火爆社区

Washington University in St. Louis is 鈥済reat at鈥�teaching students what they need to know to thrive in their careers.鈥� The university is 鈥渁 major research powerhouse [that] maintains a tight-knit atmosphere that allows for undergraduate participation,鈥� and encourages 鈥渄elving into difficult questions.鈥� The academic experience is highly 鈥渋nteractive and consists of discussing questions in groups, then discussing it as a class.鈥� First-year Arts & Sciences students can participate in Ampersand Programs, which combine group and experiential learning across multiple semesters. In addition, several classes involve unique, first-hand opportunities鈥攕uch as one class about aging where 鈥渆ach week we would do a different innovative activity like wearing suits that simulated disabilities or going to the art museum to learn about art from older artists.鈥� Professors are described as 鈥渉ighly qualified and involved in student success,鈥� as well as 鈥渋ncredibly personable鈥� and genuinely invested in their students. One student humorously comments on the dedication of senior lecturers, noting that 鈥渢he amount of work they put into meeting with students and holding office hours is kind of insane.鈥� WashU also 鈥渆xcels in their accessible student resources, which range from academic and social [support] to mental health support,鈥� as well as professional development services such as 鈥渞茅sum茅 workshops and mentorship opportunities.鈥� According to one student, 鈥淭he advising options, both academically and socially, make a huge difference in feeling valued and motivated to keep working.鈥� Another adds, 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to find help with anything in any class or for applying for jobs, everyone tends to lend a hand.鈥� With its strong academic foundation and extensive support, 鈥渢he motivation and hunger for success vibrates through the air at WashU.鈥�

The Wash U student body is 鈥渁n incredibly friendly group of people eager to learn,鈥� and while most 鈥渁re very career-focused, the academic environment is collaborative and welcoming.鈥� One student adds, 鈥淥utside of class, people are passionate and invested in what they do, whether research in professors鈥� labs, building rockets in design teams, or performing in a band.鈥� Another shares, 鈥淣owhere else I鈥檝e ever been has had this density of people who are actively working to push themselves in all directions at all times.鈥� Each person here possesses 鈥渢heir own individual opinions and styles, which allows for the growth and formation of new ideas,鈥� with one adding that 鈥減eople really look at their personal holistic development.鈥� Another concludes, 鈥淭he moment you step on campus, you can feel the friendly and welcoming atmosphere by students [and] staff鈥�at WashU, people achieve their goals while supporting and helping others.鈥�

All first-year students at Washington University live on campus in one of the ten residential communities located in the 鈥淪outh 40,鈥� which refers to the 40 acres dedicated to housing first- and second-year students. This area provides both social and physical infrastructure, including fitness centers, recreation and game rooms, and dining facilities. In terms of daily life, students note that there is 鈥渓ots and lots of studying during the week and weekend,鈥� and that 鈥渁ny time that is free is spent鈥�with friends or doing club activities.鈥� Fortunately, the university provides a wide variety of clubs, and almost 鈥渁ny organization you could be interested in is offered and supported.鈥� These clubs are described as 鈥渧ery open and welcoming, friendly, and well-led and organized [in] bringing together a community.鈥� In addition to club activities, many students at WashU 鈥渞eally like to exercise鈥攖he rec center is popular, and people enjoy running/biking, especially in Forest Park.鈥� Beyond campus, St. Louis 鈥渋s a good food city, and students enjoy trying new restaurants.鈥� One student sums up the overall experience: 鈥淭he campus is breathtaking, the dorms are great, the food is good, the area surrounding WashU is very nice, and the people are amazing.鈥�

The WashU Career Center hosts an Internship & Job Career Fair twice a year and even offers preparatory workshops leading up to it; it also maintains an online recruiting platform called CAREERlink where students can search for jobs, co-ops, and internships. There are a limited number of stipends available for students who wish to take unpaid internships over the summer, and academic credit is also available. Additionally, Career Interest Groups help aggregate all of the information about specific career paths, putting students, staff, faculty, and alumni in touch to create smaller communities and share guidance. 鈥淚 have 鈥� found the alumni network to be extremely strong and supportive through my recruitment processes,鈥� says a student. There are 鈥済reat global opportunities鈥� at WashU as well, and WashU undergraduates in all divisions learn through study and internships in more than 50 countries each year.