Parents have gone home, moving boxes are put away and campus maps have been relegated to recycling bins. It’s easy to see, said freshman Bryan Lin, that the Class of 2012 has settled into life at WUSTL.
“While on campus, I am unable to tell apart who is a freshman and who isn’t,” said Lin, a first-year student from San Jose, Calif. “I think we have all become truly a part of the community.”
The 1,430 members of the freshman class — approximately 50 percent male and 50 percent female — arrived on campus in August and were chosen from more than 22,000 applicants.
The first-year students hail from nearly 20 countries and all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
“We’re delighted to have another talented group of freshmen join the Washington University community,” said Nanette Tarbouni, director of admissions. “Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious.”
First-year students already have become a vital part of the University and local communities by joining student organizations, learning and working with professors and participating in service projects.
Assistance from others in the WUSTL community, especially fellow students, made the transition easier for Lin, who plans to major in biology in Arts & Sciences.
“Since the minute I arrived on campus for move-in, I was extremely impressed and grateful for the services that upperclassmen provided,” Lin said.
“I have learned so much from their experience and help,” he said.