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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD is a first-year at WUSTL, so here’s my perspective based on her experience thus far.

Her particular school, along w/several others on campus, is highly-regarded and does very well in both career and grad school placement. Her professors are engaging and caring, while challenging their students. TAs are helpful and friendly. DD has no complaints about academics other than she works a lot and has to maintain a strict schedule to fit in everything, including some semblance of a social life.

DD is waiting to hear back about approval for on-campus research this summer, but she has also been accepted to a study-abroad program if research falls through. Opportunities for students abound. Alumni network is strong.

DD’s dorm is older because she requested a single room, but she says the newer dorms are unbelievably nice. Still, even though her dorm isn’t much better than mine was back-in-the-day, she loves it because she shares a large common room with 5 other female suite-mates from across the country and has a porch/balcony with a nice view. I met DD's suite-mates when she moved in and all were polite and articulate. They have formed a close bond this year. In fact, DD has made so many new friends who share her love of learning while not being intense or competitive within schools. That’s what DD hoped to find in college.

WUSTL’s campus is gorgeous and safe (allowing for typical precautions). It’s one of the most beautiful college campuses I’ve ever seen. There’s a considerable law enforcement presence, including a campus police department directly across from the “South 40,” where underclassmen live. Several days a week, even in winter, DD sends us pictures of some beautiful natural aspect of campus, including the foliage and sunsets. WUSTL has all 4 seasons, which was appealing to DD.

Based on my recollection of our campus tour last year, the eastern-most block of WUSTL’s Danforth Campus (main campus) is located in St. Louis. The vast majority of campus is located in Clayton, MO, which is one of the most affluent areas of the state. Directly east of campus is Forest Park, which is much larger than NYC’s Central Park and includes the (free) St. Louis Zoo, which is a wonderful attraction. DD often runs in Forest Park, typically with a friend but the park is perfectly safe during the day so long as one stays on the main trail. St. Louis hosts an annual balloon festival at Forest Park that attracts most WUSTL students and there’s a large Mardi Gras celebration in the city that DD enjoyed this year. There’s also a main drag called “The Loop” just north of campus with restaurants and shops. As with any city, situational awareness and common sense are important.

DD applied RD to WUSTL with a 4.0/4.65 GPA, 35 ACT single-sitting/36 superscore; National Merit Finalist (Semi-Finalist at the time of application), 3-sport varsity athlete, state officer in an organization, multiple national awards, significant student council involvement and other leadership, over 350 volunteer hours in high school, etc. Of WUSTL peers she has discussed the subject with, she is the only RD student she knows of. All of her suitemates were either ED1 or 2, as an example. Obviously, there are other RD students in her class, but ED seems more common and WUSTL appears to prefer ED.

DD was waitlisted at Cornell and Rice, rejected by Yale, accepted OOS to UNC, and had full tuition + money toward room/board at our state flagship. What ultimately sold her on WUSTL was visiting campus post-acceptance. Not only are the facilities world-class and the campus stunning, but everyone we met was just so…nice. To me, what stood out is how all the students seemed so wholesome, for lack of a better word. I thought DD would fit the overall campus vibe, which she has done. Financial aid was also a factor for us, as WUSTL gave her a (relatively) good deal.

No question that the state of MO is a downside. DD is politically active for women’s rights, so she was aware of this going-in. Our state has OK reproductive access, should the need arise, but I can’t fault a student for opting out of college in a red state. For what it’s worth, WUSTL seems to lean more liberal, but that’s probably true of many college campuses.

I can’t say enough good things about WUSTL overall. An on-campus visit is essential for providing clarity either way.
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+1 Am a recent WashU alum and had a similar experience. The best things about the school were the people. Loved how it seemed that everyone was intellectually curious and intelligent, but also "chill" and friendly. Was a great time[/quote]

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