MCW vs SLU

[BAM!]

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How do these schools match up in terms of prestige, clinical programs, research, happy students, work load. Also is St. Louis a fun city? Is it worth flying out to visit SLU?

thanks

 

[jbone]

How do these schools match up in terms of prestige, clinical programs, research, happy students, work load. Also is St. Louis a fun city? Is it worth flying out to visit SLU?

thanks

I'd go MCW. Fantastic school. Nothing against SLU, but I have a lot of friends at MCW and they LOVE it. Good choices to have. Good luck. 👍

 

[Pewl]

SLU won't be as cold as MCW. Plus, SLU has an undergrad college associated with it. =D

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Oooh, tough choice. Either Milwaukee or St. Louis.....personally I'm not a fan of either of the cities.

 

[BAM!]

SLU won't be as cold as MCW. Plus, SLU has an undergrad college associated with it. =D

hey, so did you visit SLU or do one of the regional interviews? I did the regional interview - so all I really know about the school is what I learned from the interview, MSAR, and website. Have you visited the school?

Do people in missouri speak w/ an accent? meaning, will lectures be difficult for me (california-bred) to understand? I went to AECOM and didn't understand a damn word they were saying.

 

[Pewl]

hey, so did you visit SLU or do one of the regional interviews? I did the regional interview - so all I really know about the school is what I learned from the interview, MSAR, and website. Have you visited the school?

Do people in missouri speak w/ an accent? meaning, will lectures be difficult for me (california-bred) to understand? I went to AECOM and didn't understand a damn word they were saying.

I grew up in Indiana but have lived in California the last 8 years. Trust me, the people in St. Louis have NO accent at all. People in the Midwest don't generally have heavy accents, with the exception of like parts of wisconsin and minnesota, but they don't count.

I also had an on-site interview, so I visited the SLU campus. The medical campus is in a bad part of town but the hospitals and facilities looked pretty good. St. Louis is a cool city. Not ridiculous and faceless like NY, not quite as cold as Chicago, and not nearly as expensive (housing) as LA. I'm happy with it. The cardinals and rams suck though. GO COLTS AND PACERS!!!!

 

[opmed]

I'll be attending MCW in the fall, so I'll give my plug for the school. I think the school has a good reputation clinically and in research. I have been doing research here on and off for the past 3 years, and a number of the departments have very good reputations. The medical complex with which MCW is affiliated is very strong and one of the best complexes in the state. The school is in a good neighborhood while still being close to more interesting areas of the city. From what I have heard, MCW is a program on the rise. The school is in the middle of huge addition that will increase it's research space. The students here are very friendly, and I can assure you that Wisconsinites have no accent...unless you go to the far northern reaches of the state...then it sounds a little like the movie "Fargo."
As far as the weather goes, I am from Wisconsin, so the weather didn't really have a role in my decision. In my opinion, the city of Milwaukee has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. It might not be as exciting as a New York, LA, or Chicago, but it is a very good place to live.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Where in IN Pewl?

 

[Agent Splat]

Without knowing anything about SLU, I'll go with my obvious bias and say MCW. However, I don't know what lecture time at SLU is like...and this is my big gripe about MCW: Too much freaking lecture, and they're a bit boring usually. At least for my usually overtired, easily wandering brain. We just had 4 hours of physiology and neuroscience lectures, and the latter was about as vague, useless, and boring as a lecture can get. Naturally, you don't have to go to lecture if you don't want to, though. Something to keep in mind. Lectures are available on mp3, and there is a co-op note taking organization you can join, so you don't have to rely on lecture if you don't want to.

Still, the facilities are great, and I'm looking forward to having my M3 and M4 years at the regional medical center here, which is truly one heck of a joint. Also, the student organizations are fantastic. Lots of stuff going on.

 

[firebird69guy]

Is there anyone that goes to SLU that can give a plug for the school? I'm holding an acceptance but had a regional interview and was unable to visit the campus to get a feel for it. Chances are I may fly out to check it out, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[45408]

Haha, sorry, firebird, I came in here to push MCW. I've been accepted there, and I think it's a great school. The people there really do seem to like being there, and judging from what I hear on SDN, that's not a universal thing.

 

[Hawkeye Kid]

Is there anyone that goes to SLU that can give a plug for the school? I'm holding an acceptance but had a regional interview and was unable to visit the campus to get a feel for it. Chances are I may fly out to check it out, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

Another of the MCW folk here, but as a graduating senior (medical student, that is) I would HIGHLY advise that you book that flight. You would be foolish to matriculate at a school that you have never actually seen in person, unless perhaps it's your only acceptance and you're hell-bent on starting next year. Even then, though, you should check the place out. In fact, I really don't understand why schools even offer regional interviews. It might seem on the surface like they're doing you a service, but I question that in the long run.

Anyhoo, I'll echo the "MCW rocks" sentiment and leave it at that.

 

[Zymogen]

St. Louis is a cool city. I used to work downtown on the landing. Tons of bars and casinos. Lots of history. Great sports teams as well 👍

 

[zook]

Another of the MCW folk here, but as a graduating senior (medical student, that is) I would HIGHLY advise that you book that flight. You would be foolish to matriculate at a school that you have never actually seen in person, unless perhaps it's your only acceptance and you're hell-bent on starting next year. Even then, though, you should check the place out. In fact, I really don't understand why schools even offer regional interviews. It might seem on the surface like they're doing you a service, but I question that in the long run.

Anyhoo, I'll echo the "MCW rocks" sentiment and leave it at that.

I recommend what s/he said too. While I don't know much about MCW (although I probably would've applied if I didn't hate the cold), I interviewed at SLU last month. I liked St. Louis, but the medical school is in kind of a rough area of town. Also, I did not get a good vibe from the people there (students and administration), so I withdrew my app after I interviewed. I think some people really love it though, so I won't go into any details of what I didn't like or it'll just turn into a debate - I'll just leave it at "I got a bad vibe" If you already have an acceptance though, I would first question whether you would actually go there if accepted. Their costs are among the highest in the nation.

 

[jon0013]

I recommend what s/he said too. While I don't know much about MCW (although I probably would've applied if I didn't hate the cold), I interviewed at SLU last month. I liked St. Louis, but the medical school is in kind of a rough area of town. Also, I did not get a good vibe from the people there (students and administration), so I withdrew my app after I interviewed. I think some people really love it though, so I won't go into any details of what I didn't like or it'll just turn into a debate - I'll just leave it at "I got a bad vibe" If you already have an acceptance though, I would first question whether you would actually go there if accepted. Their costs are among the highest in the nation.

when i interviewed there i didnt really get a good vibe...maybe it was because it was cold and cloudy and the school seemed to be in a bad part of st louis...also the facilities are a bit older than other facilities i've seen so that was a turnoff...

 

[MDCali]

Hey i had a regional interview at SLU and got in. I've never been to saintlouis or the midwest for that matter. I'm gonna go if it's my only acceptance. It would be nice if someone from SLU could say something about the school.

 

[BAM!]

I'm in the same boat. Fortunately they refund your deposit if you change your mind before May 15th.

The only thing I know about st. louis is that it's on the mississippi, it's got a big statue thing that extends over the river, and Sheryl Crowe is originally from Missouri.

So there are casinos in St. Louis...

Also, how much does an avg year's education cost? - someone said it was among the highest in the nation.

 

[BAM!]

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[firebird69guy]

I'd be stoked to go to SLU!! The undergrad school seems nice enough and it looks beautiful there (from the videos and pictures I've seen on the website). I think I'd like to go to a med school that has a nice undergrad program and campus. I also had a regional interview so I'd definitely go check it out before I commit. I'll send my $100 deposit tomorrow.. I must say, we shouldn't be disappointed about attending a school like SLU. Let's be happy that we got in! We're priveledged to go to a med school in USA!!!


Keep your head up, be happy!! SLU seems like a great bar town too, and although I'm a big SF Giants fan, at least the Giants will come through a few times to play them!! (Compared to being in an American league town)..

Good luck guys!

 

[Messerschmitts]

The undergrad school seems nice enough and it looks beautiful there (from the videos and pictures I've seen on the website).

There are videos on the SLU website? Where? I have very limited visual information about SLU since I did the regional interview, and I left right afterward the interview without even noticing they set up a slide-show in the other room until after I left! (My father, who took me, said, "I forgot to tell you to look at the slide show!")

I wish they had prepared one of those fat info-filled interivew-day folders for us like at all the other schools. Feels like a fake medical school we got into or something. Ha ha, j/k.

 

[firebird69guy]

http://suddenlyorange.com/stream/slu_video.html


enjoy... although it is the undergrad campus, a lot is said about the culture

 

[Beau Geste]

Mt first year of college was at SLU. It's a good school, many people think highly of it. As an undergrad, it seemed that most of the people I saw were from the area high schools and were in the top 25%, but it also turned very clique-y. Of course, medical school means people from all over the country so I'm sure that's different. When I went there, I lived in Reinert Hall, and on some days there was an awful smell, kinda like a meat plant or tire plant or something wafting over the campus.

It's in a rough area, but a few blocks up the road and you are by the Fox theater (Broadway shows), and a short bus ride away is Forest Park (Science Center, Zoo, Muny, Wash U not far). You don't have to live on campus, and it only takes 15-20 minutes to get from an area of inexpensive, safe housing to the school (I'm thinking Illinois or South County). I happened to live on campus, and never had problems, but I did have a roommate who ventured off campus late at night and was mugged. (Off-campus by about 10 blocks).

Overall, St. Louis is a very fun city. There are the Cards, Rams, hockey, soccer, rugby, you name it for sports. Many suburbs have decent nightlife as well as downtown Laclede's Landing.

There are constantly festivals and parades (St. Patrick's is a big one) and the Fair St. Louis is kind of like Taste of Chicago, only less annoying and expensive. There are also many major cities a short trip from St. Louis like Chicago and Memphis.

I will warn, you, for those that live in CA or other southern states and think they know what hot is, it gets HOT in St. Louis. In July-August, it's not uncommon for the temperature to be in the high 90's and 100's, and it's ungodly HUMID with little or no breeze.

Winters are typically on the milder side with occasional snow but usually staying in the 30's or higher.

Overall, SLU is a decent school, but the tuition is really absurd.

 

[MDCali]

I'd be stoked to go to SLU!! The undergrad school seems nice enough and it looks beautiful there (from the videos and pictures I've seen on the website). I think I'd like to go to a med school that has a nice undergrad program and campus. I also had a regional interview so I'd definitely go check it out before I commit. I'll send my $100 deposit tomorrow.. I must say, we shouldn't be disappointed about attending a school like SLU. Let's be happy that we got in! We're priveledged to go to a med school in USA!!!


Keep your head up, be happy!! SLU seems like a great bar town too, and although I'm a big SF Giants fan, at least the Giants will come through a few times to play them!! (Compared to being in an American league town)..

Good luck guys!

The website pictures and videos better be nice. They're there to promote the school. This is true for any school's website. I'm sure once you go there you'll get a more realistic view of what it all looks like.

 

[Pewl]

Where in IN Pewl?

I grew up in Carmel, IN

 

[Pewl]

I'm in the same boat. Fortunately they refund your deposit if you change your mind before May 15th.

The only thing I know about st. louis is that it's on the mississippi, it's got a big statue thing that extends over the river, and Sheryl Crowe is originally from Missouri.

So there are casinos in St. Louis...

Also, how much does an avg year's education cost? - someone said it was among the highest in the nation.

The St. Louis arch is cool, along with the FREE Budweiser Brewery tours and FREE beer samples at the end of the tour! The Zoo is free too!

The cardinals and rams suck though. =P

 

[Pewl]

Mt first year of college was at SLU. It's a good school, many people think highly of it. As an undergrad, it seemed that most of the people I saw were from the area high schools and were in the top 25%, but it also turned very clique-y. Of course, medical school means people from all over the country so I'm sure that's different. When I went there, I lived in Reinert Hall, and on some days there was an awful smell, kinda like a meat plant or tire plant or something wafting over the campus.

It's in a rough area, but a few blocks up the road and you are by the Fox theater (Broadway shows), and a short bus ride away is Forest Park (Science Center, Zoo, Muny, Wash U not far). You don't have to live on campus, and it only takes 15-20 minutes to get from an area of inexpensive, safe housing to the school (I'm thinking Illinois or South County). I happened to live on campus, and never had problems, but I did have a roommate who ventured off campus late at night and was mugged. (Off-campus by about 10 blocks).

Overall, St. Louis is a very fun city. There are the Cards, Rams, hockey, soccer, rugby, you name it for sports. Many suburbs have decent nightlife as well as downtown Laclede's Landing.

There are constantly festivals and parades (St. Patrick's is a big one) and the Fair St. Louis is kind of like Taste of Chicago, only less annoying and expensive. There are also many major cities a short trip from St. Louis like Chicago and Memphis.

I will warn, you, for those that live in CA or other southern states and think they know what hot is, it gets HOT in St. Louis. In July-August, it's not uncommon for the temperature to be in the high 90's and 100's, and it's ungodly HUMID with little or no breeze.

Winters are typically on the milder side with occasional snow but usually staying in the 30's or higher.

Overall, SLU is a decent school, but the tuition is really absurd.

Hey, could you tell me about ragweed season in St. Louis? I used to have TERRIBLE allergies in Indiana right around allergy season (august/september). How bad is it in St. Louis?

 

[Beau Geste]

Hey, could you tell me about ragweed season in St. Louis? I used to have TERRIBLE allergies in Indiana right around allergy season (august/september). How bad is it in St. Louis?

Unfortunately August-September usually records some of the highest levels in the country for ragweed and pollen. But, since it's so hot, you are typically indoors with air-conditioning so that's a plus. I would imagine it's probably about the same as where you live. There's a lot of agriculture outside of the St. Louis metro region, just like outside the Indy metro region.

 

[pingouin]

The St. Louis arch is cool, along with the FREE Budweiser Brewery tours and FREE beer samples at the end of the tour! The Zoo is free too!

The cardinals and rams suck though. =P

Ok, I'll give you the Rams this year, but the Cards? I wouldn't say that around here, man...

Also free: Art Museum, Science Center, History Museum.
More obscure, not sure of cost: Bowling Hall of Fame, Museum of Transportation

I also went to SLU for undergrad (all 4 years) and am currently working PRN at one of SLU Med's teaching hospitals. Several friends have gone through SLU Med, and loved it- I'm hoping to go there myself. Both med and undergrad campuses have changed drastically in the last 15 years thanks to Fr. Biondi. He's really made an effort to spruce it up, and there's a lot of "green space" now, as well as statues everywhere. He's also been gating off the campus to surrounding areas to make it more safe, and had the city close off several streets to make walking malls- fewer random people to be coming onto campus. And oh, the lighting- at least on the main campus, it looks like you could land an airplane on the walking mall. There's a huge campus police force, and when I was there, if you had to go somewhere and didn't feel safe- they'd take you. I don't ever remember smelling what Megboo mentioned, but I do remember smelling the brewery while on-campus (baking bread- could be worse). I can't think of any reasons why the med students would be spending much time on the undergrad campus. It's an easy walk, but due to traffic, weather, and safety, most people ride the shuttle bus between campuses.

The med students and residents I've worked with so far seem pretty cool, and to have good relationships with each other and their attendings. More importantly, out in the community SLU docs have a reputation for good bedside manner and high ethical standards. My full-time work has always put me in touch with lots of doctors, and it often turns out that the ones I really like- who are down to earth, who are excellent clinically, who are willing to work as a team- did either SLU Med or residency.

Regarding housing, I'd shoot for 10-15 minutes off-campus, and unless you're serious about needing to live in an apartment complex, I'd save money and go with a 1- or 2-bedroom in a 2- or 4-family building in South City- I paid $425/month for a 1BR with central air and brand new hardwood. There were several SLU Med students living down around me, incl my college roommate and her husband, and he said it was an easy drive on local roads to get to school. Areas to look at would include Tower Grove Park area (depending on the block), the Hill (very Italian), and the area bounded by Kingshighway, Chippewa, Fyler, and Jamieson (St. Louis Hills? some people still think it's part of the Hill.. some call it South City.. whatever). Hampton Gardens is right there, but I think they rip you off from what I've seen.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. Also echoed- yes, the ragweed, pollen, etc are horrible here. Sorry- not much escaping it in this part of the Midwest.

 

[nicholasblonde]

Hey, could you tell me about ragweed season in St. Louis? I used to have TERRIBLE allergies in Indiana right around allergy season (august/september). How bad is it in St. Louis?

St. Louis is one of the worst cities in the country for ragweed. I'm in the same boat as you, which is why I want to go to Oregon (interviewing soon) instead of SLU (accepted already).

I think I'll even bring it up in my interview that I have ragweed allergies....and take a map from the Academy of Allergists or something that shows Oregon and Washington having some of the lowest ragweed prevalence of any states in the U.S.

I LOVE OREGON

 

[nicholasblonde]

St. Louis is one of the worst cities in the country for ragweed. I'm in the same boat as you, which is why I want to go to Oregon (interviewing soon) instead of SLU (accepted already).

I think I'll even bring it up in my interview that I have ragweed allergies....and take a map from the Academy of Allergists or something that shows Oregon and Washington having some of the lowest ragweed prevalence of any states in the U.S.

I LOVE OREGON

Also, if your insurance will pay for it, and you can get your doctor to say you have asthma "inadequately controlled by corticosteroid (advair) inhalers" and you have a moderate to high IgE count (which you do, if you have significant ragweed allergies)....get an injectable drug called "Xolair"--it's a synthetic antibody that binds up all the IgE antibodies in your system, and though it is approved for asthma, if you can get it, it will also completely do away with your ragweed allergies.....it's expensive as hell though, so you have to get your insurance co to pay for it or apply for it via the "Access to Care Foundation" which gives out drugs for free to poor med students like us.

 

[zack_morris]

I have a little experience with both schools- I interviewed at SLU and was accepted for med school, but went somewhere else because SLU is a private school with tuition around 40K per year (4 years ago, could be more now). For those of you who are about to enter med school, this may mean a lot to you since government loans cap at 36K per year. With living expenses, you will be taking out about 15-20K in private loans per year, with at least 10-12% interest that begins while you are in school.

As far as MCW goes, I interviewed there for residency about a month ago. I drove there from an interview in chicago, and it took about an hour- big plus for milwaukee is that you can actually afford to live there, can easily get around, and you are 1 hour from a big city. I met a couple MCW students at the interview and they seemed happy with the education.

if the original poster of this thread has more questions, feel free to pm me.