What makes WashU so unique?

WashU stands out for its unique blend of elite academics, collaborative culture, and vibrant St. Louis setting, offering deep interdisciplinary study across colleges (Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Business, Design, Brown School) with strong pre-med/research opportunities, a supportive "work hard, play hard" vibe, and extensive campus/community engagement. Its "Hidden Ivy" status comes from top-tier resources and faculty (including Nobel laureates) combined with accessible, nurturing student-focused support, fostering innovation and a strong sense of belonging.

What is special about WashU?

We are among the world's leaders in teaching, research, patient care, and service to society. We are committed to learning and exploration, to discovery and impact. Together, we explore our intellectual passions and challenge the unknown.

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.
 

What makes St. Louis university unique?

Louis, Missouri, with a campus in Madrid, Spain, is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. Founded in 1818, SLU is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

What's unique about the University of Washington?

As one of the world's most innovative universities, we know the importance of a global perspective. We're proud to deliver on our mission of education, discovery and public service — with programs and research across Washington state and across every continent.

What Makes Olin Unique

Is WashU as good as an 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. 

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 is the lowest rated university in the US?

There's no single "worst" university, as it depends on criteria like graduation rates, job placement, or value, but Florida Memorial University, Grambling State, Fayetteville State, Lindsey Wilson, and several for-profit schools like DeVry/University of Phoenix often appear on lists due to low outcomes, high debt, or questionable practices, with factors like poor ROI, low graduation rates, and loan default rates heavily influencing these rankings**. 

What is considered the Harvard of the Midwest?

"Harvard of the Midwest" is a nickname that's often applied to several top Midwestern universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and Notre Dame.

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.

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.
 

Why does Gen Z not go to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

Is WashU a big party school?

Not a big party or sports school but there are other ways to enjoy campus life and meet people. I would so highly recommend applying! After a horrible experience in high school, Washington University was wonderful. The students were far more diverse and accepting of differences.

Was Harry Potter filmed at the University of Washington?

No, the Harry Potter films were not actually shot at the University of Washington (UW), but its Suzzallo Library's Reading Room is famously nicknamed the "Harry Potter Room" because its stunning gothic architecture, high ceilings, and grand staircase look so much like Hogwarts, inspiring many fans and even UW exhibits. The popular comparison leads many to believe it was a filming location, but it's primarily known for its resemblance to the wizarding world, not for being featured in the movies.
 

What's the #1 university in the US?

There isn't one single #1 university in the U.S., as rankings vary by source, but Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard University consistently appear at the very top, often trading #1 spots in major lists like U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and Forbes. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

What are the little 3 colleges?

The "Little Three" refers to three prestigious New England liberal arts colleges—Amherst College, Wesleyan University, and Williams College—known for fierce rivalries and strong academics, analogous to the Ivy League's "Big Three" (Harvard, Princeton, Yale). They form part of the larger "Little Ivies" group and compete in the NESCAC conference, with championships in numerous sports, making them a significant part of intercollegiate athletics history.
 

What is the easiest University to get into in the USA?

Easiest Colleges to Get Into in the US Based on Acceptance Rate

• Lincoln University (PA) - Acceptance rate: 86%
• Martin University (IN) - Acceptance rate: 86%
• Southern Arkansas University (AR) - Acceptance rate: 86%
• University of Texas at Tyler (TX) - Acceptance rate: 86%

Is WashU preppy?

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

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 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.

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. 

What college has 100% acceptance?

Colleges with a 100% admission rate, often called "open admissions," focus on providing access, accepting most or all applicants who meet basic requirements, including Broward College, Utah Valley University, Cameron University, and Montana State University--Billings. Many other schools, like University of Mississippi and Nevada-Las Vegas, have acceptance rates above 90%, while selective institutions like Harvard and Caltech have rates below 10%.
 

Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Duke?

While both are extremely selective, Duke is generally considered slightly harder to get into than Northwestern based on recent overall acceptance rates, with Duke's falling a bit lower (around 5-7%) compared to Northwestern's (around 7-9%), though both schools admit exceptional students and rates fluctuate yearly, making them very comparable in difficulty.