Washington University in St. Louis User Reviews and Ratings
Amazing, diverse school; broadened my perspective
By N. Class 0f 2018, From Rome, Italy
I applied to a lot of schools but when I visted WashU after being admitted, I knew I would be happy there. There is just such a good feeling on campus. The beautiful buildings, delicious food, and passionate faculty also help. I had the best professors here. Some classes were 3 students, some (Intro to Micro Economic, for example) were 150 but the majority of the classes were small and discussion was always encouraged, even in the big classes. We have one of the finest school museum's in the country. Jason, who wrote the History of Art, was actually in charge of our collection for several years in the 1940s and made some of our most important acquisitions. It's hard not to love this place. One thing I loved the most was the diverse people I met. My freshman year, my roommates included a major in mathematics, communication design (in the Art School), and Biology (I was undecided my first year). My second year, I lived with a Business school student and a Biology major. I loved that the medium size of WashU made the campus easy to walk around and interesting to explore but still exposed me to people very different from myself, an experience that may be harder to find at small schools. I can't say enough positive things about WashU. I am still in touch with many of my professors and when I'm in town or they happen to be visiting my current city (Rome, Italy), we always meet for lunch. The career center is also the most robust I have seen. I used to go to weekly meetings just for a group of students interested in public policy jobs. Unmatched student support.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Beautiful and Huge
By Jeannie, From San Jose, CA
Very beautiful school with caring administrators. The move in was extremely smooth with lots of help from students. The weather can be a bit strange. Lol. Can't compare to CA. Nice dorm.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best undergrad experience
By Olin '15, From IL
WashU was my top choice and my four-years there certainly exceeded expectations. The school offers an extremely flexible curriculum that allows students to explore any discipline, even if it's not in their home school. Even four years out, I am still in contact with some of my professors and will never miss an opportunity to share a class lecture or experience that stood out in my mind with friends. The residential college student and emphasis on the freshman floor experience is an exceptional way to jump start student's college career and introduce them to students from all over the country. The part of WashU that I remember most fondly is the strength of our student life and dedication of student group leaders. I was always in awe of how passionate my classmates were about their non-academic commitments. In my opinion, WashU students have the super power to always make it to class, do homework, give 110% to our extracurriculars, and still manage to have social lives. Oh yeah, the WashU facilities/dorms and food aren't bad either :)
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
Would Choose WashU Every Time
By Class of 2016, From Midwest
Activities & Social Life: The athletic facilities are top of the line. There's a soul/spin cycle on campus. The sports teams are some of the best in the nation.Tons of social life and greek life if you're into that too. City & Setting: St. Louis has a lot to offer - Cardinals games, Blues games, Forest Park, etc. St. Louis has everything you could want in a city. Dining & Food: Best food I've ever had in my life. You can order anything your heart desires at Bears Den and it's all custom made to order: Steak, Burgers, Stir Fry, Pasta, Deli Sandwiches, Kosher, Gluten Free Options, etc. Dorms & Housing: WashU's dorms are consistently rated #1 in the country. You will be in awe. Tempur pedic mattresses for everyone!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
Excellent school
By Violeta, From NC
I found the counselor services excellent
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Don't go here if you want to be a doctor
By JP, From Indiana
Brutal weeding out classes. Virtually no advisor support. Passionate students interested in medicine get taken out by one bad exam and have their chances at med school ruined. There is no redemption, you make one mistake and you can kiss your dreams good-bye. This is how Wash-U keeps their med-school acceptance rate high, by ensuring that their non-perfect students never apply.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
Good School
By nick, From CA
Bear-themed Disney Land that reminds you that the people in charge don't care about you, they just want your money. Anyway, student life. Students study hard, but aren't passionate about what they're learning. Not saying they aren't smart, but it's hard to tell one person from the next. If you want personality, this assembly line of a university isn't the right place for you. Something I was looking forward to doing before I came here was something I heard multiple times during multiple WashU admissions presentations. WashU admissions people said that the St. Louis Zoo releases their penguins from their enclosure every year and lets visitors walk in the park with them. It's called the Penguin Parade, but last time it happened was in 2011. Even the admissions people don't like their jobs enough to go the extra mile to keep their information up to date. I'm not mad, just disappointed. Good school, good academics, many people love it here, but no passion is a deal breaker for me.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：3
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
WashU & St. Louis are under-rated
By WU_opens_many_doors, From Vermont
With the caveat that I graduated nearly two decades ago, I look back fondly on my time at WashU. A beautiful campus with tons of green space, tunnels and hidden paths connecting buildings, and amazing social settings such as the Quad to bask in the college experience. A small enough school where you can easily recognize everyone on campus after a few months, but large enough to live life at your own pace. It's not a Division I sports school, so from memory there was a bit of a void of school spirit. That said people who choose to go to WashU are non-pretentious types who don't care much about prestige/reputation/bragging rights because you'll soon discover after leaving WashU that not many people have heard of it. "Is that in Washington state or DC?" Yet those in the know, especially those most important to one's career aspirations, definitely know about WashU. Recruiters know the brand, employers know the brand, grad schools know the brand, who cares if your friends' friends don't? The other half of the WashU equation is the city of St. Louis itself. In one direction of campus you find Clayton, a modern, quiet neighborhood full of old mansions that borders a growing business district; in another you find the Delmar Loop, a hip neighborhood that bridges a college social scene with 20-to-30 something nightlife; and in another you find Forrest Park, acres upon acres of fun including a Science Museum, Art Museum, ice skating & sledding in the winter, golf & frisbee in the summer, etc. Public transportation is extremely convenient and St. Louis has a lot to offer from sports to music to nightlife, plus a more lively college scene in the St Louis U area if that's what you're looking for. A few hours drive and you're camping, hiking, fishing, floating down the river, or visiting Chicago/Memphis/New Orleans for a long weekend. Life is full of trade-offs, don't write-off WashU until after applying especially as the school is known to be generous with scholarships & aid.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
One decision I will never regret
By Will F., From New York, NY
I chose between multiple top tier schools and I cannot repeat enough that WashU is one of the great academic institutions of America. Extremely rigorous and challenging courses with high-touch attention and awareness from your lecturers and professors. Beautiful and ever-evolving campus. Rich in student resources and activities. An administration that holds itself accountable to students wellbeing and academic needs. In this age, more than ever, St. Louis is a hotbed of political activity — with civic and activist opportunities that students can make the most impact in. Don't hesistate to visit this beautiful and prestigious school!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Rigorously Academic Without Fussy Pretense
By AF Class of 2011, From MO|Missouri
Elite education with affordable housing. The amount of brilliant people found on campus feels at times overwhelming. Through attending WashU, you cannot fail but to be transformed into a more thoughtful, articulate, and knowledgeable person. It is the first, and the only, educational institution that made me thirst for more understanding while giving me the tools to satisfy that thirst.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Our history Teacher got an applause at the end of lecture
By Class of 1981, From Chicago
Just an excellent school to learn from world class teachers.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：1
Exceptional
By Mom of WASHU22, From St. Louis, MO
Wash U is driven to meet the world's challenges. It is a place where students can push the boundaries of what it means to learn. Students are enriched by wide-ranging exploration and inspired by big ideas as they create new knowledge for an ever-changing world.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
