Visit Report by prestige_factor7 (Member since September 16 2006 with 46 posts) Visit Date - August 2006
Visit to Washington University in St. Louis in August 2006 by prestige_factor7 (Student, HS Class of 2006)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - I had a student interview - VERY relaxed and informal, but that doesn't mean there isn't a need to dress up or to prepare for the interview. Information Session:
Yes - Same old, same old. The typical admissions spew. Lots of emphasis on community. Campus Tour:
Yes - Wonderful - they split it up so that there's 1-2 families per tour guide. Perfect for close interactions. There are tours for the Olin Business school as well. Classroom Visit:
Yes - For the Olin school, the student tour guide demonstrated to me the school's computer system and technology.
Washington University in St. Louis Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Everyone I met was incredibly enthusiastic about the school! I got really good vibes from everyone I talked to.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Awesome. The Dean of the Olin school walked by us during the tour, and he actually stopped and introduced himself to me and welcomed me to Wash U.
Appearance of Campus: 3 - Good -
Beautiful architecture, but a lot of construction going on, especially around the Olin Business school.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good -
Very nice, and everything in the Olin school is top notch (technologically).
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
I only managed to stop by the new dorms, but the rooms seem very spacious and the private bathrooms were a huge plus.
Security/Safety: 3 - Good -
I'm not really sure, but Wash U is in a pretty suburban place. St. Louis itself is NOT a nice area at all, and I would not walk around there by myself.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
I fell in love with the school. I wish that I could get accepted NOW!
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good -
Seems to be pretty suburban and safe, but I'm not exactly sure.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good -
The Loop is a town full of hippies (it's similar to Berkeley). People smoke pot out in the open. Good restaurants there, and lots of weird free concerts. Interesting shopping places as well.
Campus Visit Notes for Washington University in St. Louis:
Visit Description:
One of the major things that Wash U emphasizes is community, and that is what actually draws me the most to the school. I am actually able to double major in Chinese (ArtSci) and International Business (Olin), and still graduate in four years. It seems as if all the students are close regardless of undergraduate school based on this type of academic freedom. While visiting the Olin school, the Dean (Mahendra Gupta) happened to walk by my tour, and he actually stopped and took the time to introduce himself and welcome me and my mom to Wash U. That simple gesture really stood out to me, and I got warm fuzzy feelings of community love in my stomach. The best thing about Wash U. is that the campus tour is very individualized (the ArtSci tour had two families including me and the Olin tour only had me in it), and it's easy to ask the tour guide questions that you couldn't normally ask in a large group.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
I stayed in the St. Louis city; the hotel that I stayed was a lot cheaper than what it looks.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Thai Country Cafe (in the Loop) is really really good, but get the fried rice; that's the best! It was recommended by a student.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
The MetroLink (subway) has a stop right on the Wash U. campus, so that's pretty convenient. I just drove from place to place though.
-
Everyone I met was incredibly enthusiastic about the school! I got really good vibes from everyone I talked to.
-
Beautiful architecture, but a lot of construction going on, especially around the Olin Business school.
-
Very nice, and everything in the Olin school is top notch (technologically).