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How is St. Louis and the Wash U. campus? I'm not gonna get a chance to visit so any input on people who either attend or have visited is appreciated. Thanks.

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 07:16 pm: Edit

St. Louis is an awesome city. I will be attending Wash U next year, and my dad has been living there for two years (job stuff....my family is relocating early next year). The Wash U campus is beautiful, and it is located in a nice suburban part of St. Louis. There's a free zoo, some museums, and great shopping within walking or shuttle distance. There's Cardinals stadium for baseball, and there are a lot of places to see bands and plays. There's also an airport that's less than a half hour from campus....so it's easy to get home (Southwest flies there to = cheap) It's not directly in a downtown city area like Manhattan or Boston, but is far enough away to be out of the crunch. The arch is cool as well. If you want any more info on the campus and city let me know more specific questions.

By Thejuiceisback (Thejuiceisback) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 09:03 pm: Edit

Thanks, trebleclef. 2 more things: is it necessary to have a car or is the campus walking distance from the city's downtown or is there an efficient bus service (like the shuttle you mentioned)? Also, how's the crime in St. Louis? By that I mean, how safe is the campus and how safe do the students feel there? Thanks.

By Tobes (Tobes) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 10:05 pm: Edit

i'm gonna be going there next fall but when i visited i took one of the shuttles to the loop (the main basic shopping/restaurant area for students) and it was ok. a little slow cuz it sat like 15 min at every stop but it got us there and it was easy to use. apparently a lot of people do have cars or at least each group of friends will have a car that they share but they're installing a light rail system next to campus so im thinking that will reduce the need for cars. the campus is definitely within walking distance of the loop but not the city. it might be walking distance if you're into lots of walking but i'm not really sure. there's also forest park right across the road from brookings hall which includes a zoo, art museum, and ice rink as well as being a really pretty bigger version of central park. so there's definitely the basics within walking distance.

By Tobes (Tobes) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 10:08 pm: Edit

oh and the crime rate---well St. Louis, like all cities, has crime and in some places it can be pretty bad. however, wash u is located in the clayton area of st louis which is like a middle? upper? class suburb. it's not like being at columbia in manhattan or something.

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit

Hey there...look forward to seeing you in the Fall Tobes. Anyway, it is within walking distance of many great places. The light rail is starting to really come along and the public transportation is pretty efficient and goes to many cool places that you might want to check out. Wash U itself also has buses/shuttles to places like the mall, restaurants, cool shopping areas, museums, concerts, etc. Having a car is helpful and time-saving--but it is just about everywhere. If you want a car there is decent parking, whereas at a school like Columbia or GW having a car would be a HUGE expense. You don't need one though. I won't have one. You can't have one until your an upperclassperson though.

Crime is a problem everywhere. I'm from New York (Long Island actually), and both on the island and in the city there are areas of high crime and areas of extremely low crime. Wash U is not a campus like, say Columbia, Barnard, Trinity, or Johns Hopkins in which you walk a few blocks and could feel extremely unsafe walking around--especially at night. Wash U is in a nice area of St. Louis---as Tobes said a rather suburban area. There's a lot to do there, but it isn't in extreme downtown. There are high crime areas of St. Louis, but they aren't around campus. (For example, if you have that car---it probably won't get stolen off of the campus).

I would consider logging onto the website for Wash U at www.wustl.edu. There are various parts with virtual tours of the campus. Also, if you click on "visitors to the st. louis area" you can also see what that part of st. louis looks like.

Good luck--thejuiceisback. If you have any more questions, problems, concerns, or excited outbursts feel free to comment or ask--I'm glad to help anyone get to know the ins and outs of my favorite school.
Tobes---do you have an AIM screen name? I know no one who's going there. It would be good to talk to someone else.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 06:28 pm: Edit

I dont know what they all see that I don't but St. Louis is an awful city. I visited there two summers ago (when I was looking at Wash U) and almost didnt apply afterwards (I only applied because it was on the common app and had no supplement). The city has a serious crime problem (even the nice areas are sketchy). St. Louis is a pretty dead town. I dont know why anyone would want to go downtown except to see the arch. Furthermore, the area called the loop is tiny and borders a real sketchy area. True, the campus is nice and feels safe, but if your looking to go to college near a cool city, this is definitely not the place. Look into Emory, it has the same feel as Wash U, a much nicer campus, and Atlanta is an amazing city. I think all the others who responded are biased because they are going there.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 08:29 pm: Edit

Ejj
You are definiately bias! You must be going to Emory. Atlanta is okay, but it is NOT amazing. I think that you like the south because you are from the south.
I think St. Louis is like many cities-it has some great attributes, but it also has some not so nice areas. The neighborhood around Emory is very nice and suburban, but Atlanta has some areas that are terrible too.

By Melissa27 (Melissa27) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 08:41 pm: Edit

yeah that and, emory's students don't interact outside of their self segregated groups. the cliquiness of the school made me sick when I visited. I'd never go there.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 08:48 pm: Edit

Yeah I do go to Emory and obviously I think that Emory is great, but that does not mean that I only think St. Louis sucks because I go to Emory. The city sucks becuase its terrible. There is little street life, few interesting areas, few things to see, and a lot of crime. I didnt mean to start an Emory vs. Wash U battle, but there is no comparison between Atlanta and St. Louis. I spent almost a week in St. Louis and was ready to leave by the first day. And Melissa-obviously you had a weird experience at Emory, or heard that Emory was segregated and only looked for what you expected. But it is not a particularly segregated school. No more than any other university with a diverse crowd. I personally found it to be impossible to have segregation at Wash U becuase everyone appeared to be the same.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 10:15 pm: Edit

Ejj

You are so bias! St. Louis is NOT terrible. It is a city! You can't possible know St. Louis in one week. I wonder what your real beef is??? St.Louis or Wash U???? The students at Wash U are NOT all the same—they come from all over the world, and for the most part, the students get along really well. You obviously have an attitude—Why????????

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 11:37 pm: Edit

I think Wash U is a great school. I dont have anything against it. I merely said St. Louis is not a great city and was attacked for going to Emory. I never said Atlanta was the perfect city or that Emory is the perfect school. But I guarantee that if you did a poll of the US many more people would agree that Atlanta is much more happening than St. Louis.

By Kousuke (Kousuke) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 12:20 am: Edit

but you managed to some how connect, "Look into Emory, it has the same feel as Wash U, a much nicer campus, and Atlanta is an amazing city." into how you didnt think St. Louis isnt a good city. Out of all the schools in the US, why did you choose Emory? Random chance? more likely because you have a bias. Thats why everyone is accusing your statements. I've never been to St. Louis so I wont agree or disagree with you.

By Tobes (Tobes) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 01:05 am: Edit

Hey Trebleclef my AIM is screen names and e-mail addresses may not be posted on CC. You may refer readers to your Profile. Repeat violators may be banned. --Admin but you'll have to give me yours cuz I block everyone who's not on my buddy list. I'm from NJ btw so we're coming from the same neck of the woods

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 07:46 am: Edit

The schools are undeniably very similar...hence...if you dont like St. Louis and want the Wash U enviornment in a better city..go to Emory

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 10:05 am: Edit

Ejj
Settled, thank you for being fair-minded! I think Emory is a great school, and the fact that you love the surrounding environment is a plus.
Good luck at Emory!!!!

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 02:05 am: Edit

I am surprised no one asked what the original poster (Thejuiceisback) wants in a city. St. Louis to me is kinda dull and not very cosmopolitan (compared to San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Boston). But still it is more happening than many places in the South/Midwest. It's fairly spread out and the public transit is mediocre at best; so don't expect you can explore it conveniently without having your own car. On the other hand, you'll probably spend most of your time studying and socializing on campus anyway.

By Tao (Tao) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 03:01 am: Edit

yeehaw yippekaiyay!

By Uknowwho42 (Uknowwho42) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 08:29 am: Edit

If you're going to Wash U, you're probably not going because of the city. I'm going, but that's because I realized there was so much to do on and near the campus that you would never have to go into the downtown area (which basically sucks). Almost all the students I talked to said you never need to go into the city, but it is there if you want it for a special occasion. The size of the city means it attracts big name bands, has major pro sports teams, etc. which you can go see on selected visits, but most of the time you can stay out of downtown. The Wash U campus is amazing though, most of the time you won't really want to or need to leave.

By Chemgirl04 (Chemgirl04) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:14 am: Edit

ejj2007,
from someone who as lived in saint louis for all 18 years, i think it is very hasty to make judgements on a city that you visited for a week and had made up your mind about on the first day...if you hadn't made up your mind so quickly you would have realized that there is an incredible night life...sure, not NYC but definitely comparable to Atlanta. People go to the loop and downtown all the time. The city itself is very safe and hardly "sketchy", i have no idea what would make you think that other than that you must have witnessed some horrendous crime and that prevented you from keeping an open mind...university city is beautiful and very safe, as are all of the suburbs that surround the campus and even those that don't. You should not be concerned about Saint Louis crime unless you are planning on going to East Saint Louis every night...its a city, just like atlanta, be practical and you won't have any problems. I've lived within walking distance for my whole life and can tell you both that the students are happy, laid back, and the majority love saint louis. Next time have some examples to back up the pre-concienved notions that you came with.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 10:44 pm: Edit

Chemgirl04,
I stand by everything I said about St. Louis. True, I was only there for a week, but I also have relatives who live out there due to their job and feel the same way. I have also talked to many students at Wash U who think the city is terrible. St. Louis is an extremely dangerous city that offers little culturally to do or any other things that you would expect in a major city. The Loop may be somewhat of a nice area, but it is far from campus, not very big, offers not much more to do than in a suburban town, and has a sketchy area around the metrolink. I do not think it is even remotely comparable to Atlanta when it comes to urban life, jobs, culture, night life etc. Atlanta is a thriving urban center, with numerous areas much nicer than the loop and safer. Atlanta's night life is also some of the best in the country. Midtown alone would but St. Louis to shame, not to mention Buckhead and Downtown. Midtown alone in Atlanta would offer more cultural activies than in all of St Louis, Buckhead's shopping is unbeat by St. Louis, and Atlanta is a much better place to do business with more than 450 of the fortune 500 companies. I think Wash U would be a good choice for the generic college experience, but St. Louis is hardly a vibrant urban backdrop to college life at Wash U.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 09:16 am: Edit

Who are you going to listen to someone who has spent one week in St. Louis or some one who has lived there for 18 years? Duh!

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 01:12 pm: Edit

or unbiased news reports on how awful the city is.

By Chemgirl04 (Chemgirl04) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 02:33 pm: Edit

ejj2007,
if you honestly think that St. Louis is an "extremely dangerous city" than you must live an a hole. The loop is hardly far from campus, maybe, maybe, a 10 minute walk...and is completely safe by any measure. Go ahead, look up the crime statistics for University City. I lived within walking distance of both Wash. U, and the loop and the worst crime that we heard of happenening is 18 years was a stolen bike or such. But, if you're still concerned, the University City police station is in the middle of the loop, most people however, are smart enough to realize that it is not a very threatening environment.
who are you to judge a city based on a week?
please, before you make ridiculous statements like "Atlanta is a thriving urban center, with numerous areas much nicer than the loop and safer" visit the whole city and not just the Wash. U campus (which is incredibly safe and the majority of students love anyway).
get a life, and recognize how degrading your statements are, especially since they have no factual backing and are simply your opinion.

Oh, and if you need any further convincing that your impression of Saint Louis may not be entirely correct, please visit http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/. Especially check outh those stats on suburban crime, after all, im guessing on your trip that you spent hardly any time actually in the city of Saint Louis.

By Chemgirl04 (Chemgirl04) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 02:38 pm: Edit

and what news reports would these be....? also, i was under the impression that most news reports are inherently biased because they filtered through a person and a network...unless perhaps you've found the one newspaper/reproter in the country that manages to print/write completely unbiased news stories...i challange you to such a feat...

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 02:57 pm: Edit

My father lives in St. Louis, and I have spent a lot of time there. Like any city, there are areas that might be a bit sketchy---but you can say the same for New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, or any other city. Wash U and the area surrounding it are both very safe. From staying with my dad in St. Louis many times and seeing various parts of the city, I have to say that I personally think it's a great place. Each person has there own perspective on where they would like to live or go to school. I personally love St. Louis and the area surrounding Wash U, and that was part of my decision to go to Wash U. I'm sorry if you had a bad experience there and you're completely entitled to your opinion, but others are also entitled to there own opinions (especially if they live/have lived/ will live there). Personally, I love Wash U more because of St. Louis, and I've never felt unsafe or bored while staying there.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Actually, Chemgirl I stayed downtown in Union Station (one of the supposed highlights of St. Louis)Furthermore, I live in NYC so it is not as if I am from an isolated hole. I deal with crime on a daily basis. Perhaps I came off the wrong way. When I visited St. Louis, I did not feel that safety would keep me from attending Wash U but rather the liveliness of the city. I spent most of my time in downtown St. Louis, but went to University city for dinner, wandered around the loop, and took the metrorail all over. I am used to living in large thriving cities like New York and (I know this will again start controversy) now Atlanta, so I was looking for a school in a vibrant city. IMO St. Louis feels like it has seen better days and was tired and depressed. Perhaps, it is not I who live in a hole but you all if you can not see the faults of St. Louis, but choose to focus on Wash U's technical location in University City. But remember, it is Wash U in St Louis for a reason. The campus is obviously very nice and from what I hear offers a great campus experience. But I do not think that I can be attacked for being ignorant and expressing my own views when you all tend to ignore Wash U's larger context in a city with some of the worst crime and accompaning poverty in the US. For me, I did not feel that the benefits of St. Louis were enough to draw me to the school and risk the crime. I was looking for a urban enviornment and, as you all show, St. Louis does not draw Wash U students into it, but rather they stey in the surrounding areas.

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 07:51 pm: Edit

If you are so down on Wash U, then why are you posting on its message board? You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, but we are also entitled to ours. Some of us love the city. I now live part time outside of NYC, and decided not to go to school in New York. St. Louis is a different city than NYC, but that doesn't mean it is a bad city. There are some very high crime areas of New York and areas of poverty. Many of the NYC schools are located right in unsafe areas. These are also great schools, and I have many friends that were drawn to them and the obvious charm of NYC. However, others love Wash U and the city in which it is located. It depends on what you are looking for in your college. While there are people who choose other schools, there are people who chose Wash U because it is an excellent school in a city which they might very well love. I've had a lot of great times in St. Louis AND in New York City. Both cities are different, and I have a lot of experience with both of them (I live outside of NYC and my father lives in St. Louis). Everyone looks for something different in a school, and many people on the Washington University in St. Louis message board were drawn to Wash U and attend the university, will attend the university, or want to attend it.

By Chemgirl04 (Chemgirl04) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 07:55 pm: Edit

ok (and this is going to be the my last post regarding this because it really shouldn't be this big of an issue) but you most definitely CANNOT say "worst crime and accompanying poverty is the U.S.". Im sure you are very smart but this comment makes you sound completely uninformed.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 08:50 pm: Edit

I totally agree with Chemgirl. Ejj is really naive when it comes to city living!!! You can have Atlanta, but guess what Atlanta has the same issues as every other city in America...get real!

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 08:55 pm: Edit

Trebelclef, I said numerous times that I do not dislike Wash U just St. Louis. Chemgirl- what i meant to say was "worst poverty and accompanying crime". Open up any review of American urban areas and will you read the same thing. Check out this website: http://www.morganquitno.com/cit04pop.htm
ST. Louis ranks number 2 out of America's most dangerous cities overall
Also, I obviously know that news reports are biased, but it is hard to argue with statistics.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 09:02 pm: Edit

Missmolly, I live in NYC. I am hardly not a I am just a realist. If anyone needs to get real its you and all of you who posted saying how safe St. Louis is and how wonderful of a city is. Maybe in suburban utopia, but not in the large Metropolitan area....get real!

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 09:22 pm: Edit

No one said that St Louis is a safe city. St. Louis is a city,just like New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle. All of these cities share the same issues-such as crime and poverty. You who lives in New York City should know this...

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 10:36 pm: Edit

New York is one of the safest cities in the country first of all. What I think is that the other cities are able to draw residents with their cultural and business opportunities and general urban life. Again, IN MY OPINION, I don't think St. Louis' offerings outweigh the cities short commings. Missmolly, you neither live in St. Louis nor are you attending Wash U. Your son is ...remember that.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 10:36 pm: Edit

New York is one of the safest cities in the country first of all. What I think is that the other cities are able to draw residents with their cultural and business opportunities and general urban life. Again, IN MY OPINION, I don't think St. Louis' offerings outweigh the cities short commings. Missmolly, you neither live in St. Louis nor are you attending Wash U. Your son is ...remember that.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 11:58 pm: Edit

I lived in St. Louis for 3 years! New York, in my opinion, is not safe...

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 08:48 am: Edit

Ejj,

This argument is going nowhere...yes, you have a right to your opinion like everyone else, so lets move on.

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Missouri's ban on gay marriage
http://www.news-leader.com/today/0804-Gaymarriag-148408.html
I rest my case

By Fyre (Fyre) on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 11:55 pm: Edit

I've lived in the city my whole life...

Its safe as long as one uses common sense and knows the area. Yes there are bad areas but so what? Every city does. Near the campus is great because its on the edge of the best park ever, and the zoo is great. Certain areas around the univeristy are really nice. Like super great looking.

However, north St. Louis isn't that great. I volunteered at the churches and the area surrounding was well horrible. Maybe someone of you guys who judge the city have ventured into this part a lil' too much. LOL!

Anyways, you can't judge the city on that part. St. Louis is a really great place...

By Hyoseobee (Hyoseobee) on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 02:16 am: Edit

Wasn't St. Louis an Olympic city?

By Ejj2007 (Ejj2007) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 11:42 am: Edit

yeah in 1904

By Naj087 (Naj087) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:28 pm: Edit

St. Louis really does lack the whole cosmopolitan nature of cities like NYC, Miami, D.C. etc and I really didn't get the feeling of the Clayton/Loop area to be much of a college town. I'm from Miami and the combination of being so far from the water and the lack of things to do kind of turned me off. I mean how many times can you go to the Loop and the Galleria before it gets old? But Wash U is a really great school which is continually improving and it has a stellar campus, though not quite as charming or striking as a UVa or Princeton or something. Plus there's a lot of new construction around the Galleria for like an outdoor shopping venue or whatever and the shuttle is pretty reliable when you don't have access to a car.
P.S. The surrounding area is very wealthy especially for the midwest and quite beautiful to boot. Regarding crime, the campus police are pretty prevalent and reliable (fist full of 5s) but Forest Park is known to be pretty dangerous at night. When you leave the campus and go downtown to say like the Fox Theater(which is incredible) or to see the Arch(bump fair st louis) then you get an entirely different picture of the city. It's pretty startling.

By Milemarker7 (Milemarker7) on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 07:43 pm: Edit

You don't go to Wash U do you?

Have you asked the students what they do for fun? Even though its no Miami, I'm sure they have other things to do besides the Loop. I would be interested as to what on-campus activities Wash U students keep themselves busy with.

By Washu07 (Washu07) on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 07:32 pm: Edit

we have lots of activities that you can get involved with, and PLENTY of parties. also, we had a lot of cool bands come to campus last year including maroon 5 (got so popular they had to move it to the loop from campus) and phantom planet. those tickets are very cheap. then of course we have wild twice a year which is the coolets thing ever, where bands come and play all day for free. theres free pizza and beer (with an id) every thursday night because of a school sponsored happy hour, and a lot of people to go that.... i'm trying to think what else... there are plenty of things to do on campus though, you will never be bored!