Why the Wash U haters? (Washington University/St. Louis)

[Anonymous]

At one point Wash U made a big push to get kids they had no intention of seriously considering to apply just to bring down their admissions rate. That created some long-term hostility.

It's also a school that a lot of private school kids end up at when they don't get into Ivies or top universities or SLACs, but their parents feel a state flagship is beneath them. It wants to be a Duke or Northwestern, but it's probably like Tufts, just in Missouri.

Apart from that, most people have no strong opinion about the school.

[Anonymous]

On this forum, no matter the school, someone is going to have a visceral hatred for it.

My kid looked at WashU. It's a very nice campus with great programs, including in business and pre-med, which is what a lot of students are interested in today. Nice kids. Good vibes. And it's a nice neighborhood with the park and whatever that neighborhood is called.

I think the downsides are Missouri, which is far away from everything. And it feels... too comfortable. Like it's a swanky retirement home for 20 year olds.

There's a country club vibe to it, which is great for some, but not for everyone. Academically, it's a very good school in nearly everything. The students are all very solid. It's a very good school, but for the location and it feels like a place for wealthy students, like SLACs do.

Basically, WashU is a very comfortable school with great academics in a nice neighborhood in a faraway state that's close to nothing.

[Anonymous]

All the other T25s have more to offer. Its the weakest T25 as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be random anti-Wash U comments on this board, made in response to other inquiries. They are usually brief with no details. Curious why people seem to have a strong anti-Wash U sentiment and what it's based on? I was thinking maybe it's the location or the state, or are there other compelling reasons? What type of student thrives there? (referring to Washington University in St. Louis)

Same as what was said on a WashU thread last year: because it is in the mid west literally in the middle of the country. This forum and the posters on here can't get over this fact.
Univ of Chicago is to Chicago as WashU is to St Louis as to uPenn is to Philly as JHU is to Baltimore etc etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the other T25s have more to offer. Its the weakest T25 as well

This is not true for premed. HSY Penn Brown Duke Rice Vandy WashU Emory are probably the best ones for premed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because a pipeline to internships in Branson or Kansas City is not what most DCUMers are looking for.

That's not where Wash U students generally get internships. (Not that there's anything wrong with those locations.)

Try St. Louis, SF, NY, Chicago.

And not liking internship locations is not a reason to write disparagingly about a university.

[Anonymous]

- St. Louis sucks
- games admissions stats
- super Jewish
- not fun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be random anti-Wash U comments on this board, made in response to other inquiries. They are usually brief with no details. Curious why people seem to have a strong anti-Wash U sentiment and what it's based on? I was thinking maybe it's the location or the state, or are there other compelling reasons? What type of student thrives there? (referring to Washington University in St. Louis)

Missouri.

Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the haters. The fact is your DC needs to apply to some schools that aren't their dream school but have some of the attributes of their dream school. Once decisions come they need to look at the pros (Wash U has many) and the cons (location is not great).

[Anonymous]

I strongly suspect not a single poster here has a child who actually attends this school. So they sound - and are - ignorant.

[Anonymous]

When is something going to matter?

Missouri women face significant healthcare challenges, including poor health outcomes, limited access to care, and high rates of preventable deaths, particularly in maternal and reproductive health. Contributing factors include a near-total abortion ban forcing patients to travel for care, widespread maternity care deserts, a high rate of uninsured women, particularly women of color, and a maternal mortality rate 50% higher than the national average. The bipartisan movement to address these issues includes efforts to improve access to contraception and address the shortage of OB-GYN providers.

https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/24/missouri-women-reproductive-health-ranks-commonwealth-fund/
MISSOURI

Banned abortion at 8 weeks with no exceptions for rape and incest

state could investigate women’s miscarriages

doctors could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison

maternal mortality rate is 50% higher than the U.S.

congenital syphilis is at its highest rate in nearly two decades

5 counties in Missouri face a 1,000% increase in syphilis

Poor Health Outcomes:
Missouri ranks poorly for women's overall health, with high rates of maternal and infant mortality, breast and cervical cancer deaths, and poor mental health among women.
Maternity Care Deserts:
More than 41% of Missouri counties are maternity care deserts, lacking any birthing facilities or providers, making it harder for women to access care during pregnancy and birth.
Limited Access to Abortion:
A near-total abortion ban, enacted after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, forces Missouri residents to travel out of state for care, incurring additional costs for travel, lodging, and childcare.
Maternal Mortality:
The maternal mortality rate in Missouri is significantly higher than the national average, with Medicaid patients being at especially high risk.
Uninsured Population:
A substantial portion of Missouri women lack health insurance, particularly women of color, hindering their ability to access necessary healthcare services.
Healthcare Costs:
High costs of care and lack of guaranteed paid sick leave create economic instability and make it difficult for women, especially those in low-wage jobs, to access and afford the care they need.
Decreased OB-GYN Providers:
The state's abortion ban has led to a significant drop in OB-GYN residents, further exacerbating access issues for maternity and other reproductive care.
Addressing the Challenges
Legislation:
Bipartisan efforts are underway to reduce barriers to contraception and address the shortage of OB-GYN providers.
Advocacy:
Grassroots movements are working to improve reproductive freedom, access to care, and support for women's health issues.
Public Health Initiatives:
Organizations like the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offer services such as Extended Women's Health Services to provide family planning, STD testing and treatment, and follow-up care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s an Ivy League back up and it’s expensive as hell. Anybody living in VA who’s good enough to get into Wash U but not an Ivy is far better off going to UVA.

WashU opens far more doors than UVA

Agreed….not even close.

[Anonymous]

Sht hole state

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the consensus is that it’s Missouri that’s the issue. Yet, people here love Rice and don’t post long missives about how women are treated under Texas laws. Why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the other T25s have more to offer. Its the weakest T25 as well

This is not true for premed. HSY Penn Brown Duke Rice Vandy WashU Emory are probably the best ones for premed.

Thats all washu has, the others have other prominent majors and or better locations.