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Transportation
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WeCar + Prepaid Exit
WeCar + Prepaid Exit
If you don't have a car, don't you worry, because there is a WeCar (almost) always behind the Olin Residence Hall. It's yours for $5 an hour (there is a separate rate for overnight use) and there are no hidden fees. (For comparison, a single-ride MetroLink fare is $2.25.) Also, for those who occasionally drive to the medical school, you can purchase a Prepaid Exit Pass (PEP) for either the WUSM Clayton Garage or Metro Garage. The PEP can be purchased in advance via cash or check from WUSM Transportation Services in denominations of five, 10, or 20 exits. Each card has bonus exits based on the number of exits purchased. The PEP is perfect for those who usually carpool, bike, walk, or use MetroLink to get to campus.
Transportation Staff
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Life with a Car
Life with a Car
Some may say walking is better for you. Some may say you're hurting the environment by having a car. Some may say you have an unhealthy dependence on a machine. To them I say ... I'm sorry. I can't hear you over the sound of my engine and subwoofers. Just kidding. I don't have subwoofers, but I do love my car. The MetroLink lightrail is great for some things, and I personally walk to class every day, but I love being able to go grocery shopping when I want to, form new relationships by giving other people rides, and explore all of St. Louis, not just the MetroLink stops. If you have a car, and you feel a similar attachment to it, I would highly recommend having it here. Gas is affordable, and cars are invaluable when it comes to preceptor shadowing, clinic visits, and selectives that require you to transport yourself.
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Life Without a Car
Life Without a Car
If everyone decided to not have a car, this advice wouldn't work. Luckily, many friends have a car and are willing to drive people around. It's a win-win situation because we all have a good time - eating good food, shopping together, volunteering at free clinics together, road-tripping, etc. Giving the drivers baked goods or a free meal helps as well. Don't worry about becoming friends with people just because they have a car; they're all pretty amazing people as well. When you want to be independent, it's still manageable and not too bothersome without a car. With tuition money, students get a MetroLink pass for free travel on the Metro trains and buses. Public transportation is more helpful for within the city and not so much for travel to the suburbs. The only two lines of the MetroLink can get you to the Danforth Campus, some shopping centers, and the airport, with trains every 15-20 minutes or so. Buses are not as frequent, so a bit more planning is necessary. There's also a WeCar (~ZipCar) program that has free membership for medical students, but you need to plan ahead to reserve the car. Overall, I definitely would have a car third year for when we go on rotations that are not at the medical school campus, but for now I'm okay.
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MetroLink and MetroBus
MetroLink and MetroBus
Parking on campus can cost as much as $6 a day, so what better way to save money than to use public transit. St. Louis doesn't have the most extensive public transit system, but we are lucky in that the train stops right in the heart of campus. The best part is that Wash U students can ride for free. Most of the train stations have free parking, and most of the stations have security. In some cases it's actually faster to take the train into campus rather than dealing with traffic and finding a parking space. The train is a great way to live a bit farther from campus, but to still have easy access. In addition to going to campus, you can also take the train to the mall, go downtown, and visit the many attractions that St. Louis has to offer. The one downside is that the trains don't run as frequently as in other larger cities, but during rush hour the trains run as often as every six minutes. The transit system also has buses that run off of the main train line. These only run about every 30 minutes, so the train is generally more convenient than the buses.
Jessica Miller, millerjes@wusm.wustl.edu
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Biking in St. Louis
Biking in St. Louis
I don't really see a point to writing this section, because there are no cons to having a bike. Basically, having a bike is like time travel. I roll out of bed after Anatomy lab has started, and arrive before it started. Reread the previous sentence if you didn't get it. I usually laugh at my classmates as I pass by them on Taylor Avenue. They wake up two hours before class starts and read the lecture notes. I read them on my bike because I don't need my hands. The best part of having a bike is that you are both a pedestrian and a car. Green light, red light, it don't matta. I pass on through like a boss. My car is like Woody during "Toy Story" when Andy got Buzz Lightyear. My legs love it. My hammies resemble those of Adrian Peterson. Best part of having a bike is avoiding those awkward conversations with your classmates that require a stop and chat. What do you do when you pass someone? Wave, smile, and ride on by. You don't have time to talk, you're on a bike, you ain't got time for that.
Saran Raju, rajus@wusm.wustl.edu
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Fitness
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On Keeping Fit in Med School
On Keeping Fit in Med School
"You tryna lift bro?" Some people choose to study musculoskeletal anatomy in the lab. I do most of mine in the shower. Haters be learners. As far I know, there are at least five muscles in the human body - biceps, triceps, pecs, latissimus dorsi, and legs. Red Bull gives you wings, sure; so do SEATED ROWS! I try to keep my diet balanced with all three food groups: protein, creatine, and caffeine. Besides lifting, I hear there's this thing called cardio fitness. For those who don't like simply taking weight gainers and building mass, there is apparently a cardio room stocked with treadmills, ellipticals, and other cardio machines. Also, right next to campus is Forest Park. I've never actually been there, but I hear it is full of running trails and constant activity. Some fellow students have run half marathons, 5 Ks, and full marathons in this area. Wimps, I'm gonna go take some NOExplode and get my lift on. FIRST YEARS!!!
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Student Health and Athletic Center (SHAC)
Student Health and Athletic Center (SHAC)
Experiencing some autonomic anxiety over the next anatomy exam? Feeling charged after Dr. Heuttner's electrochemical gradient lecture? Depolarize in WUSM's state-of-the-art Student Health and Athletic Center (affectionately called the SHAC) located on the second floor of Olin Hall. This student-managed, always-open, completely free fitness facility was made possible by generous donation and is stacked to the delts with some of the best fitness equipment you can find without trekking over to the Danforth Campus. The SHAC is divided into two realms: the heart-pumping, fat-burning Cardio Room, complete with treadmills, ellipticals, and TVs, and the plate-stacking, mass-building Weight Room, loaded with machines, free weights, and mats to work every muscle you can think of (and a few that you didn't know existed until you get them good and sore). Whether you are a casual athlete or a fitness freak chock full of supplements, the SHAC's got something for you. And if you're looking for a spotter or just good conversation mixed in with your workout, peak hours are between 4 and 6 pm on weekdays. So throw on that sports bra, pull up those compression shorts, dissolve that creatine, and let's just do this. It's go-time! But don't forget to re-rack your weights, or the SHAC trainers will re-rack you.
Luke Dvoracek, dvoracekl@wusm.wustl.edu
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Intramural Sports
Intramural Sports
Oh man. Best part about intramural (IM) sports thus far: narrowly edging out the Wash U undergrad club Frisbee team in the IM Ultimate Frisbee championship. Worst part: getting crushed by the club volleyball team in the men's volleyball semifinals .... Such are the ups and downs in the life of an IM sport enthusiast. You crush some, you get crushed some, and the majority of the time you don't compete against club teams, in which case you also crush. A true testament to just how much time you have first year: Halfway through the year, I've played on five intramural teams. By the end of the year, my total team count will be 10. Whether participating in sports that I kinda actually play, or pretending to contribute to sports that I don't actually play, having fun with your classmates in an athletic setting has been one of my favorite parts about first year. Before starting first year, I had absolutely no idea that our med school class would be able to field a legitimately competitive team for almost every sport. My goal by the time I graduate is to have a clean IM Champions T-shirt to wear every day of the week. With seemingly no shortage of determined and athletic classmates, this lofty goal just may be possible.
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Club Sports
Club Sports
Too many "Intramural Champion" T-shirts clogging up closet space? Looking to play a sport for more than just three times a year? Give club sports a try! Wash U has 31 club sports teams, so there is something for everyone. Joining a club team gives you the chance to make friends outside of the Central West End medical bubble. Having a family of teammates outside of class is awesome, especially when November rolls around and you have lost the ability to talk about anything other than anatomy or biochem with your classmates. It can also be rough trying to find time to work out with crazy schedules. It is so nice to have a set practice time when you know you will be able to work off some calories from all those pizza dinners.
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Running
Running
Lots of people love running. (Lots more hate it, but if you're reading this I'm going to assume that you're at least curious, which really means you're a runner-waiting-to-happen.) And, whether you're a past, current, or future runner, Wash U is the perfect place for you. A. You're in med school, which means you're surrounded by people interested in staying fit and - let's face it - running has to be the most accessible and efficient way to do that. Suffice it to say you can probably find a friend to keep you company on your daily jog. B. Wash U is right next to Forest Park. You can do the six-mile dirt path perimeter or run through the park's interior for some extra mileage and/or diversity. (Art Hill? The Boathouse? It's all gorgeous.) C. The weather in St. Louis isn't bad. If the winters were colder and snowier or the summers were hotter and more humid, you might want to run on a Student Health and Athletic Center treadmill, but they're not, so you can run outside year-round. D. There are plenty of races to give you training targets. (Check out the St. Louis Track Club website.) These races give you the perfect opportunity to get a group of your classmates together to train and compete. Because you may forget who was in your Physio small group, but you will never forget who you completed your first half-marathon with.
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Volleyball
Volleyball
Are you the kind of player that puts the smack down on your enemies ... umm ... opponents? Can you dig better than a backhoe loader? Are your sets smoother than butter, more accurate than a sniper, and fluffier than a pillow? Is that even a good thing for a set? Do you have no volleyball skill but like to pretend and have a ton of fun anyway? Well, you are in luck. Wash U med has definitely surprised me with the level of athletic enthusiasm and ability. And with three guys over 6'5" (myself included), probably five or six over 6'4", we definitely have the height. The first-years fielded two men's volleyball intramural teams this year, and did really well before running into the club team in the semifinals (... they are allowed to play IM??). We also have a bunch of pickup games in the Olin Residence Hall gym and the Forest Park sand court at varying intensities. Tall or short, good or bad, playing volleyball is a great time and a great way to blow off some steam from classes. So stop being lazy and get on the courts. ... We can't wait to play with (against ...) you next year!
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Necessities
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Banks
Banks
St. Louis is missing a number of important banks. For example, there is only one Wells Fargo ATM in the entire city. There are a few different solutions to this problem: Get a local bank, or open an account with a brokerage firm (Charles Schwab). The most popular bank is Bank of America, which seems to have an unnecessary number of ridiculous rules. Brokerage firms let you use any ATM, and they reimburse the fees! And you can mail in your checks for deposit. Plus, they give you bottles of water and snacks when you visit the office.
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Beauty Salons and Barbershops
Beauty Salons and Barbershops
I was a frequent patron of Great Clips back home and quite used to their industrial d‚cor, but Cutter's and Co.'s opulence left me wondering if I was in the wrong place: welcoming chairs in the waiting room, a designer coffee table, and a mini-fridge stocked to the brim with water, soda, and BEER. Yes, BEER. Once you are ushered inside, you are seated on a magnificent leather throne as they begin work on your mane. By the time you are done, you are sad you have to leave and positively itching to schedule your next hair cutting appointment. All of this for the cheerful price of $17. C&C is a place that makes you wish your hair grew faster than 0.5 inches a month.
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Computers
Computers
You need one. It could be a tablet, netbook, notebook, ultrabook, or desktop. It could be running Windows, Linux or OS X. It could be brand spankin' new or ancient. As long as you can access the all-important Facebook via the Interwebz and can create, edit and view common document formats (.pdf, .docx, .ppt, etc.), you'll be fine. Having touch input might be useful, but the vast majority of people do just fine without it, and be warned that if you are relying solely on a tablet for all of your computing needs, you may have a rough time.
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Libraries
Libraries
Other than Becker Medical Library, there is a wide variety of libraries available to medical students. On the Danforth Campus, there are several libraries with books, journals, DVDs, and CDs in all conceivable academic subjects. For all you musically talented, the music library is a wonderful resource. But if you can't find something, no worries, the interlibrary loan will find it for you and ship it to Wash U, where you can check it out and read to your heart's content. And while we are supposed to be academically immersed, it is possible to obtain non-medically oriented books at the public libraries. If you live in St. Louis City, you can get free membership at the 17 branches of the St. Louis Public Library. All members get 200 pages of free printing every month. Yes, the printing is one-sided and black-and-white, but since there's no free printing at Wash U, the 200 pages/month are really valuable. If you're in the county, you can get free membership at the Municipal Library Consortium, which has branches in most of the cities within the St. Louis County area. Unfortunately, there is no free printing associated with this membership, but the consortium has a wide variety of popular books and media.
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Pets
Pets
I'm a bleeding heart about animals. I'm vegetarian, I freaked out when the cow eyes were busted out in Anatomy, and I think my cats are the bestest things in the whole world. As such, I think everyone's lives would be a little brighter if they owned a pet or two, which is totally doable in med school with a little extra time, money, and thought. First off: Find an apartment that allows animals, which really isn't that hard in St. Louis. You may have to pay a little extra, but it's definitely worth it. As we all know, cats are more low-maintenance than dogs. All you really have to do is feed them and change the litter box every few days, then enjoy their ridiculousness/cuddles. Dogs require more attention, but give it back in scads. The all-day class/selective/studying schedules at Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (FLTC) are going to have to be broken up to go home and let him/her out. Check out the Banfield vet plans for a great alternative to the pay-as-you-go insane vet bills. Be prepared for a little bit of guilt at not spending enough time with your friend, but the stress relief is amazing. And, of course, adopt from a local shelter!!
Elyse Aufman, aufmane@wusm.wustl.edu
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Safety
Safety
When I was interviewing at Wash U, I was shocked to hear several people say, "I love Wash U, but I don't know about St. Louis. It's just so dangerous." I know there are parts of St. Louis that actually are very dangerous. Luckily, Wash U isn't in those areas. The Central West End (the part of the city where Wash U is) is actually a very nice, and safe, part of the city. There are a ton of shops, parks, restaurants, etc. around the school. I have never felt unsafe walking around the campus, not at 8:35 am running through campus late to class, and not at 12:30 am ambling home after a post-Anatomy-exam party. Of course, anyone has to use common sense to stay safe. Don't walk around late at night all by yourself (which goes for any major city), always be aware of your surroundings (ditto), and never take candy from strangers (unless it's chocolate, which is delicious). But in all honestly, as someone who doesn't like feeling cramped anywhere, I wouldn't be happy at a school where I felt unsafe outside the confines of the campus, and thankfully, I'm completely happy at Wash U.
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Student Health Services
Student Health Services
WUSM Student Health Services may be the only student health program in the nation that doesn't ask you immediately after you walk in the door whether you're pregnant, have mono, or need STD testing. Appointments are shockingly easy to come by, the building is right across the street from the FLTC, and, most importantly, it's free (with $50,000 in tuition). Plus, most specialist visits and prescription medications are only $10. Counseling and psychiatric care are also available through Student Health Services, and our insurance covers regular vision and dental appointments. wusmhealth.wustl.edu
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Employment
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Having a Job in Med School -- Valary Raup
Having a Job in Med School
Yes, it is possible, although I'm assuming it will get harder as time goes on. If you had a job during undergrad and are used to managing your time carefully, you will probably be able to work one day a week if you are diligent about staying on top of studying around exam time (or if you just request off, like me). Having a job helps relieve the guilt associated with drinking $40 worth of Rumpleminze at the Annex on too many nights a month using money acquired from student loans. Some people tutor for the MCAT, and some volunteer their time/bodies for medical research. Personally, I work from 9 am to 5:30 pm every Sunday as a pharmacy technician at the Walgreens on Lindell (across from Schnucks). It is worth losing a day of studying for the comic relief provided by the patient population that I serve.
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Having a Job in Med School -- Stephanie Higgins
Having a Job in Med School
Having a job in medical school is difficult. There's already so much going on with class, new friends, and extracurricular activities that it can be hard to find the time to work. Most people don't even try, and the people that do work very limited hours. I work as a research assistant at a lab on campus and am able to work about five to 10 hours each week. It helps that I started working there before coming to med school; trying to get established at a new job during your first semester of medical school would be even more difficult. If you do get a job, make sure you have flexible hours. Sometimes class schedules change, or you might have unexpected afternoon review schedules that you need to go to. You can manage all this if you stay extremely well-organized, but it definitely adds another level of stress to your life. My advice is to think carefully before taking a job in medical school.
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Religion
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Atheism/Agnosticism
Atheism/Agnosticism
So you're an atheist. (horror of horrors! - Stephanie) Or maybe you're one of those dreaded agnostics. (I am one, so I'm allowed to say that - Elyse) Maybe you're out of the closet, maybe you're still in it, or maybe you just don't quite know how to classify your beliefs. No matter what, you're going to find Wash U an excellent place to be. We have yet to find one example of anyone being intolerant of our beliefs, and in many cases we've found people who agree with us, or who are at least willing to get into lively debates with us. It's amazing to be surrounded by a bunch of wildly intelligent people who accept you for who you are and respect what you believe, even if it isn't quite in line with their beliefs. We've got Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and various other faiths represented, so throwing in a little of our brand(s) of non-religion works out nicely. Don't be shy, either; you never know who else you're going to find as a like-minded friend!
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Catholicism
Catholicism
Whether you're an Easter/Christmas kind or a fasting, ash-bearing, saint petitioner like myself, you'll find a Catholic community at Wash U and in St. Louis. If you doubt me, look at the namesake of our city - case and point ... Catholic-friendly. Located just a few blocks from the medical school is the breathtaking Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Home of the world's largest mosaic, which graces its walls and domed ceilings, the Cathedral is certainly inspiring, and a decent number of WUSM students attend, so you can go with a friend. The other popular destination is the Catholic Student Center on Wash U's campus. The 9 pm Mass is full of students and will certainly rejuvenate your faith, especially if you enjoy a more non-traditional approach to Catholicism. These two churches offer both ends of the spectrum, but I am happy to suggest others around the area; I've definitely church-shopped (the only type of shopping I enjoy). Maintaining faith can be difficult in a science-heavy, biologically driven place like medical school, but there are definitely people to support you and help you integrate medicine and faith, including our very own dean of student affairs, Dr. Lisa Moscoso.
Austin Wesevich, wesevicha@wusm.wustl.edu
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Christianity
Christianity
Coming to medical school, I was scared that I would not continue to grow in my faith. However, upon coming to St. Louis, I can see how God is working here and in my life. People are accepting of others' personal beliefs, and it's been great talking about our different views. Wash U's Christian Medical Association holds weekly meetings where I've been encouraged by other students' and physicians' thoughts of how to live out our faiths in the medical world. We have opportunities to interact with Saint Louis University's CMA as well, through joint praise nights (worship), retreats, or other fun activities. I really enjoy going to a nearby church called The Journey with fellow classmates. It is a big church so it requires more effort to get to know others, but I love the service and love how the message challenges me to think more about my relationship with God. St. Louis has a large population of underserved people, and participating in various community service opportunities reminds me of God's love for people. I learn how God is glorified in my career and work here when I focus on God.
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Hinduism
Hinduism
Disclaimer: I'm not incredibly religious; however, it is easy to keep your faith at medical school in St. Louis. There are about four temples across town, including the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, which has incredibly good dosas and is built in the south Indian style of the Meenakshi Mandir. For Bengalis out there, Durga puja is celebrated at the Tagore center here. Your class will no doubt have those who share your beliefs. We invite all of the future first-years to our own small diwali puja, which is separate from the diwali show put up by APAMSA (do perform in that too). The community does exist in Wash U, with a substantial number of Hindu faculty, graduate students, etc. Overall, Wash U and St. Louis at large has more than enough resources to meet your spiritual needs. For those that know of Hinduism through yoga, there's quite a good yoga class offered for relatively little cost that I'm sure is addressed elsewhere in this guide.
Avik Som, soma@wusm.wustl.edu
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Islam
Islam
Being a Muslim always comes with its inherent challenges, and being a Muslim in St. Louis is no different. One difficulty may be that you are one of the few, if not the only Muslim in your class. However, there is a small but active community on the Danforth Campus just two miles away (www.msa.wustl.edu). There is also a full Masjid just a few blocks east on SLU's campus with daily services. Praying is easy with a non-denominational chapel in the hospital, or you can just cop an empty room.
Gateway Masjid (Masjid Bilal), 3843 West Pine Blvd., (314) 531-8646, 1.5 miles east of campus.
Islamic Foundation of Saint Louis (Daar ul-Islam), 517 Weidman Road, Manchester, MO, www.islamicfoundationstl.org, 19.2 miles west of campus.
Amir Esmaeeli, esmaeelia@wusm.wustl.edu;
Wajeeh Bakhsh, Bakhshw@wusm.wustl.edu
Tarek Salih, saliht@wusm.wustl.edu
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Judaism
Judaism
On being Jewish in medical school ... There is really only one response to this prompt: Jewish doctors. There are many of them here and, I am certain, at the vast majority of medical institutions in the United States. If you are worried about being Jewish in medicine, you clearly did not watch enough "Will & Grace" during the season where Deborah Messing fell for Harry Connick Jr., though I am certainly not insinuating that all of the menches here have Harry's charm and good looks ... and certainly not his singing voice. All references to 90s sitcoms aside, being Jewish in St. Louis is just like being Jewish anywhere else. There are plenty of people from the tribe in the medical school and the general community. You will find people to celebrate the holidays with, and you'll find people to invite who have previously been deprived of (alcoholic) Passover Sedars, just to show them what it's like. So don't fret; we might not have Zabar's, but there is a great Jewish deli that serves fabulous matzo ball soup next to the FroYo place on Wydown.
Lauren Wessel, wessell@wusm.wustl.edu
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Keeping Halal in St. Louis
Keeping Halal in St. Louis
If you choose to keep Halal while at Wash U, you are in for a pleasant surprise. It is pretty easy with close halal grocery stores and restaurants. These restaurants are even of different ethnic variety, from South Asian to Middle Eastern. If you have a car, the options expand considerably as there is a strong Muslim community in West County in Manchester, Mo. On Manchester Road in that area you will find a street full of Halal restaurants and grocery stores. Listed below are a few closer spots to make keeping Halal easier.
- The Vine Halal Middle Eastern Cuisine and Grocery Store, 3171 S. Grand Blvd., (314) 776-0991, www.thevinestl.com
- Central Caf‚ Halal Middle Eastern Cuisine and Hookah, 331 N. Euclid Ave., (314) 875-0657, www.centralcafestl.com
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Latter-Day Saints
Latter-Day Saints
Being LDS in St. Louis is awesome. There are a couple LDS kids in each class, so you have mentors and support around you within the school. The temple is just a short 15-minute drive down I-64 west from the medical school. Many of the church's historical sites are within a few hours, including Nauvoo, Ill., and Independence, Mo. The ward that most of the LDS students at Wash U and SLU's various schools attend, the Lindell Ward, is an amazing congregation with a great mix of professional and graduate students and their spouses, younger and established working professionals, and those from a needier background, giving you the opportunity to find plenty of opportunities for fellowship, mentorship, and service. There are activities going on all of the time, including sports, games, card groups, play groups, etc. If you're single, the Chesterfield Second Branch is a strong YSA branch with about 80 regularly attending members and great activities in the area as well.
- Lindell Ward, 3933 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, MO (1.77 miles, (314) 231-2828, Sunday worship: 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
- Chesterfield 2nd Branch (YSA), 15081 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO (22.80 miles), (314) 542-0587, Sunday worship: 1:30-4:30 pm.
Justin Krogue and Michael Wilson
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