Here are some ideas why SLU is SLU. I revised this from an early post of mine. I've posted this in allopathic. If it's too redundant, let me know and I'll erase it. Thanks.
1. one of the 4 jesuit medical schools (especially if you went to a jesuit undergrad, you understand)
2. diverse class (many different religions, ethnicities though a little low on latino med students)
3. large african american population and the student run clinic (the HRC) that caters to a large population of aa's.
4. large bosnian and vietnamese population
5. the university hospital caters to the city of st. louis and its 24% poverty level (most large cities have poverty rates of about 12%)
6. growing latino population and La Clinica (the clinic in south st. louis for primarily latinos)
7. great match list (especially if not sure if you want specialties or primary care), it leaves options opens. Numerous people matched to ortho, a couple in optho, this year a few in urology, and others in radiology. Primary care people tend to match good places as well.
8. awesome rotations (good number of specialites at slu are in top 50 in nation), hepatology is one of nations best, same w/geriatrics
9. you can do electives in medicine (like shadow docs or do community projects) as early as your first year. Yes, so that can count as clinical experience.
10. the city is unique in itself, its one of the most segregated but integrated cities in the nation. research it.
11. its hybrid pbl and traditional lecture (like most schools), it evolves and improves with time. Administration seeks feedback with curriculum.
12. Well rounded great teachers. I had one Cardiology physican/professor dress up as superman on halloween, a pediatrics physican lecturing on toxicology actually rap on stage, and biochem professors who were features on unsolved mysteries and incorporate the show into their lectures. A pathology professor acts in plays.
13. Good opportunities for research in St. Louis if you wish with the school. If you choose to do outside rotations or electives/research, alot of schools remember having SLU students and are very excited to have a slu student even if you go to let's say UCLA etc or other west coast school.
14. Everyone raves of Wash U of St. Louis research prowness, but when it comes to clinicians, SLU is well regarded in StL. A good number of underserved and poor patients are frequently turned away from Wash U and sent to SLU's hospitals.
15. Finally, people sometimes complain about there school. The administration in my humble opinion has strived to make sure we are happy as students. They've addressed concerns about tuition, comfort level, stress, and board scores with us over the years when we bring them up. That's priceless. Look for that in all your schools you interview for. Good luck.
StL is a pretty major metropolitan area of 3.5 million people. Contrast that with the 2nd largest city in the nation of Chicago which covers a smaller area but same population. Nevertheless, Stl isnt shabby at all and not as ghetto as when I came. The crime rate is the lowest since 1962 as of this year.
p.s. The Dean plays golf so if you are an advid golfer, bring that up. He's a pretty cool guy but like most faculty, had did well in medical school and expects you to do the same.
hope that helps,
wyldstyle
class 2005
slu school of medicine
