Since arriving on campus in August, first-year students have participated in service projects, joined student organizations and forayed into academic studies.
In all, the Class of 2013 has embraced the opportunity to become active members of the Washington University community, said Eric Ajieren, a first-year student from Houston.
“I’ve seen so many of us going out to explore new things, to try things that we think sound interesting, and to meet new people,” said Ajieren, who plans to double-major in computer science in the School of Engineering and Spanish in Arts & Sciences.
“I’m really looking forward to exploring even more of what the campus has to offer,” he said.
The approximately 1,500 members of the freshman class were selected from more than 23,000 applicants, and approximately half are female and half male.
Nearly all the freshmen graduated in the top 10 percent of their high-school class, and more than 60 percent traveled at least 500 miles from their hometowns to WUSTL.
“It’s great to welcome these incredibly talented students to campus after working with them through the admissions process,” said Julie Shimabukuro, director of admissions.
“Many of our admissions officers attended convocation, and we were impressed by the energy and enthusiasm these freshmen have for the University,” Shimabukuro said. “It was really fun to see, and they will make great contributions to our community.”
Ajieren, who also plans to minor in creative writing, said others in the WUSTL community — especially upperclass students — have “gone out of their way” to offer assistance and guidance during the freshman class’ first month at the University.
“So many of them have awesome open-door policies to offer advice or give support,” Ajieren said, “and it really solidifies the community feeling.”