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Any comments on the types of personalities/kinds of kids/work and play ethics of undergrads at WU? Laid back or intense? Lots of different types of pretty stereotyped? Also, any/many Californians? THanks.

By Tao (Tao) on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:45 pm: Edit

i visited for 3 days in april. the kids i got to know a bit all seemed laid back socially but intense academically...i also observed some ppl (who lived on the same floor with me) who seemed really into their books and didn't go out much. but i guess its mostly work hard play hard...

By Ccoughlan2004 (Ccoughlan2004) on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

what dorm did you stay in during your visit?

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 08:20 am: Edit

Nice kids!

By Leftcoast (Leftcoast) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 01:10 pm: Edit

Adding to my post above: are the undergards cutthroat? Laid back? Driven? Super driven? do different ethnic and socioeconomic groups mix or are they segregated? Thanks again.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 04:13 pm: Edit

Leftcoast,
I have heard thru the grapevine that students at Wash U are, for the most part, not cutthroat, friendly, helpful, intellectual, driven but not overly so, and the school is not segregated. Everyone seems to get along. From what I hear, the kids who go there love it there. I'm serious!!!! I think that the school must treat the kids really good because I have heard nothing but good reports from several kids and their parents. My son will be going there in August, so I will probably hear real soon if the rumors I am hearing about Wash U are really true. Are you planning to apply to Wash U?
I think you should consider visiting this school!!!

By Johnkerry (Johnkerry) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 05:02 pm: Edit

Perhaps another relevant question is, what type of parents do washington university students typically have. The answer to that question as is quite obvious from this board, is hyperobsessive borderline compulsive ones. On a related note, I am not sure that missmolly should be giving her opinion on the student body/social scene at wash, especially if her son is not even there yet. Almost every school boasts a thriving social scene and an intellecually curious and driven student body. Moreover, when you visit a school you are usually guided around campus/hosted by a student who is going to be more pro-WashU than the typical student, thats why they were selected to be a guide/ambassador. You actually have to spend at least a semester in college before you can really testify to a school's social climate (asides from the obvious statistics, i.e. %women/%men, % involved in greek life, % living on campus, etc.). I'm sorry if this post came off a bit harsh but I'm tired of the trite cliches (purposely redundant) that do not help anybody. Yes, washu is a great school that deserves your attention and I encourage you to go visit and make your own judgment about whether the climate is right for you. your own experience is a greater barrometer of your future enjoyment than the opinion of some mother on a message board (who likely has different values/interests than you) with only superficial knowledge of the school.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 05:55 pm: Edit

Hey Johnkerry,

I have several friends whose kids go to Wash U, so I feel that my "opinion" is valid. Who are you to judge me?

By Melissa27 (Melissa27) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 07:04 pm: Edit

molly-
you have to admit, you are pretty obsessive

By Johnkerry (Johnkerry) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 09:26 pm: Edit

I don't presume myself to be in any situation to judge you. I am merely questioning the legitimacy of some of your advice and the sanity of your behavior (just kidding). and as far as your justification, i have many friends who have spent semesters in China... this does not make me an expert or even credible on the topic. just my two sense.

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 09:42 pm: Edit

If you want opinions of students who go there check out www.livejournal.com/community/washustudents

I've gotten the impression from talking to MANY people who go there/have gone there that it is a rather laid back place that is very student-centered. I agree, however, that the best way to get to know a school is to visit it yourself. Just on stats and great programs I looked at many schools. When I visited, my opinions of the schools to which I was accepted changed, and Wash U ended up being the place for me. It's not the place for everyone, and many of the schools I turned down would be perfect fits for other people. It's sort of like trying to buy shoes on the internet...you can get close to your size by shopping around...but you really need to try it on in person to know if it's the place for you.

My recommendation: You can ask all the questions you want...and that's a great thing to do to start out on your college search. In the end, you need to find the place that you really want to be your academic and social home for four years. To truly decide if a school is the right one (especially before applying ED or accepting an offer of admission) you really should visit the school if it's at all feasible. Don't just take the tour...stay over night, talk to people, walk around on your own...get a broad, real picture of whatever campus beyond the glossy literature.

I'm very biased because my trip out to St. Louis made me know that Wash U was the place for me. If I hadn't seen my top schools for myself, I might have made a totally different decision.

Good Luck!

By Johnkerry (Johnkerry) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 09:59 pm: Edit

... and that is what I call 'some good advice'.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 07:53 am: Edit

Johnkerry,
Okay I'm an obsessive parent. I would rather call myself concerned and well informed than obsessive. You go to Wash U-what are the students like there??? As a student, what are you like? With your first-hand experience at Wash U you probably have some great insights...Bye the way,are you voting for John Kerry. I do hope he gets elected in November.

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:22 pm: Edit

thank you...that's all I try to do...

after all...we've all been in the "prospective" position