I was accepted to UAB with a contract seat, and I am about 99% sure i will attend there. I also applied to UMSL but it was only for a back up so I won't be doing the supplemental or interview. Anyways, I have family from the St. Louis area so I've visited many times. I can assure you it is not any safer than downtown Birmingham, haha. Especially East St. Louis. Not trying to discourage anyone from going there because my brother absolutely LOVES living in St. Louis, so there are "safe" spots too. The area just isn't for me. But I guess what I'm trying to say is almost every big city has the good and bad areas- so visit both and see which one you like!