You've probably heard the rumors. People think Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is just a "pre-med factory" or a Midwestern backup for Ivy League hopefuls. Honestly? That’s a pretty lazy take. While it’s true that their biology and chemistry departments are basically legendary, the reality of Washington University in St Louis majors is a lot more chaotic—in a good way.
Most students aren't just picking one box and sitting in it for four years. They’re mixing things like Dance and Systems Engineering. It sounds like a lot, and it is. But that’s the vibe here.
The "Pre-Med" Myth vs. Reality
If you walk across the Danforth Campus, you’re going to run into a lot of people who say they’re "pre-health." It’s basically the default setting for a huge chunk of the freshman class. But here’s the thing: "Pre-med" isn't actually a major.
You can major in literally anything—English, Art History, even Jazz Studies—and still be on the pre-med track. Most people gravitate toward the Biology or Neuroscience programs because the research opportunities at the WashU School of Medicine are insane. We’re talking about undergrads getting their names on published papers before they can legally buy a beer.
However, the tide is shifting. Computer Science has exploded in popularity. It’s now one of the most common Washington University in St Louis majors, partly because the McKelvey School of Engineering is pouring money into AI and cybersecurity.
- Biology: Still the king, specifically the "Genetics" and "Cellular" tracks.
- Computer Science: The fast-rising challenger.
- Psychology: Specifically the "Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology" (PNP) program, which is a total brain-melt of a major that people love.
The Olin "Bubble" and Business Savvy
Then there’s the Olin Business School. People call it a bubble because Olin students sometimes feel like they live in Knight Hall. But you can't argue with the results. If you’re looking at Finance or Strategic Management, Olin is a powerhouse.
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What’s interesting is how they’ve integrated the "Business+Other" mindset. They have this joint degree program in Business and Computer Science that is incredibly hard to get into but basically guarantees you a job at a top-tier tech firm or a hedge fund.
Why the PNP Major is Actually the Coolest Thing There
Let’s talk about PNP for a second. It stands for Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology. It’s one of those unique Washington University in St Louis majors that you don't really find anywhere else in the same way.
Basically, you’re studying how the mind works from three different angles. One day you’re arguing about Kant’s ethics, and the next you’re looking at fMRI scans of a brain reacting to stimuli. It’s interdisciplinary in a way that isn't just a buzzword. It’s hard. It’s weird. And it’s quintessentially WashU.
Sam Fox and the "Creative" Side of St. Louis
Don't ignore the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. People often forget that WashU has one of the best Architecture and Communication Design programs in the country.
The studio culture is intense. Like, "sleeping-on-a-beanbag-next-to-your-model" intense. But if you want a major that blends technical skill with actual artistic theory, this is where you go. The Fashion Design major is also surprisingly robust, often sending graduates straight to big houses in New York or Paris.
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Navigating the "Beyond Boundaries" Program
For the students who can’t decide—and let’s be real, that’s a lot of 18-year-olds—there’s the Beyond Boundaries program. You don’t even pick a school (like Engineering or Arts & Sciences) in your first year.
Instead, you take classes on "big problems" like climate change or aging populations. You’re forced to see how different Washington University in St Louis majors interact. It’s a bit of an experimental sandbox. It’s not for everyone—some people want to just dive into Organic Chemistry and be done with it—but for the "polymath" types, it’s a dream.
Acceptance Rates and the "Major" Strategy
Here is a bit of a reality check. While WashU doesn't officially admit solely by major, the school you apply to matters.
- Arts & Sciences: The largest, with the most flexibility.
- McKelvey Engineering: Looking for high math scores and "tinkerer" energy.
- Olin Business: Very competitive, looking for leadership and "spike" activities.
- Sam Fox: You need a portfolio. Period. No matter how good your SAT is, if your art isn't there, you aren't getting in.
The overall acceptance rate has been hovering around 11% to 12% lately. It’s steep. Applying Early Decision (ED) is basically the only way to significantly boost those odds, as the ED acceptance rate is often double the Regular Decision rate.
Careers: Does the Major Actually Matter?
Kinda. But also not really.
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WashU has a massive career center that is obsessed with "outcomes." If you major in Finance, you’re probably heading to New York or Chicago. If you’re in Computer Science, it’s the West Coast or the growing tech hub right here in St. Louis (Cortex Innovation Community).
But the school is big on the Liberal Arts foundation. They want their engineers to know how to write and their poets to understand data. That’s why you’ll see Washington University in St Louis majors in things like Classics or Religious Studies heading off to top-tier law schools or even management consulting.
Real Talk: The Hardest Majors
If you want to keep your GPA a perfect 4.0, maybe don't major in Chemical Engineering or Physics. The "weed-out" classes are real. General Chemistry (GenChem) is a rite of passage that brings students from every major together in a shared bond of suffering.
On the flip side, majors in the Social Sciences or Humanities offer more room for elective exploration, which is why so many people double major. It’s almost a status symbol at WashU to have two majors and a minor. It’s a lot of work, but that’s the culture.
Actionable Next Steps for Future Students
If you're serious about looking into these programs, don't just read the brochure.
- Audit a class: If you visit, try to sit in on a PNP or Global Studies lecture.
- Check the "Bulletins": Look at the actual course requirements for a major. Some have 30 units, some have 70. That's a huge difference in your free time.
- Talk to a "Real" Student: Use LinkedIn or Instagram to find someone in a major you like. Ask them about the "GenChem" curve or the studio culture. They'll give you the truth.
- Look at "Secondary" Majors: WashU allows you to have a major in one school and a "second major" in another without all the extra core requirements. It’s the ultimate "life hack" for getting a diverse education.
Basically, WashU is a place for people who are a little bit "extra." Whether you’re deep into Environmental Analysis or trying to decode Econometrics, the options are there. Just don't expect it to be easy.
To move forward with your research, you should compare the specific credit requirements of your top three major choices using the WashU Course Bulletin. This will show you exactly how much room you'll have for "fun" electives versus mandatory lab hours or prerequisites. Understanding the "unit load" early on is the best way to avoid burnout during your sophomore year. Regardless of what you choose, the flexibility of the curriculum is designed to let you pivot if you realize your heart isn't actually in organic chemistry after all.