Welcome to Washington University in St. Louis

This is the accessibility version designed specifically for users needing extra accessibility features.
Feel free to check out the original experience here.

Admissions and Aid

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Washington University! We're excited for you to see our campus and discover the great traditions, programs, and experiences WashU has to offer. Your visit starts at the Gary M. Sumers Welcome Center on the East End of campus. Here you can learn more about admissions requirements and the process of applying at WashU. This is also where you'll find our Student Financial Services office. We know that finances are a big consideration, but we never want them to be a barrier. That's why our staff is here to educate students about scholarships, grants, loans, and work study opportunities. Before we get started, let me explain the many ways you can explore our beautiful space. -You can click on the forward facing arrow to start walking around. -You can jump to the next stop by clicking on the "Next" button. -Now, if you already know where you want to go, you can select any location by using the list OR by clicking directly on the map. -Lastly, remember that you can explore any particular location in more detail by clicking the 360, Photos, or Video icons.

History and Tradition

Tour stop audio transcript

Nobel Prize winners, celebrities, CEOs, governors, and senators have called WashU home throughout the years. Founded in 1853 and chartered on George Washington’s birthday, hence the name Washington University, our rich history and cherished traditions continue to grow and evolve with each class. Starting on your first day, through your academic career, and beyond, you’ll make your own history at WashU from convocation to graduation. Catch your favorite band at the WILD concert series, take home gold at the Residential Community Olympics, and so much more. Who knows, maybe our next great tradition starts with you.

College of Arts & Sciences

Tour stop audio transcript

Interested in Literature? Political Science? Math? PreHealth? Maybe even all of the above? Our College of Arts & Sciences has tons of opportunities—take a class with a Guggenheim Fellow, work in the lab of a NASA researcher, collaborate with a Mellon Scholar on your own research—you can purse whatever piques your interest. But why settle for just one area of study? Our Ampersand Programs offer interdisciplinary courses, allowing you to explore a variety of paths at once. Plus, with a seven to one student-to-faculty ratio, smaller labs or discussion groups to accompany each lecture, and an average class size of just 24, you’ll always have the hands-on attention you need to help guide you through your studies.

McKelvey School of Engineering

Tour stop audio transcript

Coding, creating, constructing—it all happens here at McKelvey School of Engineering, home to a wide range of majors from environmental engineering to data science to mechanical engineering to WashU’s largest major, computer science. Sixty percent of McKelvey undergrads engage in research using our state-of-the-art facilities like the new Spartan Makerspace, which includes 3D printers, laser cutters, power tools, and more. McKelvey Engineers are truly well-rounded with many students pursuing second majors or minors in a non-engineering program. Our students thrive because they take advantage of all the opportunities WashU offers beyond the classroom, like EnCouncil where students network with recruiters from companies around the country. We also foster a student community that’s supportive and solves problems through teamwork.

Olin Business School

Tour stop audio transcript

Balancing focused learning with freedom to explore, the highly accredited Olin Business School develops leaders with a values-based, data-driven approach to decision-making, equipped to change the world, for good. From day one, you’ll dive into your business courses with applicable, hands-on research and applied knowledge—and not just in the classroom. Olin offers real-world experience, from all over the world. Seriously, more than 60% of Olin undergrads study abroad. On campus, your four-year career coach will help you find internships, meet alumni and connect with hiring managers. Those connections count, too—over 90% of Olin students attain internships during their four years.

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Tour stop audio transcript

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts is home to the College of Art, the College of Architecture, and the Kemper Art Museum. The School features dozens of maker spaces, including a digital fabrication lab; a media studio; wood and metal shops; a printmaking and book arts suite; and dedicated studios for ceramics, textiles, photography, and more. Students from across campus enjoy the relaxing outdoors in the sculpture garden, and studying with friends in Kuehner Court, which features a two-story green wall with over 5,000 living plants! All WashU students enjoy free admission to the Kemper Art Museum, which has a world-renowned collection and exhibits work from the most exciting contemporary artists practicing today.

Graduate & Professional Programs

Tour stop audio transcript

If you’re pursuing a master’s degree, or doctoral or professional program, WashU offers three Graduate Schools and fully-accredited graduate programs across all our divisions. Our School of Medicine, Brown School of Social Work, and School of Law located in Anheuser-Busch Hall, award hundreds of advanced degrees annually. We’ll help you find financial aid resources, research opportunities, and graduate student organizations to keep you connected and focused while you pursue your field of study. The Liberman Center, located inside the Danforth University Center, or the DUC, provides dedicated space for graduate students to collaborate, unwind, and participate in workshops and programs.

School of Medicine

Tour stop audio transcript

Ranked among the top medical schools in the country and just two metro stops away in the Central West End, Washington University School of Medicine is a leader in care, education, and research. Our rigorous programs include medicine, allied health, public health, and biomedical science and are supported by a student-centered environment to bring out your best. Once you earn your graduate degree, continue learning at our nationally ranked teaching hospitals, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s while following in the footsteps of groundbreaking medical professionals and 19 Nobel Prize winners from WashU that led breakthroughs in chemistry, physiology and more.

Research

Tour stop audio transcript

Research happens in every corner of WashU. In fact, each year more than 3,000 research projects take place in labs, lecture halls, or at one of our 12 libraries, like Olin Library you see here. Olin is the main library on Danforth campus and houses collections in humanities, social sciences, and even an early version of the Declaration of Independence. WashU’s dedication to collaboration across fields uncovers connections and commonalities to tackle some of the world’s most challenging problems. And our innovative facilities and world-renowned faculty will help you dive into research with all the resources to make incredible discoveries.

Residential Life

Tour stop audio transcript

Fully equipped with lounges, kitchens, study rooms, and more, WashU’s Residential Colleges provide an excellent place to live and learn. Everything about college is new, so students receive support from staff who live and work in the residence halls. Located on the South 40, 10 residential colleges house all first-year and many second-year students. Upper-class students may choose from a variety of living options in on and off campus housing, including apartment buildings filled with amenities.

Dining Services

Tour stop audio transcript

Whether you’re living on campus or just need a snack between classes, dining services provides sustainable options from grab-and-go to fine dining. All dining centers are al-a-carte, so you only pay for what you eat, and if you’re using your meal plan or cashless Bear Bucks, it’s all conveniently loaded onto your student ID. You’ll find accommodations for a wide range of dietary restrictions and lifestyles, including vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, and Halal ‒ all clearly marked at each station. The DUC that you see here, is home to our main dining hall and a popular gathering place for WashU students.

Athletics

Tour stop audio transcript

Excited to show your school spirit? Our Division III Bears have brought home 20+ championships to WashU. Constructed for the 1904 games, Francis Olympic Field hosts football, soccer, and track and field. But it’s not just for watching. Outside of games and practice times, students come to jog, use the field, or hang out in the bleachers. And the Field House isn’t just home to volleyball and basketball. It has racquetball and handball courts, an Olympic pool, and has even hosted presidential debates. When you’re ready to get into the game, we have multiple intramural and club teams to join.

Health and Wellness

Tour stop audio transcript

Whether you’re looking to break a sweat, feeling under the weather, or need to talk, WashU has comprehensive support for all your health needs. The Sumers Recreation Center you see here includes exercise machines, free weights, a pool, and basketball courts, plus offers yoga, kickboxing, and cycling classes. If you’re experiencing health challenges, Habif Health and Wellness Center has medical professionals to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They also offer group counseling, mental health check-ins, therapy appointments, labs, x-ray equipment and a pharmacy. If you need additional support, we’ll help connect you with nearby treatment options in our community.

Student Success

Tour stop audio transcript

Your life in and out of the classroom are critically connected. That’s why our Office for Student Success offers data-driven programs tailored to helping students from diverse backgrounds of thought, experiences, and perspectives achieve their full potential. You’ll find useful resources including our Deneb STARS community and TRIO services for low-income or first-generation students, merit-based scholarships through our Office of Scholars Programs (OSP), and grants and scholarships from our Student Success and Student Athlete Opportunity Funds. There are also numerous mentorship programs, disability resources, and financial assistance opportunities to help cover extra-curriculars, community service, mental health services and more.

Student Life

Tour stop audio transcript

At WashU, you can pursue interests and find community beyond the classroom. With more than 450 active student groups on campus, there are endless service, sports, professional, performance, and sorority and fraternity organizations to explore. The hub of student life is the Student Union, which plans events including the WILD concert series, student tailgates, and speaker series. You can also check out the walls of the Underpass connecting the South 40 to the main campus, which are painted with upcoming events from student groups. Or attend the Activities Fair each semester which showcases different campus organizations you can join.

Diversity & Inclusion

Tour stop audio transcript

WashU is built around collaboration. To ensure all students feel comfortable living, learning, and working together, we’ve invested in a framework to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. From diversifying our faculty, to offering training, student groups, and workshops, we’re creating a campus that drives positive change. Inside the DUC, you’ll find the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, a physical space dedicated to advocating for students from underrepresented or marginalized communities through partnerships and dialogue. And at our Gephardt Institute, students, faculty, and staff work together to develop robust, high-quality civic engagement opportunities on campus and in our community.

Performing Arts & Music

Tour stop audio transcript

Arts and music abound at WashU, whether you’re taking courses or taking in a show, we have opportunities and in-depth instruction around theater, dance, and performance in our College of Arts & Sciences. Students write, act in, direct, design, and produce performances at Edison Theater, dance everything from hip-hop to ballet at Washington University Dance Theater or hit the high notes at E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall during musical or vocal performances. If you’d rather work behind the scenes, WashU has ample opportunities and workspaces where you can create props, sets, and costumes for our next big show.

Student-Run Businesses & Entrepreneurship

Tour stop audio transcript

We encourage students to take on challenges bigger than themselves. Nowhere is that more evident than the Skandalaris Center, home to entrepreneurship on campus. You’ll have countless opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills, including our Hatchery course, Olin’s BIG IdeaBounce®, and the Arch Grants business plan competition. Plus, our Student Entrepreneurial Program, or StEP, lets you open and run your own business along our Gregg Storefronts ‒ testing your model while providing services for your fellow Bears. You can also tap into the thriving startup scene in our community, with top incubators like Cortex, T-REX, and CIC St. Louis.

Sustainability

Tour stop audio transcript

At WashU, we’re building a strong future through our students and our sustainable practices. Led by the Office of Sustainability located in Schnuck Pavilion, we offer student organizations, courses, and events around reducing environmental impact. We’re the first university in North America to ban the sale of bottled water and we’ve placed composting bins and water-filling stations throughout campus to increase sustainability. At Dining Services, you’ll find reusable or compostable packaging and utensils, and ethically sourced, locally produced food options. You’re studying in sustainable buildings too. Campus is home to 28 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified projects.

Saint Louis

Tour stop audio transcript

On the banks of the Mississippi River and nestled beneath the Gateway Arch, St. Louis is filled with culture, history, and innovation. Stop at The Delmar Loop close to campus for shopping, dining, or a concert at the Pageant. There’s also the Saint Louis aquarium, free zoo, multiple art and history museums, major companies with internship opportunities, Forest Park right across from campus, and countless restaurants, performance venues, and nightlife opportunities for you to experience. Sports fan? Use your free Metro Pass (or U-Pass), from campus to catch Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey, or our MLS team kicking off in 2023.

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames