Student Profile
Brittany
- Class: Junior
- Major: Psychology
- Gender: F
- High School: Academy of the Holy Names
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
The most popular shirt on campus says, "Wash U Pride, it's in St. Louis dammit." That pretty much sums up the reaction we have when we try to tell other people where we go to school. I am from FL and the first response I usually get is "O, Wash U, is that in Seattle?" kindly responding, "No, in St. Louis..." only get a more disappointing response of "Why the hell would you move to Missouri!" Wash U is a good mix of really focused academic students, and well, the more social students. The environment is way more relaxed than some other campuses I visited and people are pretty friendly. The campus is beautiful, including historical collegiate Gothic architecture and brand new similarly designed facilities that are up to date with 21st century technology. The students here complain a lot about the food, but in the grand scheme of things, I think Wash U is rated among the top schools for food. It's always a topic of conversation, as I am sure dining is on every campus. More recent hot topics here revolve around the political world. Alberto Gonzales came to speak on our campus, Barack Obama was turned away from speaking directly on campus (though he came to the Edward Jones Dome for a rally anyhow), in effort to stay neutral before Wash U hosts the VP debates next fall. Students are gathering to discuss these controversial issues, igniting political activism. It is a wake up call and I think everyone is learning more about what's going on in our government and country in effort to be educated voters. I am looking forward to more speakers and debate coming to campus in the near future. St. Louis, not the most exciting city I have ever been to, but a good place to explore and experience different flavors of culture around town. There are a ton of different places to eat and a few different areas to go out in. I think many people think it is a much more 21 and up friendly town, though. With our graduate schools, SLU and Fontbonne campuses nearby, there are a lot of college students to be found, though St. Louis would definitely not be classified as a "college town." I could go on forever about how I love Wash U and probably only complain about the ridiculously random weather we get here. If you would like more of my opinion I'd love to speak more with you on the phone.
Academic Life
Wash U is unique in that professors, deans, administrators and staff are for the most part accessible and friendly. Often the relationships formed last beyond the semester of class, and sometimes after the time at Wash U. It is not unheard of for students to go out to dinner or over to a professor's house for dinner. I think the most competitive students by far are pre-meds, but even so, students are pretty laid back here in comparison to schools I have visited or that my friends go to.
