Washington University in St Louis (WUSL, WUSTL, WashU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

From modest beginnings as a regional university, Washington University in St. Louis has emerged as a national leader in undergraduate and graduate education. The university now draws approximately ninety percent of students from outside of Missouri, with students from all fifty states, two U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and approximately sixty countries. Nearly sixty percent of the students come from more than 500 miles away, making this one of the most geographically diverse universities in the world. As a medium-sized university, Wash. U. provides the perfect combination of a friendly smaller campus with the resources of a large university. Visitors will notice a unique spirit of camaraderie. Some might attribute it to midwestern friendliness, but more likely it is the product of the common desire to learn that pervades the campus.

Washington University

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Information Summary

Ranks 2nd in Missouri and 111th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	94.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$74,361
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	35 / 1570
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	97% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	15,852

Academics

Flexibility is central to academics at Wash. U. Students are encouraged to pursue their interests even when they change; multiple interests are not only tolerated but encouraged. It is common to have a double major, even in different schools of the university. Sixty-four percent of students earn a major and minor or more than one major. Some students even choose to design their own major. With over ninety programs and 1,500 courses offered, no wonder students get excited about multiple subjects. Wash. U. students experience self-discovery by taking challenging classes in many divisions, working with renowned professors, and using their analytical skills.

Preparation

Many students receive credit for AP, honors, or IB courses taken during high school. In addition, placement exams are offered for areas such as foreign language and mathematics. Even when credit is not awarded, honors courses are beneficial in the admissions process because they represent a student

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

With over 22,000 applications in a recent year, Wash. U. is becoming increasingly competitive. To compete, students must pursue a challenging combination of courses and extracurricular activities. Admissions officers look at course selection and grades, recommendations, essays, extracurricular activities, and standardized tests.

Academic excellence, demonstrated by transcripts and test scores, is only the first step in the admissions process. At Washington U., applicants must also show how they have challenged themselves or pursued a personal talent. Initiative

Financial Aid

Most students receive some form of financial assistance through scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, yet some are given on both merit and need. Both the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are acceptable to apply for need-based financial assistance. Army and Air Force ROTC Scholarships are another option. Payment plans with monthly tuition installments and long-term, low-interest loans are available for parents.

Employment

Students have access to numerous campus jobs whether or not they have applied for financial assistance. Approximately half of all students work part-time on campus. These students can be found in laboratories, administrative offices, libraries, theaters, the Athletic Complex, and the bookstore.

Scholarships

The University provides nearly $65 million each year in scholarships to undergraduates, including both merit-based and need-based scholarships. More information is available from the admissions Web site (admissions.wustl.edu).

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4665th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Missouri.

Students

Leadership

Leadership at Washington University is apparent both in and out of the classroom. Students may develop as leaders through group projects in the business school, teamwork in intramural basketball, or as an elected class representative. Avenues for developing leadership skills include meeting with other student leaders in the Student Group Council, attending leadership conferences, or participating in workshops during the Women

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Wash. U. is an NCAA Division III school and founding member of the University Athletic Association (UAA). No athletic scholarships are offered, which means that athletes are dedicated to both academics and athletics. Student athletes are students first, athletes second. Nineteen varsity sports are offered, and Wash. U. has had championship success in almost every one. In 2007, the women

Local Community

Situated near Forest Park, the university provides access to museums, recreational facilities, and the St. Louis Zoo, nearly all of which have free admission. Just on the other side of the park is the Washington University School of Medicine in the Central West End, one of the young, hip areas of St. Louis. Full of vintage clothing stores, every type of ethnic restaurant, and several coffee shops, the Central West End is the perfect place to sit back with friends over a cup of java and discuss the last campus speaker or the results of the chemistry mid-term.

Nearby Clayton, the financial district and county government center, offers opportunities for summer internships or simply a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant, followed by a stroll through an art gallery. A bit further in the other direction, downtown St. Louis offers history and entertainment. Every student should visit the Gateway Arch sometime during his or her four years, but other attractions such as jazz clubs, Union Station (a historic, restored train station that features a beautiful hotel, shops, and restaurants), and the Anheuser-Busch brewery (world

Alumni

The most popular majors for a recent year

Faculty

Professors at Washington U. are leaders in their fields, engaged in research but also interested in sharing their knowledge with undergraduates. They enjoy teaching. Professors have been honored with awards that include the Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize. Yet, professors are approachable and accessible in and out of the classroom. Frequently, students and professors meet to continue a classroom discussion, discuss a paper, or clarify information before an exam. Some undergraduates pursue research, working closely with a faculty mentor. Research is not constrained to laboratory science either. Opportunities exist in a variety of fields, from anthropology to economics.

The professors I

Washington University in St Louis