2011-2012 Saint Louis University Application Thread

[fish4life]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Haha, I just asked one of our biochem professors, and even he didn't know... Well, crossed this school off my list; good luck to everyone else applying!

Btw, the two things that I liked about the school were the anatomy lab, which had windows, and the sim lab, which was run by the coolest instructor I've met in a long time. The students were friendly to each other, just like 100 other schools out there, the buildings felt kinda gloomy from a dearth of windows. They have this weird block scheduling where try would Only take one class at a time, but would have it repeatedly every day during that time. What I did not like about the school was the fact that despite being poor on research and focused on clinical med, they offered no patient contact during the first year! You have to volunteer at the free clinic down the road to see a real patient. Also St Louis seemed like a city past it's prime with a few good attractions, but lacking that active big city feel, or that peaceful rural comfort.

 

[digitalsea11010]

Haha, I just asked one of our biochem professors, and even he didn't know... Well, crossed this school off my list; good luck to everyone else applying!

Btw, the two things that I liked about the school were the anatomy lab, which had windows, and the sim lab, which was run by the coolest instructor I've met in a long time. The students were friendly to each other, just like 100 other schools out there, the buildings felt kinda gloomy from a dearth of windows. They have this weird block scheduling where try would Only take one class at a time, but would have it repeatedly every day during that time. What I did not like about the school was the fact that despite being poor on research and focused on clinical med, they offered no patient contact during the first year! You have to volunteer at the free clinic down the road to see a real patient. Also St Louis seemed like a city past it's prime with a few good attractions, but lacking that active big city feel, or that peaceful rural comfort.

Well I'm sorry to hear about the experience, but I am sure it is something you will laugh about later. Sometimes I think interviewers just mess with us to make their days more entertaining. I would like to comment on the city though. I feel that although St. Louis is not quite as prominent as other cities, there is certainly plenty to do, and it is very comfortable. Everything in Forest Park is free, so you can capriciously float from the zoo to the art museum if you so please. Central West End is a pretty cool area with lots of different clubs/restaurants, and the crowd is a lot more sophisticated than your typical college town. The Delmar Loop is full of earthy-crunchy places if you want to explore your inner hippie, and they also have plenty of restaurants, bars, concert venues, and quirky stores. These are just a few of the common places to hang out in St. Louis. If you are coming for the Arch and other touristy things, you will not be too impressed. If you come and explore a bit you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of things to do. (I'm from Chicago, and I love it here.)

On a side note, I jogged around the campus at 6:00 this morning, and I was tempted to run around the medical school screaming pick, me pick me!!!! I restrained myself....

 

[girlofgrace7]

They have this weird block scheduling where try would Only take one class at a time, but would have it repeatedly every day during that time. What I did not like about the school was the fact that despite being poor on research and focused on clinical med, they offered no patient contact during the first year! You have to volunteer at the free clinic down the road to see a real patient. Also St Louis seemed like a city past it's prime with a few good attractions, but lacking that active big city feel, or that peaceful rural comfort.

Sorry to hear about your interview with Dr. Willmore, but to let you know, all of the interviewers (regardless of how you answer other questions), are GOING to ask about your applications. Every interview at SLU will cover strengths, weaknesses, shadowing, volunteering, research, and any thing that makes you stand out. They look for passion about the things you've been involved in. So, to the rest of you, don't be surprised if your interviewer asks you a question to gauge your real level of interest in something (working with the homeless, sailing, playing guitar, etc.). Be honest about how involved you are in things, and if they ask a question that throws you off, take your best stab at it and just handle it with grace.

To be clear about the block schedule, we have 2-4 hours of lecture a day generally, and first year, you generally take 2 real classes at a time (plus clinical skills and sometimes a less serious class like ethics or biostats.... except during anatomy where you only take anatomy and clinical skills). Personally, I love it.
Also, the patient contact thing is inaccurate. It's true that it isn't BLATANTLY built into the curriculum (our clinical skills course uses standardized patients) and that you can work with patients at the two free clinics (which many students do... and you take the histories and vitals, report to the older med students and doctor, and/or draw blood). However, we also have elective courses. Students that are so inclined shadow during that or do clinical research (in which you work with patients). Many students also take their first summer off to do internships in the hospitals, clinical research, or international trips where they work with patients.

On another note, to those who interviewed today, I apologize for that financial aid talk. That was NOT the usual talk and was given by a lady I'd never seen before. If you want more accurate (and much less dreary) information, feel free to pm me.

 

[girlofgrace7]

Well I'm sorry to hear about the experience, but I am sure it is something you will laugh about later. Sometimes I think interviewers just mess with us to make their days more entertaining. I would like to comment on the city though. I feel that although St. Louis is not quite as prominent as other cities, there is certainly plenty to do, and it is very comfortable. Everything in Forest Park is free, so you can capriciously float from the zoo to the art museum if you so please. Central West End is a pretty cool area with lots of different clubs/restaurants, and the crowd is a lot more sophisticated than your typical college town. The Delmar Loop is full of earthy-crunchy places if you want to explore your inner hippie, and they also have plenty of restaurants, bars, concert venues, and quirky stores. These are just a few of the common places to hang out in St. Louis. If you are coming for the Arch and other touristy things, you will not be too impressed. If you come and explore a bit you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of things to do. (I'm from Chicago, and I love it here.)

On a side note, I jogged around the campus at 6:00 this morning, and I was tempted to run around the medical school screaming pick, me pick me!!!! I restrained myself....

I also meant to comment on that. I'm from California, and I happen to love Saint Louis. There's always concerts and festivals going on somewhere in town. The zoo is the second best in the country (after San Diego... I actually like STL's better) and is free (as is most of the stuff in Saint Louis). There's a great night life and fantastic restaurants if you know where to look. There's the City Museum (it's not a museum but an 11-story adult jungle gym basically). There's an NHL, NFL, and MLB team. There's intramural teams to play on at SLU and at Forrest Park. Half an hour out of town, there's the nation's largest laser tag arena, demolition ball (look this up), and Sky Zone (room full of trampolines where you can play dodgeball). Honestly, I don't feel like the city lacks much. There's PLENTY to do if you look for it.

Also, Digitalseal, I think you totally should have done that around 8:45 as I was walking to class. It probably would have made my day

 

[poohbear12345]

Im sorry to hear about your experience with Dr.Wilmore, when I met him he was the chillest guy ever. At first I didnt know I was talking with the dean of admissions, I thought he was just some friendly nuerologist that decided to help me carry my bags to the interview waiting room. He's definetely not some tough guy, very jovial and friendly, and into all sorts of stuff, golf and baseball. Prob just one off experience.

 

[girlofgrace7]

Im sorry to hear about your experience with Dr.Wilmore, when I met him he was the chillest guy ever. At first I didnt know I was talking with the dean of admissions, I thought he was just some friendly nuerologist that decided to help me carry my bags to the interview waiting room. He's definetely not some tough guy, very jovial and friendly, and into all sorts of stuff, golf and baseball. Prob just one off experience.

He's extremely chill. He strives to make sure the student feels comfortable enough that he can find out who they really are. He prides himself on being able to know after a few minutes if someone's passionate about medicine and whether they are going to be a good fit for the school. He's phenomenal at what he does, and he's just about one of the nicest people you'll meet.

 

[ScrubsandGloves]

For those of you interviewing with Dr. Willmore, I just want to warn you that despite everyone saying that the interview will be conversational, there is the off-chance that he could turn up the stress knob as he did in my case. I walked into his office, and spotted a neat pathways diagram, which I commented on, and so then he proceeded to show me a slide with some biochemical reaction that I had never seen before. I had stated in my amcas that I am a biochem TA, so he assumed that I must have known that reaction, and when I told him that I didn't recognize it, he continued the rest of the interview with a total look of distrust and disbelief. Each question he then asked me was about my personal statement or AMCAS, and each question was stated in the tone "so I think you lied on your App - now convince me otherwise"
I was embarrassed because I thought that maybe I had seen it somewhere and that I had forgotten about it, and his look was was so awkward that when he asked me "why did you apply to SLU", all I could think of was why I had initially applied, which was for no particular reason, and forgot all the things I was making mental notes of while on tour (note to self, take physical notes). Anyways, be careful on your interviews.

Sorry you had a tough experience. Best advice is to write a letter explaining what happened and add a letter from the professor you TAed for. SLU admissions committee would be more than happy to read the letters and I am sure they will understand. Though, do write the letter in a generous and professional manner.

I personally love the schedule we have. It causes a lot less stress. And while Saint Louis is no San Francisco, the city had really grown on me. I also think that there are a lot of needs in this city. I feel like since I am becoming a doctor to serve others, living in a city where many are needing medicalhelp is a great place for me to be.

 

[music2doc]

Some ups and downs here. Sorry to hear some of your interviews were tough. I actually really enjoyed my interview -- and the entire interview day. You all were a lot of fun to interview with! We had lots of funny moments and got to really connect, which I think it pretty cool when we are all supposedly competing and such. (I must say, you guys who interviewed today all sounded like you had super competitive applications. I am honored to have been able to interview alongside you.) Our tour guide was great and my host and his roommate were awesome. It was altogether a great experience.

 

[tmh]

Schools know you put in that hard work 👍
Good luck with your interview and to the rest of the schools you applied to.

Thanks a lot. You too.


Anyone else interviewing on halloween?

 

[mrawesome]

Some ups and downs here. Sorry to hear some of your interviews were tough. I actually really enjoyed my interview -- and the entire interview day. You all were a lot of fun to interview with! We had lots of funny moments and got to really connect, which I think it pretty cool when we are all supposedly competing and such. (I must say, you guys who interviewed today all sounded like you had super competitive applications. I am honored to have been able to interview alongside you.) Our tour guide was great and my host and his roommate were awesome. It was altogether a great experience.

I second that. Yesterday was my first interview, and I only hope they're all so wonderful. As qualified and competitive as everyone there was, it was quite the jovial atmosphere. Also, despite the many comments on here about The campus being in a bad area, it's not a terrible area and the school has done a lot to beautify the campus.

 

[blizzah]

I was actually scheduled to interview with Dr. Wilmore on the 12th, but I have now been switched to another interviewer. No matter, look forward to heading down!

 

[music2doc]

I second that. Yesterday was my first interview, and I only hope they're all so wonderful. As qualified and competitive as everyone there was, it was quite the jovial atmosphere. Also, despite the many comments on here about The campus being in a bad area, it's not a terrible area and the school has done a lot to beautify the campus.

True. The weather was beautiful too. (I think we definitely picked the right day to interview!) I think actual pre-med stuff only came up a few times. It was, relatively speaking, a fun day. If every interview were like that....

Anyway, good luck to all of you! And definitely do the host program. It's a great experience.

 

[deleted392924]

How do you sign up for the host program?

 

[hk1]

Has anyone interviewed with Kelly Everard yet? I have my interview in November, and just wondering what kinds of questions she asks

 

[music2doc]

How do you sign up for the host program?

On the interview links page....

Has anyone interviewed with Kelly Everard yet? I have my interview in November, and just wondering what kinds of questions she asks

I'm pretty sure some from my group did... but I never heard any comments. Expect it to be conversational and focused on what you have done. (That should seem pretty obvious, but truthfully, mine was all over the place. The only real theme in his questions was that they were about how my experiences related to my performance in med school and ability to serve patients as a physician.)

 

[hk1]

On the interview links page....



I'm pretty sure some from my group did... but I never heard any comments. Expect it to be conversational and focused on what you have done. (That should seem pretty obvious, but truthfully, mine was all over the place. The only real theme in his questions was that they were about how my experiences related to my performance in med school and ability to serve patients as a physician.)

Thanks! At least I know there's nothing negative to be said about her. Hope your interview went well!

 

[Metallica1936]

Dr. Shoemaker is really laid back. It's hard to have a bad interview with him as he likes almost everyone. SLU acceptance rate post-interview is fairly high (many get pulled off the wait list). Really, there's no interview tricks. Be yourself (but be professional). Show what you're passionate about and why. Have some ideas (don't memorize a pre-formulated answer though) to answer the basic interview questions (strengths, weaknesses, why SLU, etc.). If you do this, you should be fine. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for the input. It really helps!

 

[digitalsea11010]

I also meant to comment on that. I'm from California, and I happen to love Saint Louis. There's always concerts and festivals going on somewhere in town. The zoo is the second best in the country (after San Diego... I actually like STL's better) and is free (as is most of the stuff in Saint Louis). There's a great night life and fantastic restaurants if you know where to look. There's the City Museum (it's not a museum but an 11-story adult jungle gym basically). There's an NHL, NFL, and MLB team. There's intramural teams to play on at SLU and at Forrest Park. Half an hour out of town, there's the nation's largest laser tag arena, demolition ball (look this up), and Sky Zone (room full of trampolines where you can play dodgeball). Honestly, I don't feel like the city lacks much. There's PLENTY to do if you look for it.

Also, Digitalseal, I think you totally should have done that around 8:45 as I was walking to class. It probably would have made my day

Pick Me!

If I ever get an interview from them, I think I will wear a bow tie. The SLUSOM President or Chancellor or whatever made a joke when he came to my school about getting bonus points for a bow tie. I doubt he was serious, but it would be pretty funny if the interviewer actually made note of it.

On a side note, I heard the creator of the City Museum passed away. I heard he died in the process of making "Cement World," a place where you could do all of the things you wish you could do as a small child that were illegal. I like to think of the City Museum as a McDonald's play place if you were on LSD. Or perhaps McDonald's play place if the maker was on LSD. Either way, it is quite an experience, and they sell alcohol there. I don't think alcohol and a play place on LSD is a very safe combination, but it is certainly cool.

 

[raltima07]

Are we likely to hear back from SLU on 10/15 or 10/17?

 

[Snuke]

Thank you for the input. It really helps!

I had Dr. Shoemaker as well, and I found him very nice and personable.

If I ever get an interview from them, I think I will wear a bow tie.

Dr. Willmore wore a bowtie as he gave us our tour.

 

[girlofgrace7]

Are we likely to hear back from SLU on 10/15 or 10/17?

Depends on when you interviewed and how quickly your interviewer got their report in. They review like 30+ applicants each week. First acceptances generally go out as soon as it's "allowed" though.

 

[masterwolfie]

Are we likely to hear back from SLU on 10/15 or 10/17?

I checked last year's thread, and acceptance notices were first sent out on Saturday 10/16. That tells us that they do send notices out on Saturday, but we won't REALLY know until this Saturday as to whether they'll be sending out decisions on Saturday or Monday...

 

[girlofgrace7]

Are we likely to hear back from SLU on 10/15 or 10/17?

Dr. Willmore said today that it'll be on or after 10/17

 

[changa7]

Some ups and downs here. Sorry to hear some of your interviews were tough. I actually really enjoyed my interview -- and the entire interview day. You all were a lot of fun to interview with! We had lots of funny moments and got to really connect, which I think it pretty cool when we are all supposedly competing and such. (I must say, you guys who interviewed today all sounded like you had super competitive applications. I am honored to have been able to interview alongside you.) Our tour guide was great and my host and his roommate were awesome. It was altogether a great experience.

I second that. Yesterday was my first interview, and I only hope they're all so wonderful. As qualified and competitive as everyone there was, it was quite the jovial atmosphere. Also, despite the many comments on here about The campus being in a bad area, it's not a terrible area and the school has done a lot to beautify the campus.

I interviewed on 10/4 as well and I agree! Everyone was very friendly from all the interviewees to the student hosts. Saint Louis really impressed me. I actually ran into Dr. Willmore the day before my interview at Pappy's BBQ and a few times on campus the day of my interview and he was super friendly. Sorry to hear about the guy that had a bad interview with him. Maybe it was just a bad day. Anyhow, my interview was really relaxed. I wasn't grilled about my application or anything. We just discussed a few things from my app and spent the rest of the time talking and my family and hobbies. Good luck to everyone interviewing here. Don't make any judgements about SLU until you get there!

 

[TheGloaming]

I interviewed on 10/4 as well and I agree! Everyone was very friendly from all the interviewees to the student hosts. Saint Louis really impressed me. I actually ran into Dr. Willmore the day before my interview at Pappy's BBQ and a few times on campus the day of my interview and he was super friendly. Sorry to hear about the guy that had a bad interview with him. Maybe it was just a bad day. Anyhow, my interview was really relaxed. I wasn't grilled about my application or anything. We just discussed a few things from my app and spent the rest of the time talking and my family and hobbies. Good luck to everyone interviewing here. Don't make any judgements about SLU until you get there!

I also interviewed with Willmore awhile back and the same upsetting experience as the other poster mentioned. In fact, I spoke with a student who interviewed just before with Willmore and we had very similar thoughts. Willmore actually gave the tour for our interview group and he was completely different while doing this. He was cracking jokes and such. I think this made it even worse. The school was nice but it was hard to have a positive view after that interview.

 

[tcritty]

I have an interview early in the afternoon. Are we free to leave after our interview in the afternoon? I have to fly back home that night, and the latest flight is at 5:10.

Thanks!

 

[mrawesome]

I have an interview early in the afternoon. Are we free to leave after our interview in the afternoon? I have to fly back home that night, and the latest flight is at 5:10.

Thanks!

Yeah, you should have no problem. After your interview, you just turn in your survey and you're done.

 

[girlofgrace7]

I also interviewed with Willmore awhile back and the same upsetting experience as the other poster mentioned. In fact, I spoke with a student who interviewed just before with Willmore and we had very similar thoughts. Willmore actually gave the tour for our interview group and he was completely different while doing this. He was cracking jokes and such. I think this made it even worse. The school was nice but it was hard to have a positive view after that interview.

To be honest, his interviews are totally student-driven. As such, people either have really positive or sort of negative experiences. And yes, he (and many others at schools across the country) will often ask something you don't know just to see how you'll handle it. It isn't meant to elicit stress or grill you. It's meant to see a) how in depth you know a subject matter you're passionate about or b) if you handle not knowing something gracefully. This isn't that uncommon a technique among interviewers as med students and doctors frequently have to admit that they don't have all the answers (which some struggle with more than others).

 

[raltima07]

Dr. Willmore said today that it'll be on or after 10/17

Thank you for your help!

 

[Itsame]

Does anyone know whether SLU holds interviews on Thursdays or Saturdays? I'm going to be in the area on a Friday and I'm contemplating writing an "in-the-area" email since they seem to be open to it.

From what I've read, I've only seen people with Monday or Tuesday interviews - in which case it wouldn't be worth asking (since in the event that they did extend an interview invite, the cost of hotel, food, etc for the extra nights between would be more than a separate flight).

Dilemma. Wisdom?

 

[PeetDahl]

I also interviewed with Willmore awhile back and the same upsetting experience as the other poster mentioned. In fact, I spoke with a student who interviewed just before with Willmore and we had very similar thoughts. Willmore actually gave the tour for our interview group and he was completely different while doing this. He was cracking jokes and such. I think this made it even worse. The school was nice but it was hard to have a positive view after that interview.

These experiences are really unfortunate. I had a similar experience in a one-on-one interview (not at SLU). I think there is a considerable amount of "luck of the draw" when you are interviewing with one person. I much prefer when there are 2 interviewers, each keeps the other in check and if you happen not to connect to one interviewer it isn't the end of the world....

 

[Member9789]

Does anyone know whether SLU holds interviews on Thursdays or Saturdays? I'm going to be in the area on a Friday and I'm contemplating writing an "in-the-area" email since they seem to be open to it.

From what I've read, I've only seen people with Monday or Tuesday interviews - in which case it wouldn't be worth asking (since in the event that they did extend an interview invite, the cost of hotel, food, etc for the extra nights between would be more than a separate flight).

Dilemma. Wisdom?

They only offer interviews on Monday and Tuesday -- I looked pretty far ahead on the calendar before I scheduled my visit and those were the only days I saw.

They also have a student housing program that costs something like $26/night for interviewees for up to two nights.

 

[monkeyMD]

How long would you have to wait before you get accepted or rejected? Do they
keep you in the dark until later in the app cycle or let you know right away? (if your interview occurs after they start releasing the acceptances)

 

[girlofgrace7]

How long would you have to wait before you get accepted or rejected? Do they
keep you in the dark until later in the app cycle or let you know right away? (if your interview occurs after they start releasing the acceptances)

It really just depends on how long your interviewer takes getting their report in. Toward the beginning of the interview season, you may hear back in like a week, but later, it may be 4-6 weeks. They will at least let you know acceptance or wait list at that point (very few are flat-out rejected post-interview).

 

[JDOC13]

They only offer interviews on Monday and Tuesday -- I looked pretty far ahead on the calendar before I scheduled my visit and those were the only days I saw.

They also have a student housing program that costs something like $26/night for interviewees for up to two nights.

As stated earlier in this thread, interviews are held on Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

[JDOC13]

I have an interview early in the afternoon. Are we free to leave after our interview in the afternoon? I have to fly back home that night, and the latest flight is at 5:10.

Thanks!

I mentioned before that the interview day consists of 1 interview (either morning or afternoon), a tour (11am-noon) and lunch with students (noon-1pm).

It's a pretty short schedule. Aside from that, you are completely free to check out the school on your own, talk to students, leave, etc.

 

[bcd051]

Finally got my MCAT score and hoping to get an interview from SLU!

Any idea on my chances:

GPA (Undergrad): 3.4
GPA (Grad): 4.0; got my Masters in Health Administration from SLU a year ago
MCAT: 32R
Two published papers and a grant to develop a standardized Health Information Technology curriculum for grad students.
Research position at SLU School of Public Health
Work at the SLU Cancer Center
Worked full-time for 2+ years at a local hospital in their lab
3 letters of rec are from current SLU profs.

Hopefully, I can get an interview and get in!

 

[tmh]

Finally got my MCAT score and hoping to get an interview from SLU!

Any idea on my chances:

GPA (Undergrad): 3.4
GPA (Grad): 4.0; got my Masters in Health Administration from SLU a year ago
MCAT: 32R
Two published papers and a grant to develop a standardized Health Information Technology curriculum for grad students.
Research position at SLU School of Public Health
Work at the SLU Cancer Center
Worked full-time for 2+ years at a local hospital in their lab
3 letters of rec are from current SLU profs.

Hopefully, I can get an interview and get in!

Sounds like you know more about slu than us...

 

[bcd051]

Sounds like you know more about slu than us...

Alas sir, I know no rat with a tiny teddy bear, which I fear may hamper my chances 😛 (I love your avatar)

 

[tmh]

Alas sir, I know no rat with a tiny teddy bear, which I fear may hamper my chances 😛 (I love your avatar)

Thanks. Sadly, there is another guy on this thread that uses it. I like to think I have a special connection to sprague-dawleys though.

 

[babx]

Do you think they are strict on the requirement for 3 ref letters from profs? (I only have 2 and the third is from my hospital volunteer co-ordinator). I don't know another prof well enough to get another letter and am wondering if I should bother filling out the secondary?

pls advise!

 

[yellowcocopuffs]

I have heard St Louis U is in a "bad" area, but I didn't know there were so many sex offenders in St Louis MO!

http://www.city-data.com/so/so-St.-Louis-Missouri.html

1253 sex offenders in this city... wow. 285 civilans: 1 sex offender. 😱
Didn't know it was this serious...is it even safe to live here?

 

[girlofgrace7]

I have heard St Louis U is in a "bad" area, but I didn't know there were so many sex offenders in St Louis MO!

http://www.city-data.com/so/so-St.-Louis-Missouri.html

1253 sex offenders in this city... wow. 285 civilans: 1 sex offender. 😱
Didn't know it was this serious...is it even safe to live here?

You're going to find crime anywhere. Also, I didn't look at those stats to see what areas they surveyed, but a lot of stats include numbers for East Saint Louis (which is a different city in a different state.... it's across the river in Illinois... and really, you just stay far away from there as they are known for strip clubs, drugs, and a high crime rate). A lot of the crime in the actual city of Saint Louis is also concentrated to a few choice areas that students just stay out of. I've lived here a year and a half now and have had no problems. The only problem I've heard of any of the med students having was cars being broken into (usually dependent on the area of town you choose to live in... I happen to live in the middle of suburbia) and maybe one mugging (can't remember if it was a med student or not.... really, just don't walk in sketchy areas at 2 AM).

 

[tmh]

I have heard St Louis U is in a "bad" area, but I didn't know there were so many sex offenders in St Louis MO!

http://www.city-data.com/so/so-St.-Louis-Missouri.html

1253 sex offenders in this city... wow. 285 civilans: 1 sex offender. 😱
Didn't know it was this serious...is it even safe to live here?

"Number of sex offenders" is an absurd statistic to determine crime. It can be disturbingly unjust. Here's a good article that was in The Economist a few years ago that talks about why:
http://www.economist.com/node/14164614

But, to be fair, St Louis does have a reputation for being dangerous. I'm sure you just have to be smart, like in any city.

 

[spacmanspif300]

The waiting is killing me. I interviewed on 9/27 with Dr. Cooper, and she said it would likely be about 8 weeks. I emailed her last Wednesday, just a short thanks and "remember me?" email.

Ugh. Aside from the fact that SLU is my top choice, it would also just be nice to have one school "in the bag" to take the edge off.

Anyone hear back yet on acceptance?

 

[yellowcocopuffs]

You're going to find crime anywhere. Also, I didn't look at those stats to see what areas they surveyed, but a lot of stats include numbers for East Saint Louis (which is a different city in a different state.... it's across the river in Illinois... and really, you just stay far away from there as they are known for strip clubs, drugs, and a high crime rate). A lot of the crime in the actual city of Saint Louis is also concentrated to a few choice areas that students just stay out of. I've lived here a year and a half now and have had no problems. The only problem I've heard of any of the med students having was cars being broken into (usually dependent on the area of town you choose to live in... I happen to live in the middle of suburbia) and maybe one mugging (can't remember if it was a med student or not.... really, just don't walk in sketchy areas at 2 AM).

That's sort of a relief...but if you look at the map, East St Louis isn't included. And if I compare these numbers to those of my hometown or undergrad town, it seems surprisingly very high.

 

[yellowcocopuffs]

"Number of sex offenders" is an absurd statistic to determine crime. It can be disturbingly unjust. Here's a good article that was in The Economist a few years ago that talks about why:
http://www.economist.com/node/14164614

But, to be fair, St Louis does have a reputation for being dangerous. I'm sure you just have to be smart, like in any city.

Well, I wasn't equating crime to the number of sex offenders. I was just concerned that there are so many in one city...and the ratio of sex offenders:city population.

 

[flodhi1]

I have heard St Louis U is in a "bad" area, but I didn't know there were so many sex offenders in St Louis MO!

http://www.city-data.com/so/so-St.-Louis-Missouri.html

1253 sex offenders in this city... wow. 285 civilans: 1 sex offender. 😱
Didn't know it was this serious...is it even safe to live here?

I'm sorry if you're going to pick a medical school based on how many sex offenders reside in the area then I'm going to have to say you need some help. There will be crimes and "sex offenders" in every part of the US. As long as you know areas to avoid and techniques to travel you can pretty much avoid situations most of the time.

 

[shinbeats]

lol even though 285 civilians to 1 sex offender is pretty damn high I just can't stop laughing. I have never in my life ever heard or seen anyone bring up sex offenders on studentdoc forums especially when it comes to talking about medical schools lol wtf!?

 

[EBTrailRunner]

Does anyone know how SLU communicates acceptances - email, phone call, ... ?