I've come across Washington University in St. Louis while researching colleges, but I'm not entirely sure where it's located. Is it in the heart of the city or more on the outskirts? I'm trying to get a sense of the campus location and what the surrounding area is like. Would you say it's urban, suburban, or something else entirely? How does the location impact student life?
You're definitely on the right track considering the location of the college as this can greatly impact your college experience. Washington University in St. Louis (often referred to as WashU) is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The campus is quite beautiful with gothic architecture and lots of green spaces.
The university is close to the center of the city but still maintains its own distinct college campus feel. This means that while it has urban connections, it doesn't feel as overwhelming or overly busy as some city-center campuses can. Technically, it is in an area called Clayton, which sports a real suburban feel — it's quiet, safe, and residential.
Despite being a suburban campus, the location still provides a multitude of opportunities for students as St. Louis City is just minutes away. This gives you access to museums, restaurants, cultural events, internships, and job opportunities in the city. Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S., is right next to the campus and has a zoo, art museum, history museum, outdoor theatre, and lots of sports fields and walking or biking paths.
WashU also schedules a range of shuttles to local spots like grocery stores and the famous Delmar Loop, an exciting student-favorite neighborhood with a variety of eateries, shops, and entertainment venues.
In all, I would say the setting strikes a balance between an insulated suburb-like environment and the vibrancy of a major city.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.