Just got off the Wash U waitlist and need help! (Class of 2007 I need your thoug

[sunnie03]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey all! so I just got off the Wash U waitlist like an hour ago! Yay good news....but I had gotten off the waitlist at Tulane like 2 weeks ago and I was all set to go there. So my dilemma is I feel like I should automatically choose Wash U because of its rank and amazing reputation, but i heard that kids at wash u were kind of gunnerish and not all that happy, while i hear everyone at tulane raves about it and seems really happy. the reason i give these impressions second hand is that it was really hard for me to gauge anything at both my interviews because i really didn't get a chance to talk to very many students. i stayed at olin at wash u (which to me was a majorly depressing place) and none of the students seemed overly enthusiastic and didn't really make an effort to sell their school and the girls that held the amwsa breakfast seemed kind of blah too. and new orleans seems fun though a little sketchy, and how great is it that they give you time off for mardi gras 😉 !

I just don't want to put too much emphasis on reputation and end up being unhappy. So I was wondering if anyone who is all set to go to Wash U or anyone who had a similar decision to make had any thoughts. I would really appreciate any and all input (except anything mean...😉 )! Thanks so much!

 

[alphabeta53]

I didn't like St Louis and Wash U did seem to have more than its fair share of gunners. If you arn't under the spell of US News, tell Wash U thanks but no thanks. The opporunities at Washu are many but they come at too high a price (location, happiness) for my taste. See if the price is right for you....

-Bob Barker

 

[VienneseWaltz]

If you are planning to go into academic medicine, or it's very important to you to get into a particular residency program, I would advise Wash U. The students there weren't really my crowd, but I wouldn't characterize them as gunners. Otherwise, it doesn't matter--go where you think you'll be happiest. And congrats. 🙂

 

[wazupshah]

I got the same poor impression of the kids at Wash U. BUT....
there's going to people that you like and some people that you don't like anywhere you go. So don't get caught up in the SDN generalizations. I'm sure that there are going to be some really cool people in your class at Wash U. (if you choose to go there).

 

[LaughingGiraffe]

to put in a good word for my future school, i thought that virtually every student i met at wash u seemed happy and relaxed. i've heard over and over again how first years have tons of time for non-schoolwork related activities, and if anything seem less stressed than students at other schools.

and again in defense, i think of myself as about as far from gunner-ism as one can get, but then that may explain why my gpa is a good bit lower than wash u's average...

with that said, the tulane students i met were probably about as enthusiastic about their school as any students i met. like wash u was for you, the school/area just didn't seem like as good a fit for me there.

i think wash u does carry a bit more weight for the high profile residencies, but tulane offers pretty phenomenal opportunities when it comes to med students getting exposure to a wide range of material and hands on experience.

tulane's more expensive, if that's a factor for you.

i would go with your gut. because if you do well, i don't think it matters all that much where you go. med school is hard enough - you might as well be happy where you are.

 

[stlboy123]

louisiana rocks and tulane also has a good name... plus louisiana rocks?

 

[ephgirl]

Hi Sunnie03, I'm going to WashU this fall and am very excited. I have a friend who's just finishing 2nd year and she loves it there. I've heard that St. Louis is a great city with lots to do. Above all, the resources at WashU are great and Barnes-Jewish is one of the top hospitals in the country. I don't know what specialty I want to go into, and WashU will give me the chance to go into whatever I decide to do, be it academic med, a competative subspecialty, or whatever. I think that I will be happy there, that's why I'm going. You decide where you will be happiest.

 

[alphabeta53]

Originally posted by ephgirl
Hi Sunnie03, I'm going to WashU this fall and am very excited. I have a friend who's just finishing 2nd year and she loves it there. I've heard that St. Louis is a great city with lots to do. Above all, the resources at WashU are great and Barnes-Jewish is one of the top hospitals in the country. I don't know what specialty I want to go into, and WashU will give me the chance to go into whatever I decide to do, be it academic med, a competative subspecialty, or whatever. I think that I will be happy there, that's why I'm going. You decide where you will be happiest.

Correction: St. Louis is not a great city nor are Baltimore and Detroit. The truth hurts...pull off the band-aid quick!

 

[HitokiriX]

Where will you be happy for 4 years? Some students I know at Wash U medical school just go out to bars for relaxation, although there are other places to go.
But culturally, New Orleans is the place to be. The weather's warmer and the seafood's better!

 

[sunnie03]

Thanks for the input guys! Any other thoughts floating out there?

 

[siempre595]

St. Louis is not at all a bad city. I've been here four years and just made the decision to stay another four. (I think Dean Dodson called me right after you sunny!) I'm really happy here, there's plenty to do all the time (yes, you have to look a little harder, but it's there), and the school is just awesome. I know several current students there, and their feelings on the gunner vibe is that it's a personal decision if you wanna study 24 hours a day, most don't. It's a top ranked med school, there will be gunners. They will be at Tulane also. Don't pick by "gunner reputation." They are ever-present!

 

[Louweezel]

congrats you guys! looking forward to seeing you all this fall 🙂