The results of the New York Times college mobility report (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/college-mobility/washington-university-in-st-louis) with regards to WashU are quite troubling–it has the highest median parent income of any elite college, 22% of students are from the top 1%, and 84% are from the top 20%. Less than one percent of students are from the bottom 20% of the income scale.
So, as a prospective student, my question is this: Are these statistics representative of the experience on the WashU campus? Does the economic privilege of the students impact the student life?
yes and no.
Just fyi, more than 12% receive pell grants, this past year with the numbers increasing still this coming year.
I am part of that 12%, and I can tell you coming to WashU was one of the best choices I’ve made. 1. They give very generous aid to those that need it 2. Lots of opportunities that wait for you to take them 3. An entire program lead by PhDs for those from lower income backgrounds
I really don’t think being poor is a problem coming to this school (because you won’t really have to pay anything outside of plane tickets). Sure, it can be weird listening to your roommate complain about business class seats being too small, but other than those nobody really flaunts their wealth.