Re: Calling All Fall 2010 Washington U. (Olin) Applicants!
[#permalink]
12 Jan 2010, 09:44
I visited campus for my interview. I am originally from St. Louis (moved up to Chicago for undergrad and never moved back) so the area is familiar to me although the school is not.
My impressions of Olin should be taken with a grain of salt because there were no classes in session when I went. So it was really, really quiet.
That being said, the biggest thing I noticed is how friendly everyone is. They really made me feel comfortable - I got lost on campus and ducked into a building and no less than 3 people greeted me, instructed me where to go, etc. When I finally found Simon Hall, I was peering into classrooms and I guess looking lost, and a student approached me asking me if I needed help finding something. He directed me to the "DUCK" to grab a cup of tea to settle my nerves before the interview - it seemed to me to be the student union and was excellent - sitting right next to me happened to be 2 finance professors who were in deep discussion and this was a great impression for me of the approachability and dedication of the professors.
The interview was about an hour and 15 minutes, and afterwards my interviewer walked me around the building. The building is quite small compared to other schools I've looked at, but is similar with regards to technology, classrooms and meeting rooms, courtyard, etc.
Also, as a St. Louis native, the area in which Wash U is located is young, full of trendy restaurants and shops. Also, for athletic people, Forest Park is nearby and is great for running, biking, etc.