Wash U 2007, need help!!!

[cytanaka]

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Hi, I just got pulled off the Wash U waitlist, and decided to go there. But...since there's only like a month till classes start, I got tons of stuff to do, and was hoping some of you guys could answer some questions, esp. since i haven't received any info in the mail yet:

1. Where to Live? I hear different things about Olin. Is it easy to get a room in Olin, and how are the "suites" they have in there. Otherwise, how much is it for a single bedroom apt in the area. Does anyone have a good search engine or listings page to find an apt. Help!

2. Are there any kind of computer requirements, cause I was gonna buy a laptop soon.

3. Is it possible to have a car if you live in an apt or in olin? Is it good to have a car, or not worth the trouble?

4. is there any random paperwork I will be getting that's a pain? (eg immunizations, tax stuff, etc)

5. When's white coat ceremony? Need to tell my family.

6. How you all doing? Can't wait to see you guys in St. Louis.

Thanks a lot you guys, see you all in august.

 

[siempre595]

Congrats again on the WashU acceptance. Here's my advice on your questions:
1. Olin is just ok. If you wanna save money and don't mind living in a dorm, a lot of the med students do live there and it's REALLY convenient, but it's a dorm again. 1 bedroom apartments in the area are, at the cheapest, around $400 and up to near $1000, depending on how nice you want. Most of what I looked at ranged from $550-800. There's a lot of high rises in the area that are generally really nice as well as some smaller buildings. If there's anyway you can come to StL and look it would be worth it, I got some surprises when I actually went into buildings versus what their websites say. Also, I'd suggest signing a lease quickly, I had places I was interested in, and within a day, they were gone. If you look at Stltoday.com there is a link to apartments, and a lot of the complexes are on there. The other alternative, if you can get to St. Louis still this summer, is to look at some privately leased places (not the big complexes) that are sometimes cheaper and not huge buildings. If you want to stay close by, look at the listings for the Central West End or Debaliviere, which is a bus ride away, but closer than other areas of St. Louis. Stuff that's listed as by the undergrad campus is not that close to the med school, so unless you wanna drive, don't end up there.
2.There's no comp requirements, WU's library generally has Dell's and Mac's, but I don't know of any students that take laptops to class or anything. I'd suggest getting a wireless connection since pretty much everything in the area has gone wireless.
3.Cars are definitely possible and honestly I don't know how I lived here over a year without one. Parking is not bad in general, most the apartment buildings have surface lots, although you might have to wait awhile to get a spot. There's a couple school lots for students, which are not widespread, but generally you can find somewhere to park. The city is a bit spread out (the med school stuff is all condensed though), so you CAN certainly survive without one, but it's a huge convenience, just for getting groceries, going outside the central west end, etc. If you can afford to do it, I'd highly suggest having a car.
4.The paperwork is pretty typical. You have to have a physical and present an immunization record. The financial stuff is all separate, if your FAFSA is in and your tax forms have gotten to their office, you'll get your financial info rather quickly.
5. White coat ceremony is Friday, August 15th, at 2 pm, in the Eric Newman center (big building next to both parking garages), reception follows. Orientation starts August 12th, at 8:30 am, I just got the package for all that stuff yesterday, so yours is probably coming. There's some stuff put on by certain groups that is happening the week before (some Christian retreat thing is like the 7th or 8th, but the official stuff starts the 12th).
lemme know if you need any more info.
🙂

 

[guitarguy]

I'd say live in Olin. If you don't have a car, some of your classmates living in Olin with you will. I'm sure you can tag along to the grocery store, etc. By the end of the year, you'll know the ins and outs of St Louis and you'll be able to make a more educated decision as to where to live for your second year.

Congrats on your acceptance!!

 

[Louweezel]

siempre seems to have all your questions covered, so I just want to say congrats on your acceptance and hi!! Looking forward to meeting all of you in August. I'll be living in Olin on the 10th floor. Drop by and say hello! 🙂