Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)

Washington University in St. Louis is a private research institution committed to being at the forefront of discovery, teaching, and making real-world contributions. Interdisciplinary study and global awareness are tenets of the WashU mission, and 80% of students opt for multiple majors or minors, while 30% of students study abroad. There is an "amazing and robust research scene." Even during the summer, research opportunities are plentiful, with positions in several of the school's centers and institutes and throughout each of WashU's seven schools. And WashU is especially good for students who appreciate teamwork. "Collaboration is definitely pushed throughout every corner of WashU"-there are even "interactive study groups to help apply the material." Students also have academic options such as the Beyond Boundaries program-a series of "interdisciplinary classes which follow a curriculum unlike your normal lecture classes," and after the first year in the program students can transition into any course of study while remaining connected to the program.

A 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides incredible support across 100 fields of study and nearly 2,000 "very rigorous and challenging" classes, including "some really interesting and unique courses that provide great opportunities for students to explore their interests experientially." Professors "are so dedicated and truly invested in learning," and the school "has the best resources out there." Students remark that advisors and instructors are there for students and are "always willing to help." People appreciate that "there are a ton of projects built into...classes"; for example, business courses "include a component where we get to work with a real company/non-profit on a project related to the course material." Many classes are also discussion-based or involve interactive and flipped classrooms where students watch the lecture videos before class and apply the concepts during class.

Eighty-eight percent of students are from out of state at WashU, yet everyone is "Midwest nice," making for a collaborative environment where "everyone is willing to help each other out or study together." They "are all very intelligent and very driven people who are willing to go to great lengths to do good." Students are also "very eager to learn and excited about school," and they get "involved in many activities." The student body "is generally pretty socially and politically progressive," but people are "always willing to help and talk about whatever they are interested in." Acceptance and inclusivity are found here, with people "always celebrating different cultures."

This "very pretty place" has more than 460* student groups, so one can "get involved in just about anything." And there is plenty of "free food from student organizations and free event tickets," such as the honey tasting events courtesy of the Beekeeper's Club in the spring. When students want some time off campus, they can take an "easy train ride to restaurants and shopping." Students here "definitely have fun, but that comes second after getting your responsibilities done," and "students really care about their classes and their future careers, and prioritize their life based on these activities." Greek life was once prominent on campus but has become much less so, and much of the social scene "has shifted to off-campus bars/clubs and parties at off-campus apartments."

The WashU Career Center hosts an Internship & Job Career Fair twice a year and even offers preparatory workshops leading up to it; it also maintains an online recruiting platform called CAREERlink where students can search for jobs, co-ops, and internships. There are a limited number of stipends available for students who wish to take unpaid internships over the summer, and academic credit is also available. Additionally, Career Interest Groups help aggregate all of the information about specific career paths, putting students, staff, faculty, and alumni in touch to create smaller communities and share guidance. “I have … found the alumni network to be extremely strong and supportive through my recruitment processes,” says a student. There are “great global opportunities” at WashU as well, and WashU undergraduates in all divisions learn through study and internships in more than 50 countries each year.