The University Community
Established in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis is an independent, nondenominational institution with a total enrollment of more than 12,000. The Hilltop Campus is architecturally characterized by collegiate Gothic buildings clad in red granite, enclosing quiet courtyards and tree-lined walks. It is a short walk from the University City Loop, where many guaduate students live -- a thriving commercial/cultural area with over 100 shops, restaurants, and performance venues.
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For most of our history, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the University as a whole have remained near the forefront of American higher education. The University was on the first list of accredited institutions of higher education published by the North Central Association and was one of the first schools west of the Mississippi River elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. The Graduate School is a charter member of both the Association of Graduate Schools and the Council of Graduate Schools.
The Department of Anthropology is located on the Hilltop Campus of the University (see map), which also houses other departments in Arts & Sciences. The medical school complex is located on the Medical Campus at the opposite end of Forest Park.
The Hilltop Campus lies at the western city limit of St. Louis, bordered by Forest Park, one of the nation's largest municipal parks, and by the predominantly residential communities of Clayton and University City. This location provides easy access to the rich and varied cultural offerings of St. Louis, as well as the peacefulness and convenience of a green, uncongested suburban setting.
St. Louis enjoys a low cost of living and an excellent housing market. A wide variety of housing is available within walking distance or a short drive of campus. Rents begin around $450 per month and average $500-600 per month.
Washington University's Apartment Referral Service maintains a list of accommodations available in the neighborhood. It also operates a "Roommate Search" service. Students are encouraged to contact the Apartment Referral Service (Campus Box 1075) at (314) 935-5092 to begin their search for housing before they arrive on campus.
In 2001-02, the Department of Anthropology had about 40 students in residence, evenly divided among the three subdisciplines. An additional 12 students were actively conducting fieldwork in two states and more than nine foreign countries. Within the department, about 75 percent of the graduate students were women, and about 8 percent were foreign nationals.
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