Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)

Washington University has a reputation as a premier university — one that enables students to create their own real-world success. At WashU, we know discovery starts with big aspirations and progress comes from passionate persistence. Together with our peers, professors, and alumni, we set out to change the world. We love a good challenge—one that pushes us outside our comfort zone and lets each one of us shine in our own unique way.

Washington University's mission is to discover and disseminate knowledge, and protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching, and learning. WashU offers a supportive, and intellectually rigorous environment where students of all identities and backgrounds thrive. Whether you're exploring outside the classroom, participating in one of our 450+ student-led clubs & organizations, conducting hands-on research with our world-renowned faculty, or landing an internship that propels you down your eventual career path: WashU is here to support our students. Our faculty and staff strive to enhance the lives and livelihoods of students, the people of the greater St. Louis community, the country, and the world. Central to our mission are our goals, which are to welcome students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds to create an inclusive community that is welcoming, nurturing, and intellectually rigorous; to foster excellence in our teaching, research, scholarship, and service; to prepare students with attitudes, skills, and habits of lifelong learning and leadership thereby enabling them to be productive members of a global society; and to be an institution that excels by its accomplishments in our home community, St. Louis, as well as in the nation and the world. Through our goals, Washington University intends to judge itself by the most exacting standards; to attract people of great ability from diverse backgrounds; to encourage faculty and students to be bold, independent, and creative thinkers; to provide an exemplary, respectful, and responsive environment for living, teaching, learning, and working for present and future generations; and to focus on meaningful measurable results for all of our endeavors.

WashU students are driven and ambitious but also collaborative. You'll find that your peers will cheer you on, encouraging your success and also pushing you to leave your comfort zone, both inside and outside of the classroom.

You can join one of WashUs 450+ clubs and organizations, travel and learn through study abroad programs, and have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research alongside professors who are leaders in their fields.

The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement cultivates informed and actively engaged citizens. Community service is a natural part of life at WashU, with approximately 60% of students engaging in a wide range of service projects.

Eighty-eight percent of students are from out of state at WashU, yet everyone is "Midwest nice," making for a collaborative environment where "everyone is willing to help each other out or study together." They "are all very intelligent and very driven people who are willing to go to great lengths to do good." Students are also "very eager to learn and excited about school," and they get "involved in many activities." The student body "is generally pretty socially and politically progressive," but people are "always willing to help and talk about whatever they are interested in." Acceptance and inclusivity are found here, with people "always celebrating different cultures."

This "very pretty place" has more than 460* student groups, so one can "get involved in just about anything." And there is plenty of "free food from student organizations and free event tickets," such as the honey tasting events courtesy of the Beekeeper's Club in the spring. When students want some time off campus, they can take an "easy train ride to restaurants and shopping." Students here "definitely have fun, but that comes second after getting your responsibilities done," and "students really care about their classes and their future careers, and prioritize their life based on these activities." Greek life was once prominent on campus but has become much less so, and much of the social scene "has shifted to off-campus bars/clubs and parties at off-campus apartments."

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. “I have … found the alumni network to be extremely strong and supportive through my recruitment processes,” says a student. There are “great global opportunities” at WashU as well, and WashU undergraduates in all divisions learn through study and internships in more than 50 countries each year.