented school.

Nicole

There are birds called Social Weavers that collectively build huge nests to provide for the various needs of the individual of the flock and any visitors that may fit through hard work and plenty of play in order to provide various entrances, exits, interests and even sexual orientation that allows the diverse community to grow and thrive together without detracting from indiviudal needs; I could not think of a better analogy for my classmates at Washington University in St. Louis: a flock of social weavers and their friends.

John

My classmates in the architecture school are eager to share opinions, but also sort of competetive.

Amy

They are all smart and sometimes say smart things just to say them and sound smart

Jennifer

My classmates are very intelligent and driven people that know what they want to accomplish in life and are already taking steps to reach their goals.

Sarah

My classmates are smart, hard-working students who like to have fun (and drink) on the weekends, and get very involved in campus organizations.