Washington University in St Louis

Date: May 05 2011
Major: Anthropology (This Major's Salary over time)
OK. So I'm ancient. I went to Wash U thirty years ago.

I've been reading page after page of comments by much more recent grads, and you know what. the graduates and attendees who wrote positively about this school repeat my experience from the late 70's early 80's to a T. I love(d) this school. I worked hard all day and into the night and then went out almost every night late at night on weekdays and weekends. Except for my science classes, all of my classes were average to small in size. I did neurochemistry research at the med. school, modeled in the fine arts department, took chinese with about eight other kids when no one took chinese, and made the best friends of my life. I'm about to go back for my 30th reunion in a couple of weeks and can hardly wait. I would trade twenty high school friends for one Wash u. friend. Simply put, I had a great time here. I worked hard, but I played just as hard. I didn't stay just on campus either—I lived in U. City for a few years and explored much of St. Louis and environs. Having come from the New York city area, the openness and friendliness of people on campus and in the midwest was a breath of fresh air. The premed scene brought my science grades down, but I made that up with with lots of A's in my last couple of years. I got accepted to graduate school on a full fellowship that was competitive, and I think that the breadth and quality of my Wash U. experience helped garner that. And yes, the weather in St. Louis can be hell—especially if you stay for the summer. If you want perfect weather then go to the Univ. of Hawaii. However, if you want a stellar, well-rounded experience with the opportunity to get involved in almost anything your heart desires…if you want to get to really KNOW your professors and have your ideas taken seriously, if you want professors with open doors who really teach their classes (not TAs) then come to this school. Wash U. just keeps getting better and better, just like a good wine. It may not have the cachet of Yale or Harvard, but the effort you put into your education and life here will come back to reward you tenfold. Take my word for it.