2006 SLU Central

[Overeducated]

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...and yes, she is very cool!

true

 

[paceac]

I have Gail Furman on the 19th of November! Regional interview. From what you say, she sounds pretty cool. Any bit of advice??? Thanks!

Hey MDCali-
What time are you interviewing on the 19th? I am interviewing the same day at 10:15.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Hey guys, does anyone have SLU's USMLE-1 pass rate? Just curious, couldn't find it anywhere. And if anyone's a current student (or if you just know for some reason), is the curriculum more lecture-based or more problem-based learning, or a combination of both? I had the regional interview so I didn't get to meet students to ask these things. Didn't want to ask the dean (my interviewer) too many questions. 😛 Also I know there's a subway running in St. Louis, is it convenient to use to get to the school from the airport?

 

[Pewl]

The subway is very convenient and it's easy to get to the airport on it.

 

[stansbury]

So I called SLU yesterday to find out if the school had made a decision on my application yet. I interviewed at SLU little more than 5 weeks ago, and I had not heard anything from them. When I called the secretary tells me that they haven't even gotten around to my file (ARRRGH!!!!!!!!!). She told me it will take 6 MORE WEEKS. This really pissed me off!!!! 😡

 

[786]

Hey I am in the same boat, they really suck. It's been the same if not longer wait for me...I hate them.

 

[size_tens]

I'm a current SLU med student so I decided to throw my $.02 into this thread. As far as admissions, the process is highly secretive and puzzling. For example applicants who are waitlisted are given no indication of their waitlist position, although they are informed that the waitlist is ranked. Luckily once you are admitted and decide to attend SLU, the administration becomes much more student friendly. For example when several med students got $100 parking tickets on campus and complained, the dean of student affairs made sure that all the tickets were waived. Little things like that go a long way over the course of 4 years. In most respects SLU is a pretty average school (ie board scores, match list). Good luck to those still waiting to hear back.

 

[Messerschmitts]

For example when several med students got $100 parking tickets on campus and complained, the dean of student affairs made sure that all the tickets were waived.

Nice! 👍 What a guy/gal! Now there's the faculty-student cooperation I'm looking for. 😀

 

[stansbury]

So people who interviewed about 6 weeks, do you know when we are suppose to hear. I have actually heard some conflicting info. Any information about decisions would be greatly appreciated.

Stansbury

 

[newdude]

Anyone going to be there TUESDAY!!!!!

 

[paceac]

I won't

 

[mdung]

I just came back from an interview and found out I got accepted. My question is, is the $100 deposit refundable? It didn't say...All it said was that the money was going to go towards your tuition.

 

[mdung]

hmm...my acceptance email says something totally different. it didnt even say that i will receive my letter of acceptance soon. it just says:

"We would appreciate receiving the official notice of your intent to register next
fall within two weeks. A deposit of $100 is required to hold your acceptance"

the intent to register is attached to the email..

I GOT IN TODAY!!! (Interview 09/26, Accepted 10/27!!!)

"Congratulations!

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted as a member of
Saint Louis University School of Medicine's entering class in August
2006. Your letter of acceptance will be sent to you shortly.

L. James Willmore, M.D.
Associate Dean
Saint Louis University School of Medicine"

 

[DrHuang]

I just came back from an interview and found out I got accepted. My question is, is the $100 deposit refundable? It didn't say...All it said was that the money was going to go towards your tuition.

yeah, im not sure either...i would think that its not refundable since they dont mention it anywhere.

 

[MDCali]

I just came back from an interview and found out I got accepted. My question is, is the $100 deposit refundable? It didn't say...All it said was that the money was going to go towards your tuition.

The 2005-2006 MSAR says it is before may 16th. Congrats!

 

[mdung]

Ok, I emailed them and they said it was refundable till May.

The 2005-2006 MSAR says it is before may 16th. Congrats!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Ok, I emailed them and they said it was refundable till May.

Cool, thanks for finding out for us! Like I always say, SLU is a good school and a fine place to be studying medicine, but...I just came back from my Case Western interview today, and let's just say: "Wow." If either they or OSU let me in I'm going to have to exercise that refund.

 

[14022]

Hey guys, does anyone have SLU's USMLE-1 pass rate? Just curious, couldn't find it anywhere. And if anyone's a current student (or if you just know for some reason), is the curriculum more lecture-based or more problem-based learning, or a combination of both?

I am a fourth-year student at SLU so I can answer some of these questions. AS far as the board-passing rate goes, the rates have been excellent over the past few years. One year 6 or 7 years ago, quite a few people failed step 1, but the admin responded aggressively and made several improvements to the curriculum with amazing results. Even though a lot of people failed that one year only, I believe all but 2 or 3 passed on the second try and most of them did above the mean, which indicated that the failing was primarily due to the poor preparation by those individuals. My class had a 95% pass rate and the class below mine was similar. The scores have been amazing as well. In the class below me, the high score was rumored to be in the 270's and I talked to several people who scored in the 240's and 250's. So people are passing, and passing incredibly comfortably.

The curriculum is my favorite part about SLU. It is a combination of lecture and problem based learning. Lectures are every day for 2 or 3 hours in the morning. Most people go to lecture but there are a handful of people who skip lecture regularly and study from their syllabus and text books. In the afternoons 2 or 3 days a week are small group activities like case discussions, computer activities, laboratory activities, etc. 1 or 2 days a week there will be a lecture in the afternoon, and you will have 1 or 2 afternoons off per week. The first year curriculum is organized by courses with anatomy/embryology, cell bio, and biochem/metabolism first semester, and genetics, microbiology/immunology, introducotry pathology, and intro pharmacology in the second semester. So there is no physiology course in the first year. The second year is organzied by organ system...8 weeks of neuro, 2 weeks of blood, 5 weeks of heart, 5 weeks of lung, etc. In each course, you learn the anatomy, phyiology, embryo, and path/pharm of that organ system. You end up revisiting a lot of info from first year during the second year. I loved the way this was organized and felt I learned a lot because of it.

 

[14022]

Hey, I'm a second year at SLU and it's my understanding that no students are on the admissions committee. I'm curious as to where you got this information.

I am a SLU student as well, and Lion-O is incorrect. I am on the admissions committee. About 10-15 students from each of the second, third, and fourth classes are on the committee. But the majority of people you meet during lunch are first and second year students who are randomly asked to come to the lunch and who are not on the admissions committee.

Unless you are a complete jerk, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The opinions of the students are rarely presented to the committee unless the applicant is being very inappropriate with the students. Some things that would prompt a student to report to the admissions committee would be things like saying racist or sexist remarks during lunch, admission of illegal activities like drug use, foul language (like dropping the f bomb a few times), etc. These things rarely occur. And if you are behaving like this either at SLU or elsewhere, if you behave this way and offend another student, even if they are not on the committee, they can always tell someone who is.

The students can also be a huge help to the applicant. For example, if a student was really nervous during the interview and did a poor job, the interviewer may question the applicant's social skills. They will often ask the opinions of the students, and most of the time the student will say something like "I ate lunch with him/her and had a pleasant conversation and have no concerns over their social skills."

So the bottom line is to always be yourself with EVERYONE you meet. I have heard of people getting denied from residency programs because the applicant was a huge jerk to the shuttle bus driver and it got back to the committee. As long as you are professional and respectful, you will not have any problems.

 

[Pewl]

I am a SLU student as well, and Lion-O is incorrect. I am on the admissions committee. About 10-15 students from each of the second, third, and fourth classes are on the committee. But the majority of people you meet during lunch are first and second year students who are randomly asked to come to the lunch and who are not on the admissions committee.

Unless you are a complete jerk, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The opinions of the students are rarely presented to the committee unless the applicant is being very inappropriate with the students. Some things that would prompt a student to report to the admissions committee would be things like saying racist or sexist remarks during lunch, admission of illegal activities like drug use, foul language (like dropping the f bomb a few times), etc. These things rarely occur. And if you are behaving like this either at SLU or elsewhere, if you behave this way and offend another student, even if they are not on the committee, they can always tell someone who is.

The students can also be a huge help to the applicant. For example, if a student was really nervous during the interview and did a poor job, the interviewer may question the applicant's social skills. They will often ask the opinions of the students, and most of the time the student will say something like "I ate lunch with him/her and had a pleasant conversation and have no concerns over their social skills."

So the bottom line is to always be yourself with EVERYONE you meet. I have heard of people getting denied from residency programs because the applicant was a huge jerk to the shuttle bus driver and it got back to the committee. As long as you are professional and respectful, you will not have any problems.

Since you're on the admissions committee, may I ask how long it takes for SLU to get back to you after an interview? I interviewed in mid-November, and they were kinda sketchy about when they'd get back to me.

 

[14022]

Since you're on the admissions committee, may I ask how long it takes for SLU to get back to you after an interview? I interviewed in mid-November, and they were kinda sketchy about when they'd get back to me.

It usually takes longer to get a decision to those who interview around this time of year (Nov/Dec) because of the holidays. Many of the weekly meetings In Nov/Dec are cancelled to allow the committee members to spend time with their families for the holidays. Four years ago when I was applying, I interviewed in mid-Nov and did not hear back until after the first of the year.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Hey I just wanted to thank scholes for those very informative posts about SLU! The curriculum sounds better than I expected. So the 2nd year is organ based? Awesome! Sounds like a good mix of a lot of approaches. Does anatomy dissection continue to run throughout the second year as you learn those organ systems then, or is it the one big anatomy course at the beginning of your first year? Also, how many students to each cadaver? Is the anatomy lab underground (like most schools) or is it above-ground with windows, etc.?

Since you are a fourth year, perhaps you could comment on the quality of your experiences at the teaching hospitals? I'm very interested in emergency medicine and OB/GYN right now (but honestly everything sounds good to me at this point), how were the rotations in those specialties? Did you feel like you got a good scope/volume of experience? Thanks a lot!

 

[jon0013]

anyone interviewing this tuesday the 29th?

 

[BOBODR]

It usually takes longer to get a decision to those who interview around this time of year (Nov/Dec) because of the holidays. Many of the weekly meetings In Nov/Dec are cancelled to allow the committee members to spend time with their families for the holidays. Four years ago when I was applying, I interviewed in mid-Nov and did not hear back until after the first of the year.

I was wondering, if someone who has been complete since summer has not heard yet do they still have a chance at an interview? Have any letters of regret even gone out yet. Just asking if there is any hope at this point?

 

[stansbury]

I was wondering what method does slu use to tell applicants of acceptance or rejection, via email or snail mail or phone call? if someone knows please post.

thanks
stansbury

 

[Messerschmitts]

I was wondering what method does slu use to tell applicants of acceptance or rejection, via email or snail mail or phone call? if someone knows please post.

thanks
stansbury

Acceptances are done exclusively through e-mail (not even a hard copy of your acceptance letter; boo!). I (fortunately) don't know how rejections are handled, but it's probably through snail-mail, since I've only experienced one school (UC Davis) ever using e-mail to send the rejection letter.

 

[newdude]

Acceptances are done exclusively through e-mail (not even a hard copy of your acceptance letter; boo!). I (fortunately) don't know how rejections are handled, but it's probably through snail-mail, since I've only experienced one school (UC Davis) ever using e-mail to send the rejection letter.

i interviewed on third week of november, when will i hear from them.

I am really worried because I love the school and curriculum but i don't know how long i can wait. I hope to hear before the break, i don't know if i'll survive the christmas break if i have to wait.

anyone know.

 

[Messerschmitts]

i interviewed on third week of november, when will i hear from them.

I am really worried because I love the school and curriculum but i don't know how long i can wait. I hope to hear before the break, i don't know if i'll survive the christmas break if i have to wait.

anyone know.

I heard from them 5 weeks after my interview. They tell me 4-6 weeks after the interview. If you don't hear by 6 weeks, I'd call'em. Glad you liked the school; good luck! Hope to see you in STL.

 

[MDCali]

i interviewed on third week of november, when will i hear from them.

I am really worried because I love the school and curriculum but i don't know how long i can wait. I hope to hear before the break, i don't know if i'll survive the christmas break if i have to wait.

anyone know.

I interviewed around the same time you did. They told me it was probably going to be January when I would hear from them. I wouldn't expect anything before the break. The waiting KILLING me. 😱

 

[Pewl]

Acceptances are done exclusively through e-mail (not even a hard copy of your acceptance letter; boo!). I (fortunately) don't know how rejections are handled, but it's probably through snail-mail, since I've only experienced one school (UC Davis) ever using e-mail to send the rejection letter.

Boston University also uses email to notify you of rejection.

 

[ahumdinger]

Is anyone still waiting for an interview from SLU? I practically live down the street from them!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Is anyone still waiting for an interview from SLU? I practically live down the street from them!

Hey, aren't you invited to interview at WashU? I wouldn't be complaining if I were you. 😛 Most people would much rather have an interview at WashU than SLU...unless you're like me, cause I know I've got no chance getting into WashU, wasted interview. Might as well interview at a place that'll actually take me. But yeah, what're you worried about? You got an interview at the "good" medical school in St. Louis already!

 

[ahumdinger]

Hey, aren't you invited to interview at WashU? I wouldn't be complaining if I were you. 😛 Most people would much rather have an interview at WashU than SLU...unless you're like me, cause I know I've got no chance getting into WashU, wasted interview. Might as well interview at a place that'll actually take me. But yeah, what're you worried about? You got an interview at the "good" medical school in St. Louis already!

It's true then! SLU students DO have a chip on their shoulder, even before they get to SLU! I dunno, there just seems to be a lot of animosity from the SLU students againt the WashU students.

Anyway, if you look at my stats, isn't it a little strange that I would be interviewed at WashU? I'm not exactly their average applicant. I have a feeling I only got interviewed because I work there and WashU likes to keep people "in the WashU family." So far, all my interviews have been at places where I have some sort of special connection: WashU (work there), Mizzou (live in the state, strong connection to the state), UW (in-state applicant, thanks to the parents). So in fact, I should not be thankful but rather be scared that I won't get interviews anywhere else because my GPA is too low. So far, I've gotten rejections from Uchicago (my alma mater), BU, and GW. So regardless of what WashU thinks of me, I still hope to get an interview at SLU, because you have to get at least that far in the process to have a shot at admittance into a school.

 

[Messerschmitts]

It's true then! SLU students DO have a chip on their shoulder, even before they get to SLU! I dunno, there just seems to be a lot of animosity from the SLU students againt the WashU students.

Anyway, if you look at my stats, isn't it a little strange that I would be interviewed at WashU? I'm not exactly their average applicant. I have a feeling I only got interviewed because I work there and WashU likes to keep people "in the WashU family." So far, all my interviews have been at places where I have some sort of special connection: WashU (work there), Mizzou (live in the state, strong connection to the state), UW (in-state applicant, thanks to the parents). So in fact, I should not be thankful but rather be scared that I won't get interviews anywhere else because my GPA is too low. So far, I've gotten rejections from Uchicago (my alma mater), BU, and GW. So regardless of what WashU thinks of me, I still hope to get an interview at SLU, because you have to get at least that far in the process to have a shot at admittance into a school.

Hmm...what you say is true. However, for the record I have nothing against (or "for") WashU; it's completely out of my league, I didn't bother trying to apply there, and I'm not going to loose any sleep thinking about it. 😛 They'll do their thing, we'll do ours across the street (okay, it's not literally that close, but the two campuses are pretty near each other).

But in any case, I wish you the best of luck for getting into WashU. If you get in there, then not getting an interview at SLU will be something you can laugh about when you're a successful doctor years later. Be optimistic! If they gave you an interview, that means the adcom thinks you are indeed qualified to attend their school. I for one am very impressed that you did get that interview, I'm sure it wasn't just the connexions. But good luck on getting an SLU interview too! I didn't even start interviewing last cycle until December, and didn't stop till February. Well, then again I didn't actually get in anywhere last cycle...so maybe I'm not a good example. 😕 But yeah, in any event keep the hope alive!

Btw, to be honest your GPA is a bit on the low side, but your MCAT scores are awesome! What's more, they're balanced! I hear med schools like to see balanced scores instead of skewed ones.

 

[ahumdinger]

Yeah, well, we'll see about WashU. I didn't get in on this first adcom meeting. Maybe next month.

I really hope that my GPA will not be the thing that holds me back. Allow me to vent briefly: people with a 3.25 at Harvard and a 33 MCAT should not be interviewed over me. I mean, to pull a 3.25 at Harvard should be an embarassment. Ah well, I guess I should learn a lesson from you, if I don't make it this year, apply again! I'm so glad you got in this year. Aren't you the one with the OUTSTANDING stats from Cali? I remember your profile almost made me throw up my hands and cry.

you know, you didn't apply to WashU either year, but you've got the stats for it! (if i remember correctly) And it was only a $50 application fee!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Yeah, well, we'll see about WashU. I didn't get in on this first adcom meeting. Maybe next month.

I really hope that my GPA will not be the thing that holds me back. Allow me to vent briefly: people with a 3.25 at Harvard and a 33 MCAT should not be interviewed over me. I mean, to pull a 3.25 at Harvard should be an embarassment. Ah well, I guess I should learn a lesson from you, if I don't make it this year, apply again! I'm so glad you got in this year. Aren't you the one with the OUTSTANDING stats from Cali? I remember your profile almost made me throw up my hands and cry.

you know, you didn't apply to WashU either year, but you've got the stats for it! (if i remember correctly) And it was only a $50 application fee!

I may have the stats for WashU, but I don't have the ECs for it 😛 . I was studying when everyone else was innoculating babies in Kenya and drafting the healthcare agenda for the European Union.

Also, get the entire lesson right! 😀 My lesson is that if you don't get in this year, apply again to different schools right away! If you intend to apply to the same schools, often they'll expect you to have significantly improved your application. However, if you apply to different schools, you're a de facto first-time applicant again. 😉 Just throw it at a bunch of schools and see.

Last year I was jinxed by some bad juju, I don't know. Actually I really didn't have any truly "impressive" ECs, and very weak clinical experience. Also, I'm a poor interviewee who's not good at selling himself. This cycle I have not changed my "raw material", but I have done a lot of significant repackaging of myself and have been working on my interviewing skills. But I'm glad it worked out, and I can attend school in 2006 instead of skipping an entire cycle to boost my ECs, and not going to med school until 2007.

Of course, hopefully you will get into somewhere this cycle, and won't have to resort to such tactics of desperation. I would never wish my terrible fate upon anyone else! I'm sure what happened to me was a total fluke of disaster.

 

[Pewl]

I may have the stats for WashU, but I don't have the ECs for it 😛 . I was studying when everyone else was innoculating babies in Kenya and drafting the healthcare agenda for the European Union.

Also, get the entire lesson right! 😀 My lesson is that if you don't get in this year, apply again to different schools right away! If you intend to apply to the same schools, often they'll expect you to have significantly improved your application. However, if you apply to different schools, you're a de facto first-time applicant again. 😉 Just throw it at a bunch of schools and see.

Last year I was jinxed by some bad juju, I don't know. Actually I really didn't have any truly "impressive" ECs, and very weak clinical experience. Also, I'm a poor interviewee who's not good at selling himself. This cycle I have not changed my "raw material", but I have done a lot of significant repackaging of myself and have been working on my interviewing skills. But I'm glad it worked out, and I can attend school in 2006 instead of skipping an entire cycle to boost my ECs, and not going to med school until 2007.

Of course, hopefully you will get into somewhere this cycle, and won't have to resort to such tactics of desperation. I would never wish my terrible fate upon anyone else! I'm sure what happened to me was a total fluke of disaster.

If I don't get into an MD school this year I"m just gonna go to the DO school in LA. At least I"ll get all the benefits of LA weather and great, cheap ethnic foods =P

 

[jon0013]

i want to know "WHY SLU?"....seems like they have the clinical skills center that provides unique experiences for students but what else about the school will draw me to spend $40-50.000 a yr for an education....any MS1 or MS2 out there?

 

[JJKR3]

hey Messerschmitts,

Can you tell me a bit more about your interview with Dr. Willmore? My interview is scheduled with him too. What else did he ask you besides how to fix healthcare and what is wrong with the economy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thankss 👍
and congrats on your acceptance!

 

[Messerschmitts]

hey Messerschmitts,

Can you tell me a bit more about your interview with Dr. Willmore? My interview is scheduled with him too. What else did he ask you besides how to fix healthcare and what is wrong with the economy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thankss 👍
and congrats on your acceptance!

Hey JJKR3! Ugh, I just came back from my UCSD interview. And I thought Dr. Willmore was tough! He's a damn pussycat compared to those UCSD interviewers. That guy brutally and embarassingly exposed any shred of weakness in my response, chewed me up and spat me back out...I feel terrible. I guess I am going to SLU after all! I sure as hell ain't going to UCSD after that! (not that SLU doesn't rock)

Anyway (sorry about the venting), other than the healthcare question and the "what's wrong with the economy", all the other questions he asked me were directly related to my file, so I don't think it'll be applicable to you. The best advice I can give you is to know your file, and be able to talk about and elaborate on ECs and anything in your personal statement. Also, have defences prepared for discrepancies and irregularities that may catch his eye. He will have read your file and will be reasonably familiar with it. It's your standard open-file interview except Dr. Willmore is mildly confrontational sometimes and may try to "call your bluff" on certain things. But trust me, amongst "confrontational" interviewers he's probably the mildest. Even if you feel like you did poorly, you may still have gotten in. After my interview with him I felt like I did a very mediocre job. Best of luck on your interview! Hope to see you in St. Louis in the summer.

 

[andiluvsk]

Hey all. I am a first year who interviewed with Dr. Wilmore, and spent a lot of time with him during orientation. He gave us some interesting perspectives about the admissions process here. If any of you are applying and want my 2 cents pm me.

 

[SpeedRacer]

what about dr. william perman? thoughts?

also, when it says the last thing is lunch, does my day really end at 1pm? i don't have anything in here for 1pm-5pm. also, what did you guys do in that gap time between the interview and tour, e.g.

 

[Messerschmitts]

I had the regional interview so I didn't get to see the school. Does anyone know if SLU holds "second-look" days, or if not, do they set up separate tours, etc? I would feel too self-conscious if they set up just a private tour for me, I wonder if I could "tag along" another interviewing group? 😛

 

[Overeducated]

I had the regional interview so I didn't get to see the school. Does anyone know if SLU holds "second-look" days, or if not, do they set up separate tours, etc? I would feel too self-conscious if they set up just a private tour for me, I wonder if I could "tag along" another interviewing group? 😛

I asked that exact question at my regional interview. I was under the impression they would let us tag along with another interview group.

 

[63768]

Is anyone still waiting for an interview from SLU? I practically live down the street from them!

i am.

 

[DrHuang]

I had the regional interview so I didn't get to see the school. Does anyone know if SLU holds "second-look" days, or if not, do they set up separate tours, etc? I would feel too self-conscious if they set up just a private tour for me, I wonder if I could "tag along" another interviewing group? 😛

grats on u. cinn M!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Thanks G! I'm still gonna visit SLU to compare, but that $60,000 (3 years of in-state tuition after first year) worth of tuition savings by going to UCinny is looking very tempting. But to be honest I didn't like the atmosphere there very much. If I do go it will be purely for the tuition.

 

[jon0013]

Thanks G! I'm still gonna visit SLU to compare, but that $60,000 (3 years of in-state tuition after first year) worth of tuition savings by going to UCinny is looking very tempting. But to be honest I didn't like the atmosphere there very much. If I do go it will be purely for the tuition.

congrats man...i was complete a month ago and have yet to hear from them...visited slu last week...gotta say the facilities are older and not very impressive but everyone seems to love it...

 

[paceac]

I had the regional interview so I didn't get to see the school. Does anyone know if SLU holds "second-look" days, or if not, do they set up separate tours, etc? I would feel too self-conscious if they set up just a private tour for me, I wonder if I could "tag along" another interviewing group? 😛

I interviewed with Dr. Furman and she said that they have tours of the school every Tuesday.

 

[popbirch]

I interviewed on 11/8 and I was accepted on 12/2, so it was almost four weeks from my interview. I also was accepted to Drexel, I interviewed on 11/2 and accepted on 11/23 which is 3 weeks. I am still waiting to hear from 6 schools that I interviewed at so far, and I have 7 that haven't said anything, and 3 rejections. Of the 8 schools I interviewed at 2 said they would send decisions on dec. 15 (VCU, NYMC), 1 on Jan. 10 (Bost. U), 1 is anytime or march 15 (Univ of Utah), the 4 others all said 4-6weeks from interview (EVMS, drexel, SLU, and tulane).