Washington University

Washington University in St. Louis (also known as WashU, or WUSTL) is a private research university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1853, and named after George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all 50 U.S. states and more than 120 countries.

History

Washington University was conceived by 17 St. Louis business, political, and religious leaders concerned by the lack of institutions of higher learning in the Midwest. The university's first chancellor was Joseph Gibson Hoyt.

Campus

The main campus is located in the western part of St. Louis, adjacent to Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World's Fair. The Danforth Campus, named after chancellor and benefactor William H. Danforth, is home to the majority of academic and administrative departments.

Academics

Washington University is made up of seven graduate and undergraduate schools that encompass a broad range of academic fields. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

Schools

• College of Arts & Sciences
• School of Medicine
• School of Engineering & Applied Science
• Olin Business School
• Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
• School of Law
• Brown School of Social Work

Student life

Washington University has a vibrant student life, with over 300 student groups, numerous fraternities and sororities, and a strong tradition of volunteerism and community service.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Bears, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III as members of the University Athletic Association.

Notable alumni

Washington University counts many notable individuals among its alumni, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and members of the National Academies of Science.