Rohan Puthanangady, a Washington University sophomore from Massachusetts, was drawn to the medium-sized university at the heart of the country by the school’s academic strength; compared with his high school curriculum, says the business major, “the workload is way more here.”
He has come to love just about everything about the place: the food, from locally grown vegetarian to Indian and kosher fare; the faculty, as even deans invite students over for dinner; the residence halls, which come with peer and faculty mentors; and a collegial atmosphere that makes it easier to get through long nights of studying.
“The people here are incredibly down to earth and friendly,” observes Puthanangady. “There’s no sense of competitiveness.”
That feeling of support and togetherness is a common theme on the sprawling green campus located west of downtown St. Louis, about 10 miles from the iconic Gateway Arch and adjacent to Forest Park, which has acres of bike and running trails; golf and tennis facilities; art, history and science museums; and a zoo.
Two upperclass “student associates” are assigned to each freshman floor to help newcomers make a happy transition to college; peer mentors who live in the residential colleges are available for group or one-on-one academic assistance.
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You can study, sleep and still have a social life, says Vera Schulte, a sophomore from Seattle who likes to do some of her work curled up by the fireplace in Danforth University Center, near all the hubbub of the adjacent dining area. Schulte, who is majoring in philosophy, neuroscience and psychology — that’s one major — as a premed student, relies on a team of advisers to keep her on track academically: a four-year adviser, a major adviser, a residential adviser and her premed adviser.
Outside of class hours, freshmen and sophomores might well be found hanging out in the South 40, in one of the 10 residential colleges specially designed to foster community. In gardens and other gathering spaces, undergrads and faculty fellows can continue conversations started in class or simply socialize. Students often play Frisbee on the large field affectionately known as The Swamp, grab a bite at Bear’s Den or stop in at the fitness center or several student-run businesses, such as Bears Bikes or Wash-U-Wash.
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In the spring, Thurtene, a popular student-run carnival complete with rides, brings students and townspeople together on campus for several days of fun and fundraising for charity; in the fall, a widely attended event inspired by the Hindu Festival of Lights known as Diwali is hosted by Ashoka, the South Asian student association, as a way to celebrate those cultures. Students can join any of several hundred interest groups, from one dedicated to collegiate jugglers to a society for people who like to churn butter the “olde-fashioned way.” They can also join a Greek organization or play one of 33 club sports.
If campus activities don’t offer enough excitement, St. Louis serves up plenty, too, from Cardinals games at Busch Stadium to the nightlife of the Delmar Loop. In this popular section of the city, students can dine at Blueberry Hill, catch a show at Tivoli Theatre, browse through the art galleries and check out some live music.
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This story is excerpted from the U.S. News “Best Colleges 2015” guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.
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Missouri College Road Trip: Washington University in St. Louis originally appeared on usnews.com