Are WashU students smart?

Yes, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) students are widely considered very smart, reflected in WashU's high national rankings, rigorous academics, and selective admissions, attracting top students from diverse backgrounds who thrive in a challenging yet collaborative environment with extensive resources.

Which Ivy League is the smartest?

Based on a comparison of rankings across different sources, the best Ivy League school in 2024-25 is Harvard, followed by Princeton, and UPenn. Crimson Education's innovative cross-yield rankings offer a slightly different view, with Harvard still ranked 1st, followed by Princeton 2nd, Yale 3rd, and UPenn 7th.

Is WashU considered prestigious?

Yes, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is very prestigious, consistently ranking in the top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, known as a "Hidden Ivy" for its elite academics, selective admissions, strong research, and top programs in medicine (WashUMed), business, and STEM, often grouped with other top-tier private universities like Northwestern, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.
 

How rich are WashU students?

The median family income of a student from WashU is $272,000, and 84% come from the top 20 percent. About 1% of students at WashU came from a poor family but became a rich adult.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

PROS and CONS of WASHU in ST. LOUIS

Is WashU as good as ivy?

Yes, WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is widely considered as good as many Ivy League schools, often called a "Hidden Ivy" or "New Ivy" due to its selective admissions, top-tier academics, strong research, and excellent career outcomes, with some rankings placing it even above lower-tier Ivies in certain metrics or specific program strengths like business, biology, and pre-med, though traditional Ivy prestige and name recognition differ. 

Is WashU a party school?

Not a big party or sports school but there are other ways to enjoy campus life and meet people.

Is UW better than Harvard?

Neither University of Washington (UW) nor Harvard is definitively "better"; they excel in different areas, with Harvard often seen as more prestigious overall but UW dominating specific fields like computer science, public health, and biology, offering strong research opportunities and lower costs, while Harvard provides unparalleled global network and resources. Your choice depends heavily on your intended major, financial situation, and career goals, as UW shines in specialized STEM/public health, while Harvard offers broader, traditional prestige. 

Which college has the highest IQ students?

College ranking in the U.S. by student SAT score 2020

With an average SAT score of 1545, the California Institute of Technology was the smartest college in the United States in 2020.

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What are the 11 little Ivies?

The Little Ivies are also sub-grouped by the following consortia: The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) members: Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan and Williams.

What is the vibe at WashU?

Louis, affectionately known as "WashU," is often praised for a welcoming and collaborative community vibe. The student body is often described as friendly and supportive, rather than competitive.

Is WashU difficult to get into?

Getting into Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is extremely difficult, as it's a highly selective university with low acceptance rates (around 12%) and requires exceptional academic performance, with admitted students typically having high GPAs (around 4.19) and top SAT/ACT scores (mid 1500s SAT, 33-35 ACT), alongside impressive extracurriculars and compelling personal essays, especially if applying Early Decision. 

What percent of WashU is black?

At Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), Black or African American students make up around 8-9% of the undergraduate population, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with official WashU data showing 8.9% for undergraduates and 7.2% for the total university, while other reports place it near 9% for undergraduates.
 

What is the #1 party university?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party college in the U.S., according to Niche data, holding onto the top spot from the previous year, followed closely by institutions like Florida State University and Tulane University, with rankings based on student surveys and campus party scenes. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Alabama, University of Wisconsin, and University of Southern California (USC). 

Why is WashU so prestigious?

WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) is prestigious due to its strong academics and research, high rankings, excellent student resources like top-rated dorms and food, a beautiful campus, and successful alumni network, all supported by a significant endowment, leading to elite status and strong career outcomes, particularly in business, medicine, and STEM. Its selectivity and increasing reputation place it among national leaders, even without being an Ivy League school.
 

Is WashU a dry campus?

Washington University strictly prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of controlled substances or alcohol on University property or as a part of any University activity.

Is WashU preppy?

Yes. The vibe is generally preppy, overachieving, but friendly.

What is the whitest ivy?

Based on their data, Dartmouth has the highest white-identifying student population, and the lowest population of all other identities, save multi-racial and Native American.

What is the easiest little ivy to get into?

The "easiest" Little Ivy to get into depends on your definition, but schools like Union College, Lafayette College, and Connecticut College generally have higher acceptance rates (around 40-50% or more) compared to highly selective ones like Williams or Amherst (often 7-10%), making them more accessible target schools for strong applicants. However, all Little Ivies are selective, so "easiest" is relative; look for schools with acceptance rates above 20-30% if you're aiming for the less exclusive end.
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What major is WashU good for?

Most Popular Majors

• Computer Science. 181 Graduates.
• Finance. 150 Graduates.
• Research and Experimental Psychology. 135 Graduates.
• Economics. 127 Graduates.
• Mechanical Engineering. 103 Graduates.
• Anthropology. 92 Graduates.
• Biology. 83 Graduates.
• Political Science and Government. 75 Graduates.

Does WashU have a valedictorian?

To add onto that— everyone graduating with a 4.0 after 8 semesters is also considered a valedictorian (at least in McKelvey).