New Program: The Cornerstone Cup
The Office of First-Year Experience and Family Programs (FYE-FP) is excited to announce a new program called the Cornerstone Cup. The mission of the Cornerstone Cup is to encourage and reward freshmen students to become involved and engaged with campus life, build community, increase Webster spirit and create camaraderie between the freshmen class.
The First-Year Experience: Your Success Starts Here
Your first year of college is your foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth. With more than 100 areas of study, extensive study abroad opportunities and a rich history of diversity and accessibility, first-year students can tailor their Webster experience to be as unique as they are.
Go for Success!
Transcript
[Cymbals in rhythm music crescendo to opening of video.]
Text on screen: First-Year Success
[Image of Interdisciplinary Science Building, walkway and campus light pole flags with Webster University logo.]
Text on screen: CB BROWN, ACTING MAJOR
[Brown is in University Center’s Sunnen Lounge, with windows along the side wall in the background.]
Brown: Webster has been awesome for me this first year. It feels very welcoming. The size feels very inclusive. It feels like a home.
[New students and Webster students in team shirts, helping with move-in days at beginning of the semester. Big boxes full of dorm room supplies in bins being moved and carried into the housing buildings.]
[Several images of smiling students outside on beautiful campus flash across screen.]
Text on screen: Very inclusive
[One student walking on sidewalk through the central quad area. Trees and grass very green and thick. Student has a backpack on. There are Webster University flags on the light pole fixtures along the walkway with the words: Go! Go! Gorloks.]
Text on Screen: There’s so much to do
[A professor and a student work together in one of the labs in Browning Hall. There is a lot of equipment, beakers, measuring tools, plastic bags and plastic boxes full of chemistry supplies on a long table. Both professor and student have on gloves while handling their specimens. The walls are lined with windows, and a parking lot can be seen through the glass.]
Text on Screen: Samantha
Text on Screen: International Relations
[Image of Samantha talking to the camera and smiling.]
Samantha: There's just so much to do on campus and so many classes going on, and just navigating college life is such an exciting experience because you're really on your own but that's the good part, right?
[Group of students sitting together outside listening to each other’s stories. Everyone is smiling.]
[Two students walking and talking outside on campus.]
[Three students walking together outside Browning Hall.]
[Three students taking a selfie outside.]
[Two students talking at an outside orientation activity outside on campus.]
[Brown is again in Sunnen Lounge in the University Center.]
Brown: None of us know what we're doing. We're all kind of coming into this new world together and as a first year, I feel, I feel like Webster's like the perfect freshman school. It's small. It's easy to get used to.
Text on screen: It’s small
The food is pretty decent. Like even like the meal plan is good to learn how to budget.
[20 or more students enjoying meals and talking in one of the eateries on campus.]
[Samantha talking, while facing camera.]
Samantha: I originally wasn't planning on staying in town for college, but staying in St Louis was probably the best decision that I could have made because I feel at home here. Webster's a really great area for college because it's small.
[Footage of professor talking to a student at a little table in an academic building hallway. Laptop is open on table.]
[Footage of student walking on campus with Webster University banners flying in the wind and sunlight from the sun setting on one side.]
[A long line of students walk along the side of an academic building, talking and looking at their cell phones.]
Text on screen: I feel at home here
[Aerial drone shot of campus facing southeast. Part of Loretto Hall, Webster Hall and Maria Hall are in the foreground. Big Bend Boulevard and Edgar Road and a parking lot are beyond them. Sverdrup Academic Building is seen across the street. The Loretto Hilton Center, the Community Music School, the East Academic Building and the Interdisciplinary Building can be seen next. Beyond that are Emerson Library, the University Center, the student housing apartments and housing dorms, the student club house and the four-story parking garage that houses Public Safety, the bookstore and other academic advising offices, surrounded by a lot of trees and grass. Some trees are turning colors as the fall season gets underway.
[Samantha is talking, while facing camera.]
[Three students walk to and from classes between the East Academic Building and the Community Music School. More students are off in the distance, also walking across campus.]
Samantha: There are a lot of like shops and restaurants around that you can walk to but also, it's more of a quiet neighborhood.
[A student is swinging in a hammock. One student is sitting in the grass. Two students are standing in the group as they all talk and visit outside. There are books, cell phones, purses and bags on the ground around them.]
Brown: I've met some of the best people in my whole life here. Yeah, so my first-year experience has been amazing.
Footage from the top of Emerson Library looks down on the quad area where more than 100 students have gathered to form a large “W” in the lawn. The Gorlok mascot stands in front of them. They are all looking up at the camera cheering and waving.
[Applause rings out and gets louder.]
[Bouncy instrumental music plays as Webster logo appears.]
Text of Screen: Webster University
Text on screen: webster.edu
Connect with Webster on ZeeMee
On ZeeMee you will be able to:
- Meet and chat with other interested students
- Match on shared interests and passions
- Try Friend Finder to see potential roommates for the future
- Participate in live social events
The First-Year Student Application Process
Admission to Webster University is competitive. We evaluate first-year student applicants on the basis of their academic preparation, talents and interests, as well as the University’s capacity to help them achieve their educational objectives and career goals. Although first-year student candidates receive a holistic review, successful candidates for admission have typically completed a college preparatory program in high school, which includes:
- Four years of English
- At least three years of math
- At least two years of modern language
- At least two years of natural or physical science
- At least three years of social science
- Two years of academic electives
As part of our comprehensive review process, supplemental materials, as well as a personal interview, may be required prior to the determination of admissibility.
Non-Native Students: Prospective first-year students whose native or predominant language is not English may need additional English proficiency that requires them to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL). Webster offers intermediate and advanced ESL courses at the St. Louis, Athens, Geneva, Leiden, Tashkent and Vienna campuses. These courses are designated as university-level and may count toward degree requirements.
Applying to the College of Fine Arts
Each of our Fine Arts departments has additional steps as part of the admission process. After you have submitted your application to Webster University, you may request an audition/interview time or schedule a portfolio review. Dates and expectations for each are included on the department's audition/portfolio review admissions page.
Webster University’s first-year student admissions review process reflects a holistic approach as we believe an admission decision needs a comprehensive understanding of a student’s curricular and co-curricular achievements. This includes their academic abilities, review of the student’s performance in college preparatory coursework, leadership activities, interests and any other noteworthy activities. These elements allow Webster to have an inclusive view when evaluating a student’s admissions application.
First-year student applicants may choose to select Webster’s test-optional method of application. Along with submission of high school transcripts and a personal statement, students may submit additional materials that best highlights their skills, talents and likely contributions to Webster. Students selecting the test-optional path will not have their standardized test scores considered as a part of the admissions review procedure.
As with every applicant, the review process for first-year students who do not submit a standardized score is very personalized. The admissions officers review official high school transcripts (including the grading scale), the application and the applicant’s personal statement. Students completing the Common Application or the College Coalition Application, do not need an additional personal statement; as the admissions officer will review the one included in the submission of these two applications. Admissions also welcomes a resume and letters of recommendation from the student’s teachers, coaches, counselors or mentors as part the applicant’s submission.
Students electing to send standardized test results as part of the application will receive an evaluation of these items as part of the process. Test-optional applicants, as with any applicant, will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission to Webster.
- Students applying from from secondary schools or organizations that provide only narrative evaluations rather than some form of grading scale will be required to provide test scores.
- Home-school students are required to provide test scores.
The typical length of full-time undergraduate study for incoming freshman at the University is four years. Successful completion culminates in the award of a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree. Students previously enrolled at another accredited university may be eligible for transfer credit and complete the program in fewer than four years.
Pre-College Work: Freshman students are admitted to the University following the successful completion of a 12-year American high school program or its international equivalent as recognized by Webster. Webster awards credit for AP, CLEP and IB exams. More information about these and other external exams for college credit is available on the Credit by Exam webpage.
Transfer Students: Advanced standing may be awarded to transfer students whose prior academic work was completed at a regionally accredited American university or an equivalent international university as recognized by Webster.
High School Students Earning Associate Degrees: In determining if a student is considered a transfer or freshman student for admission and scholarship purposes, date of high school graduation will be the primary factor. High-achieving students enrolled in programs on community college campuses earning a high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously are considered a freshman student for purposes of Webster University admissions, scholarship award and housing policies. All University transfer credit policies will apply, so students will likely be admitted with advanced standing. Students shall submit official high school transcript as well as official college transcripts showing all college-level work attempted, along with all other requirements as outlined for freshman student admission. Students who have matriculated to a college or university post-high school graduation will be considered transfer students for admission purposes.
“At Webster, I can be the best I can be. They take you where you are. I can just be 19.”
Katy Boykin
BM in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music, ’26
First-Class Support for Your First-Year Experience
Our advisors are here to support you in every aspect of your education — from student aid to choosing coursework and taking advantage of unique local and global learning opportunities. Find the first-year student admissions counselor for your region in the list below.
Webster Family Connection
Did you know? Parents and family can connect with our community so we can provide you with the information you need about Webster, financial aid, academics and more. You can keep Webster updated with your current contact information and register for upcoming family events!
Connect your family at:
Join Webster's Global Community
All Webster students benefit from our teams of advisors, counselors, tutors and support staff. Get scheduling assistance, academic support and more, no matter where you are.
