Discover WashU
Through the experience of a student’s first year, on and off campus
What is life at WashU really like?
We know there’s a lot to consider when applying to colleges. But for all the books you read, tours you take, and informational sessions you attend, you’re really trying to answer one question: What will my first year on campus feel like?
Consider this your guide to WashU through the eyes of a student. We’ll cover everything you need to know before you apply, plus give you a sneak preview of what your first year could look like, from move-in day to finals week and all the personal and academic milestones in between.
Turn the page and start your journey at WashU.
May
June
July
August
Summer
Next summer, you will be balancing nerves and excitement. Readiness and reflection. Packing, box checking, and memory making as you prepare for the transition from high school and living in a place you’ve always known to your new home on campus.
Take this time to learn about WashU–our community, world-class academic programs, and student-run clubs. (Plus, look out for QR codes and handwritten notes to hear firsthand accounts of the first-year experience.)
Get familiar with the WashU campus
As a first-year student, you’ll live in one of 10 residential communities on a part of campus we call the South 40.
Tour the WashU campus
From student-run businesses to open-air meeting spots and a world-class art museum, this is a community we’re proud to call home.
a
Walk through the Thomas H. Eliot Residential Building with Marielle.
video!
# 2 From the Princeton Review: WashU is ranked #2 for Best College Dorms (2024)
Where are WashU students from?
You might be wondering where in the literal world your future classmates are coming from. WashU’s undergraduates come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and more than 57 countries outside of the U.S.
7,523 undergraduate students enrolled (16,500 total enrollment) 90% of undergraduates come from out of state 65% of undergraduates come from 500+ miles away
Here’s what the Class of 2028 is studying.
1,176
163
308
31
Popular majors among undergraduate students
Biology
Psychological & Brain Sciences
Political Science
Explore our schools
Architecture
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Chemistry
Philosophy/Neuroscience/Psychology
Biomedical Engineering
Finance
Your future starts here
WashU boasts nationally recognized undergraduate programs in over 100 fields of study. With a variety of special academic programs and the flexibility to take classes across disciplines, the possibilities are endless.
Wherever your path leads, WashU will provide the resources to transform your passions, education, and skills into a purposeful career.
Check out different majors and programs
While students do not have to declare a major until their sophomore year, they work closely with advisors from day one to navigate course selection and academic goals.
Browse all programs.
80% of undergraduate students pursue multiple majors and/or minors
College of Arts & Sciences
The largest school on the Danforth Campus, we offer programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Tell us what you’re curious about, and we’ll help you make your mark.
Olin Business School
Become the leader you want to be. First-year entry means you are fully immersed in business principles from day one, learning in a flexible, collaborative environment, both in the classroom and through real-world projects.
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Join a close-knit community of ambitious, engaged students working to create positive change through architecture, art, and design.
McKelvey School of Engineering
Whether they’re developing lifesaving medical devices or discovering new sustainable energy sources, McKelvey Engineering students are passionate about solving problems and making the world a better place.
Beyond Boundaries Program
For students interested in collaborative problem-solving, this program is all about building the skills to tackle complex world challenges through interdisciplinary teams.
Discover all Arts & Sciences has to offer.
Watch the startup story of ChiChi Foods, founded by Chiara (BA ’23) and Izzy (BSBA ’25).
See how WashU architects and computer scientists worked together to build a miniature city that explores the intersection of design and technology.
Can we brew a sustainable plastic? See how two WashU engineers are creating new biodegradable materials inspired by an unexpected source.
Learn how this standout program empowers students to lead future change.
450+ undergraduate student groups
College is about more than academics.
Here’s a glimpse of the wide-ranging interests you can explore through clubs and student-run organizations.
First-week experiences
Move-in day
You’ll receive an arrival date and time through the WashU housing portal, and our team of movers will meet you on campus.
Fall Welcome and Orientation
Once you get settled in, it’s time for our first-year orientation program. You’ll meet your academic advisor, hear from upperdivision students, and connect with a small peer group in your residential community.
Set up for success
Convocation
This long-standing tradition is your official welcome to WashU. You’ll hear from Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, various faculty members, and even a few of your classmates.
First day of classes
Today’s the big day. We’ll be providing snacks, school supplies, and plenty of photo ops at on-campus checkpoints to celebrate.
Take a deep breath
There’s a lot going on after move-in day. Take a break with Meg, who has some advice for incoming students.
Watch the video!
September
October
November
FallThe first weeks on campus are a flurry of activity and excitement. Now that all classes are in session, it feels like the fall semester has officially begun.
As the tree-lined paths on the Danforth Campus begin changing colors, take the opportunity to learn more about WashU’s Division III athletics, on-campus dining scene, and more.
Cheer on the national champions
In 2024, our women’s soccer team beat William Smith College 3-0 to win the program’s second national title. Make sure to catch their season opener!
If you’re someone who plays for the love of the game, we’ve got you covered. Get a rundown of all intramural and club sports offerings.
75% of undergraduates participate in
Parent & Family Weekend
Now, the moment your family has been waiting for—the chance to experience WashU with you. Take them on a campus tour, get tickets to the Homecoming football game, or invite them to a guest lecture hosted by acclaimed WashU professors.
Drop by the DUC
Our dining hall at the Danforth University Center (aka the DUC) is the place to be for build-your-own tacos, allergen-friendly bowls, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and more. It also houses Café Bergson and Ibby’s for coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go bistro offerings.
You can take advantage of WashU’s award-winning dining services at over 15 locations on the Danforth Campus.
Of course, you’re also in walking distance of 50+ restaurants and cafés located in the Delmar Loop and University City neighborhood. Once you venture out, you’ll find a wellestablished food scene here in St. Louis.
Hear where Anika goes for the best ramen (and more) in STL.
guide to good eats
Check out the latest from “Good
Foodie culture runs deep here.
Eats,” the food blog run by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Anna Gonzalez.
Discover on-campus offerings
Visit the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
WashU is home to one of the nation’s leading university art museums. As a student, you can sign up for a free membership that includes exclusive exhibition previews and events. The museum also offers student internship and research opportunities.
See what’s on view!
Check out a show at the Edison Theatre
Known affectionately as “the Edison,” this 656-seat theater functions as a teaching facility for our Performing Arts Department, which produces three mainstage shows a year. It’s also one of the few theaters in St. Louis to serve as a rental house for locally based presenting arts organizations such as The Black Rep.
McKale
Artwork credit (page 17, center image): Tomás Saraceno (Argentine, b. 1973), “Cosmic Filaments,” 2019. Dichroic filters, polyacrylic panels, stainless steel, and polyester rope, 17’ 6” × 53’ × 27’ 8”.
University purchase with funds from the William T. Kemper Foundation and Art on Campus fund, 2019.
Embrace culture and community
WashU traditions
With more than 170 years of history, WashU is rich in campus traditions. Learn more about the annual events that bring our community together.
Visit the website!
Diwali show
Get your tickets for an outstanding show put on by Ashoka, WashU’s South Asian Student Association, to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights.
DUC n’ Donuts
Head over to the Danforth University Center for free donuts and coffee on the first Friday of every month.
Black Anthology
The oldest annual cultural theater production performing a story within the global Black diaspora is here at WashU. It’s entirely produced, written, and directed by our students.
Hosted by the McKelvey School of Engineering, Vertigo is the second-most-attended event on campus. Last year, students even designed and installed their own wireless, computercontrolled dance floor.
Vertigo dance party
December
January
February
Winter
When the temperatures—and sometimes snowflakes— fall, the pace heats up in preparation for finals. Don’t worry, there are plenty of people, resources, and diversions (did someone say free breakfast?) to provide support and smiles as the fall semester wraps up.
Once you’re back from a well-deserved break, you’ll have new opportunities to explore St. Louis and connect with WashU’s career engagement coaches.
Final exams
Your first college finals week. The hype is real. But we’ll let you in on a secret—you already know how to do this. As a WashU student, you know how to work hard, study effectively, and ask for help when you need it. This is just putting the skills you have into practice. So, leave the stress, find a friend, and head over to Moonlight Breakfast for a much-needed break.
Finishing your first semester
This event is one of WashU’s most beloved traditions for a reason. Drop by Bear’s Den or The Village to load up on a free late-night breakfast spread served by some of your own professors.
Take a pause with ORSEL
Speaking of study breaks, the Office for Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life (ORSEL) offers various ways to pause throughout the semester, including monthly retreats, pop-up meditation events, and free care packages during finals week.
Moonlight Breakfast
Priyanka dishes on Moonlight Breakfast Watch the video!
Winter Break
WashU’s Danforth Campus is approximately 16 minutes (11.1 miles) from the St. Louis Lambert International Airport
A fresh start
Your second semester
As you enter the final half of the academic year, you’ll take on a new course load and more opportunities to find and embrace your passions. (Check out WashU’s publicly accessible class search feature to see what’s available now.)
Treat yourself to Coffeestamp
It’s one of the many local and minority-owned or womanowned restaurants on campus. (You can’t go wrong with the empanadas. Or the horchata. Or anything, really.)
It’s a rite of passage on St. Louis snow days. Located in the heart of Forest Park (and across from one of the nation’s leading art museums), the city’s most iconic sledding destination is just minutes from the Danforth Campus.
Go sledding on Art Hill
Explore classes at WashU.
Anika
Resources to reach your goals
Stop by the Center for Career Engagement
The relationships you build here will last well beyond your undergraduate years. As a member of the WashU community, you’ll have lifelong access to our career resources, planning tools, and global network of alumni connections.
of graduates are employed, in school, or pursuing other positive outcomes within six months 86% of employed graduates are earning $60,000 per year or more
of students who worked with PreHealth advisors were admitted to medical school as first-time applicants
STL life
Stroll down the Delmar Loop
Named “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association, this sixblock stretch of theaters, restaurants, and vintage shops is in walking distance of the Danforth Campus.
See a new view of St. Louis
Did you know you can ride to the top of the Gateway Arch? After taking in the views from 630 feet in the air, make sure to explore the surrounding riverfront lined with trails and bike paths.
Take a walk in Forest Park
Just steps from the Danforth Campus is one of the largest urban parks in the country (yes, bigger than Central Park). Forest Park is home to an abundance of free attractions, including renowned museums, an iceskating rink, and a top 10 U.S. zoo.
Spend the day at Union Station
This iconic landmark was once among the world’s busiest railway terminals. Today, the historic grounds host tons of unforgettable experiences like the St. Louis Wheel, the Grand Hall Lights Show, and our city’s nationally recognized aquarium.
March
April
May
Spring
As the second semester winds down, student life is in full bloom. This is the time to find deeper engagement within the St. Louis community, discover study abroad opportunities, and embrace WashU’s end-of-year experiences.
Break away
1 in 3 undergraduate students study abroad 60% of WashU students participate in community service
Alternate spring break plans
The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement hosts alternate spring break experiences to help students connect with the broader St. Louis community. Past service outings include helping restore Greenwood Cemetery (a historic African American cemetery in North St. Louis) and invasive plant species removal with Great Rivers Greenway.
Most students who are interested in studying abroad begin the planning process by the end of their first year. Of course, finding the program that best fits your goals and education objectives is no small task, so you’ll receive support from our advisors every step of the way.
End-of-year experiences
ThurtenE Carnival
A WashU tradition dating back to 1907 (!!!), ThurtenE is the nation’s oldest and largest student-run carnival. Walk over to Francis Olympic Field to enjoy the thrill rides, live shows, and deep-fried delicacies.
WILD
One of WashU’s largest (and loudest) university traditions, this free outdoor concert has featured some of the biggest names in music, including Childish Gambino, Flo Rida, T-Pain, and Carly Rae Jepsen.
From the Princeton Review:
WashU is ranked #5 in Entrepreneurship for Undergraduate Programs (2024)
The Skandalaris Center is where WashU startups thrive. This competition brings our brightest entrepreneurs together, providing students and alumni with expert mentorship to help commercialize, launch, and pitch their ideas to investors—with up to $25,000 in awards available.
The Skandalaris Venture Competition
Looking back, moving ahead
Final exams
Deep breath in, deep breath out. You got this.
First Year Finale
The end of your first year calls for a celebration. This annual event gives first-year students the space to reflect on all the ways they’ve grown—plus the chance to recognize members of the university community who contributed to their first-year success.
Commencement
In the days before Commencement, you can feel the sense of anticipation, excitement, and school pride on every corner of our campus. Most recently, Simone Biles took to the podium as the featured speaker, joining the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Sterling K. Brown, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Watch the GOAT address the Class of 2025.
Summer in St. Louis
Whether you’re sticking around for a few months, weeks, or days, you’ll find that our city is one that comes to life in the summer months.
Your STL bucket list
Cheer on the iconic St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Plus, experience the city’s most hyped sports team—Major League Soccer’s St. Louis CITY SC.
Get a taste of Ted Drewes’ famous frozen custard, a St. Louis staple that locals flock to when the temperatures rise.
Visit the Missouri Botanical Garden and stake out your spot for the annual Whitaker Music Festival, featuring free, weekly concerts under the stars.
$73K More than
Financial aid & scholarships
Average financial aid offer at WashU
This means your aid offer could be greater than the cost of tuition.
Dreams within reach, and without loans
WashU is committed to ensuring that admitted students can obtain a world-class education without taking on debt. That’s why we meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans in our financial aid offers for all undergraduate students.
Get more information about our financial aid initiatives and application process.
First-year academic scholarships
Our merit-based scholarships are awarded solely on academic achievement and an outstanding promise for excellence at WashU. All applicants are considered for academic scholarships based on the school they apply to. You can also apply for our Signature Scholar Programs, which recognize exemplary leadership and service.
We offer:
Merit-based and need-based scholarships
Financial aid that ranges up to the full cost of attendance
Financial aid counselors who work closely with your family throughout the application process and your undergraduate years
Hear from Madison, a recipient of the merit-based John B. Ervin Scholarship. Watch the video!
How to apply
Applying for college shouldn’t feel like a chore. We’ve outlined a guide to help first-year and transfer applicants take the next steps toward their future.
Check out the application process.
Before you get started, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Decide which decision round is best for you. WashU offers three options: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision.
If you apply in the Regular Decision round, you can apply to as many schools as you like, and you’ll receive your admission decision by April 1.
No matter what round you choose, your financial aid offer will stay the same.
Make sure you know the deadlines. You can find all the important dates on our website.
View dates and deadlines.
Plan ahead and use your resources— whether your family, your counselor, or our admissions team—to make this process manageable. We’re all here to support you!
Disclosures
Federal law requires colleges and universities to provide consumer information to prospective students and their families. Please go to washu.edu/policies/student-consumer-information for consumer information concerning our notice of availability of institutional and financial aid information; contact information for assistance in obtaining institutional or financial aid information; and general institution information, including privacy of student records, services for students with disabilities, educational programs, accreditations, costs, computer use and copyright infringement policies, student demographic information, price of attendance, refund and withdrawal policies, teacher preparation information, student financial aid (assistance that is available from federal, state, local, and institutional programs; federal student financial aid penalties for drug law violations; and student loan information), health and safety information, student outcome information (retention rate, graduation rate, job placement, etc.), our intercollegiate athletic program participation rates, financial support data, and voter registration information.
Visit us
The best way to experience our community is to visit us on campus and see for yourself what makes WashU so special. Schedule an in-person campus visit.
Add to your contacts
Undergraduate Admissions
admissions.washu.edu
admissions@wustl.edu
314-935-6000 | 800-638-0700 Student Financial Services financialaid.washu.edu financialaid@wustl.edu
314-935-5900 | 888-547-6670
Washington University in St. Louis encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The university does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Applicants with a prior criminal history will not be automatically disqualified from consideration for admission. Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to the Office of Institutional Equity, Washington University in St. Louis, MSC 1190-853-03, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130.
Our University Police Department is available 24/7. Each year we publish Safety and Security, a brochure detailing what to do and whom to contact in an emergency, as well as publishing our federally required annual security and fire safety reports, containing campus crime and fire statistics, and key university policies and procedures. You may access the Safety and Security brochure at police.wustl.edu/campus-security-act-compliance/, or a paper copy will be provided to you upon request.
