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Academics
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Physiology
Physiology 
Course Master: Robert "Uncle Bob" Wilkinson, PhD (wilk@wustl.edu)
Blocks: 1-2
Teaching Style: Lecture, with small-group discussion
Grading: Five short answer and multiple-choice exams, homework assignments
Passing: 70%*
Physiology runs through both blocks 1 and 2. Opinion on the class is divided among those who love it or hate it, with no one in-between. The course emphasizes the big picture, so you need not worry about being tested on minutiae. Physiology is a nice break from other medical school courses, which reward students who memorize a laundry list of details. Uncle Bob, the course master, was one of the main advocates of the pass-fail system and wishes students learned for the sake of learning rather than for grades. If you learn the concepts, understand basic math, and make an effort, you should be fine for all your exams.
*Physiology and Histology are combined as a single course called Cell and Organ Systems, so you have to pass both to pass the course.
Amir Esmaeeli, esmaeelia@wusm.wustl.edu
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Histology
Histology 
Course Master: Paul Bridgman, PhD (bridgmap@pcg.wustl.edu) Blocks: 1-2
Teaching Style: Lecture, microscopic lab with partner
Grading: Three exams, each with separate multiple-choice and cell-identification components, lab attendance
Passing: 70%*
Histology is like landing on an entirely different planet where everything is pink, darker pink, pinkish-purple, magenta, and - occasionally - bluish violet. Blobs blend into other blobs, and as Dr. Bridgman points to the "obvious" border between two very distinct layers of connective tissue, you may find yourself more than a little distressed at your complete inability to see this border. Histo is definitely one of the more frustrating classes of first year, just because it's completely new (for most people) and not very intuitive. My best advice would be to breathe, trust the process, and try not to take it too seriously - you'll lose your mind trying to name every cell. (Not even the TAs can do it.) The more you look at the slides, the easier it'll get, and definitely go to Bridgman's review ... It'll be very, very helpful in identifying the more high-yield stuff!
*Physiology and Histology are combined as a single course called Cell and Organ Systems, so you have to pass both to pass COS
Grace Um, Umg@wusm.wustl.edu
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Human Anatomy and Development
Human Anatomy and Development
Course Master: Glenn Conroy, PhD (conroyg@wustl.edu)
Block: 1
Teaching Style: Lecture; dissection lab with four to a table
Grading: Three timed practical exams
Passing: 65%
Anatomy is (in my humble opinion) the most awesome class of the first block of med school. The main lecturers are the all-knowing Drs. Conroy (probably the most adorable married couple you'll ever meet), who are well-traveled anthropologists and excellent dissectors. You're in lecture for an hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning (which may or may not be useful to you), and then you head up to lab for a three-hour stint with your four-person lab group. There's always a number of seasoned faculty and fresh-faced TAs wandering around to help you identify whatever crazy anatomic variation you've found today (I make no claims on the veracity of their identifications), and weekly radiology lectures on whatever tortuous part(s) are being taught about that week. One of the coolest bits is the clinical correlation lectures, where various Wash U physicians talk about their specialties (neurosurgery, OB/GYN, orthopedic surgery) and why anatomy is important to their practice. Like it or not, dissecting your cadaver is the first big step in becoming a physician. This is the class where you will make your first incision, hold a brain in your hands, and find your favorite body part. So glove up, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
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Molecular Cell Biology (MCB)
Molecular Cell Biology (MCB) 
Course Master: John Cooper, MD, PhD (jcooper@wustl.edu)
Block: 1
Teaching Style: Lecture and weekly small group discussions
Grading: Three exams with in-class and take-home portions, plus a few homework assignments Passing: Negotiable (meaning almost everyone does)
MSTP students may choose to take this graduate course in lieu of Molecular Foundations of Medicine for credit toward their PhDs (though not required for either the Immunology or Biophysics programs). The course consists of research-oriented lectures (topics are different each year) and faculty-led journal discussion sessions that are meant to challenge both your critical thinking skills and work ethic. The course load is fairly significant: Other than periodic problem sets, students are assigned a scientific paper to read and critique each week. There are three exams, with in-class and take-home parts. Though those taking MCB can enjoy an extra week of sleep-ins at the beginning of the year (as it starts near September), they pay the price later by staying an extra week at the end of the semester. Lectures are generally interesting and well-taught, but are not recorded, so tearing yourself out of bed to get to class in a half-conscious state soon becomes a talent that you will master - and it will definitely serve you well for many years to come!
Putzer Hung, phung@wustl.edu
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Molecular Foundations of Medicine (MFM)
Molecular Foundations of Medicine (MFM)
Course Master: Linda Pike, PhD (pikel@wusm.wustl.edu)
Block: 1
Teaching Style: Lecture and some small group
Grading: Two multiple-choice exams and three quizzes
Passing: 70%
Molecular Foundations of Medicine is basically medically relevant biochemistry with some cell biology mixed in here and there. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-10 am. Most of the sessions are lectures, but a few are small group sessions that reward students' attendance with extra credit on exams. The first half of the course is led almost entirely by Dr. Pike, while the second half generally involves lectures given by guest lecturers who are the experts in the topic they are presenting. While being taught by the experts is great, one of the drawbacks that occasionally surfaces is that the lectures in the second half of the course can be extremely specific, making it difficult for students to appreciate big-picture concepts. The lectures are recorded in audio only, but for the majority of the course this is not a problem as the course pack is thorough and reliable (in fact, it is not uncommon for students to skip lecture and read the course pack instead). There are two multiple-choice exams and four quizzes. The quizzes consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, which students first complete individually and then in groups of four. A student's final quiz grade is the average of his or her individual and group performance plus the number of points earned on the short-answer case study, which is completed as a group.
Bhuvic Patel, patelb@wusm.wustl.edu
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Immunology
Immunology
Course Master: Andrey Shaw, MD (ashaw@wustl.edu)
Block: 2
Teaching Style: Lecture and occasional small group sessions
Grading: One multiple-choice, in-class exam (80%), one take-home exam (10%), one online assessment (10%)
Passing: 50%
If I had to pick a movie as an analogy to Immunology, it would definitely be "Inception." And while it is true that they both begin with an "I", the similarities run much deeper. First of all, Immunology will both shock and stump you. With proteins that are produced by cells to act on those same cells to produce more of those same proteins, and memory cells that quiescently slumber to be awakened by some future kick, there's definitely a lot going on. But just like how "Inception's" soothing soundtrack keeps you from truly freaking out, the Immunology professors are there to guide you through the tangled mess of immunity. The class is phenomenally taught, and it's clear that the professors want to do whatever they can to help (whether that is throwing a Superbowl party in the auditorium or taking you out for beers to delve a little further into interferon). Logistically, the course is split into two halves: The first covers basic principles of immunology and the second covers clinical applications (transplantation, tumor immunology, etc.). The course pack provided and the recommended book are both useful and do a great job of summarizing all of the important information. And finally, Immunology does have some significant differences from "Inception." Most notably, it's amazingly applicable to everyday life (because who hasn't had a cold) and becomes crucial for understanding many of the diseases second year. And of course, there is a notable absence of Leonardo DiCaprio.
David Rubins, rubinsd@wusm.wustl.edu
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Microbes and Pathogenesis
Microbes and Pathogenesis
Course Master: Henry Huang, PhD, and Scott Hultgren, PhD
Block: 2
Teaching Style: Lecture
Grading: Three quizzes (15%), team project (15%), final exam (70%)
Passing: 65%
Gonorrhea, Anthrax, MRSA. Take your pick. Every terrifying pathogen you have ever heard about on the news (and a few more you hope to never hear about) will be explained in Microbes. The course is well organized, and on the first day you get a pack of Microbes cards. (Think Pokemon cards for med students.) The three quizzes cover bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. There is a review session each week to help you keep up with the material. I think the best part of the class is that it is clinically oriented. You get to learn about diseases in the context of actual cases, which makes for a much more engaging lecture.
Zachary Meyer, meyerz@wusm.wustl.edu
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Medical Genetics
Medical Genetics
Course Master: Susan Dutcher, PhD
Block: 2
Teaching Style: Lecture and small groups
Grading: One problem set, quizzes, and
in-class exam.
Passing: 60%
If you haven't taken a course on genetics before, don't worry. The nice thing about this course is that it starts off slow for the first two weeks to teach you the basics. The best part is that these lectures are optional for those of you who have taken genetics before. So enjoy that extra one and one half hours of sleep in the morning. Each week you're quizzed on three or four genetic diseases. This may seem like a pain, but they're actually very useful because they cover information that is likely to appear on step 1 (not that you need to worry about step 1 just yet). Plus, the quizzes are super easy since they aren't even graded!
Lauren Marks, marksla@wusm.wustl.edu
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Neural Sciences
Neural Sciences
My dear first-year, let me introduce you to a man named Rob. Does Rob have a last name? I don't know, but he does have a Roundup. Let me explain. Neural Sciences, known around here as Neuro Block, is your final class of first year, the only course in third block. For eight (?) glorious weeks, your brain should be focused on one subject only - your brain. I say "should," because, well, it's beautiful outside this time of year, summer's just around the corner, and you're already kind of patting yourself on the back for the heck of a job you've done during first year. Enter Rob, a legendary man and TA who once upon a time made the most beautiful outlines of any ol' course you ever did see and left them to your class as his legacy. You will dissect brains and nerves in lab, make yourself dizzy learning neurological tricks in small group, and meet incredible brain surgeons in lecture. But at the end of the day, you can really relax, enjoy the block, and know that Rob has your back as he helps turn a complicated topic into a dream of a course. Neuro block is many students' favorite part of their year. Thanks, Rob.
Hallie Morris, morrish@wusm.wustl.edu
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Practice of Medicine I (POM)
Practice of Medicine I (POM)
Course Master: Gregory Polites, MD (politesg@wusm.wustl.edu)
Blocks: 1-3
Teaching Style: Lecture, small-group discussions, practical sessions
Grading: Two standardized patient sessions, two multiple-choice exams
Passing: Good effort (65%)
Quick: What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "doctor"? Is it a fibroblast? The physics of blood vessel distension? Ribonucleotide reductase? Not so much? Me neither. I think of a stethoscope, and Practice of Medicine (POM, not to be confused with the pomegranate beverage) is where you will learn to use one. I'm actually a big fan of basic science, but I really do appreciate the chance to develop the practical and interpersonal skills I'll be using for the rest of my career. POM covers techniques for taking the patient history and physical exam, essential skills for patient interaction, medical ethics, scientific methods, and big-picture topics like health care financing and public health. Course master Dr. Greg Polites goes out of his way to make things simple and accessible; he also recruits amazing guest speakers and clinicians, and gives out Rams tickets. (Keep your eye on your email inbox; they go quickly.) POM includes lectures, small-group sessions, and field visits to hospitals, clinics, and patient homes. The workload is generally light and high-yield, and exams are non-threatening. Plus: plenty of excuses to rock your white coat and stethoscope like a true gunner.
Kevin Baumgartner, baumgartnerk@wusm.wustl.edu
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Textbooks
Textbooks
Most courses at Wash U come with course packs written by professors that contain a compilation of notes, PowerPoint slides, and assorted miscellanea. The course pack has all the information you need to know to do well in the class and understand the material, but if you, like me, prefer your information in a more complete form and like the company of thick books on Saturday nights, read on to get the inside scoop on textbooks. Good textbooks read like exquisite novels, bad ones like awkward wedding speeches. Here's a list of textbooks I've come to love and admire and, in the case of Moore and Netter, worship: 1. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy (a.k.a. "Big Moore"): a supremely comprehensive textbook on anatomy. The sheer volume of information can be bewildering at times, but if you are brave of heart and pure of spirit, you can winnow the relevant information from the minutiae quite easily. 2. Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy: No one draws it better than cigar-smoking, whisky-drinking badass Frank Netter. The one book I would pick to be with me on a deserted island. 3. Costanzo's Physiology: action-potential graphs made sexy, ion channels made tantalizing. If you are ambitious, check out Guyton's Medical Physiology. Other, marginally helpful, books: 1. Kierszenbaum's Histology and Cell Biology 2. Berg's Biochemistry 3. To bring into the Anatomy lab: Color Atlas of Anatomy: A Photographic Study of the Human Body (Rohen, et. al. ).
Tirth Patel, patelti@wusm.wustl.edu
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The True Meaning of Pass/Fail
The True Meaning of Pass/Fail 
I am going to rely on an old philosophical question to explain this one. No, not the chicken/egg one. This one is more arboreal, if you will. And so it goes ... "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" If a Wash U med student is in a class but it has no grades, what happens? First, I would like to note that there are a variety of species of trees: evergreens, live oaks, elm, mesquite, etc. Students who enroll at Wash U respond to the first year being pass/fail in many ways. Some study a lot, some don't. Some attend class, some watch the lectures online. Some do both, some do neither. Pass/fail, to me, is like a fertilizer and weed-remover that allows each of us seedlings to sprout into the physicians we will become one day. A career in medicine is a long journey, and pass/fail allows you to take that first step without stress or danger. Some students are still tentative and clutch to their textbooks and practice exams, but if you learn one equation in first year it's that P = MD.
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Second Year
Second Year
I was relieving myself at a urinal the other day reflecting on my kidneys. But unlike my micturitions during first year, I was no longer just thinking about tubules and transporters and ureters. No. Now, I was thinking about more; I was thinking about blood and pus and stones and all the other things that I was happy to not have streaming out of me. And in essence, that is second year. Not the blood-free urination, but the more. Second year is more of everything: more work, more interesting, more hospital time, more expectations of knowledge. And definitely more intense post-exam parties. One of the biggest changes between first and second year is the introduction of the honors/high pass/pass/fail system, instead of just pass/fail. However, the new system is not curved, so theoretically (and in some cases, practically) everyone can get honors in a class. And that leads to one notable "more" that is lacking: There is no more competition. Second-years still use WumsWeb and still send out class-wide emails with study guides, and the people who understand things still take time to explain them to me. And outside of studying, things become "more," too. Second years run most of the student groups and have reputations to uphold in intramural sports and can finally understand some of what is going on when shadowing. We also enjoy our weekends more, too. Logistically, second year is broken up into six blocks of varying length (between four to eight weeks) that cover the pathophysiology and pathology of each of the major organ systems. The Practice of Medicine course continues during second year and really hones your physical exam skills and teaches you what you will be doing in the hospital (differential diagnoses, presentations to attendings, writing prescriptions, reading imaging studies).
David Rubins, rubinsd@wusm.wustl.edu
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Third Year
Third Year
In no particular order, third year consists of:
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12 weeks of internal medicine (one four-week outpatient, two four-week inpatient)
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12 weeks of surgery (four weeks general surgery, four weeks musculoskeletal, four weeks elective)
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Four weeks of neurology + four weeks of psychiatry + four weeks wildcard (e.g., radiology, emergency med, pathology, etc.)
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Six weeks of pediatrics (two weeks inpatient, two weeks outpatient, two weeks elective) + six weeks of OB-GYN (two weeks labor and delivery, two weeks gyn surgery, two weeks elective)
Lecture is a few hours per week; shelf exams are at the end of every clerkship (except wildcard), and every day you show up in that sparingly used-until-now white coat (or scrubs, depending on rotation). Though all this may seem intimidating, it's the last chance to experience this variety before specializing in residency. For most people, third year is the most loaded year of medical school, but also the most rewarding; diseases you read about in the preclinical years become the patients you see on the wards. It's your first exposure to the real world (patients, hospital work-life, learning on the job) - so I liken third year to learning about life more than anything. And after spending much of your life sitting in class, you have a lot to look forward to this year!
Vivek Verma, vermavi@wusm.wustl.edu
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Fourth Year
Fourth Year
Of all the years in medical school, the fourth year has the most variety. At times you will be incredibly busy, but you also have plenty of down time. The entire year is made up of electives; so you finally get to choose what you want to do; however, at the same time, you start the residency application process. The electives you can choose from include clinical rotations, research projects, or reading blocks. Many people choose to do a subinternship or an away rotation early in their fourth year in their desired specialty. Compared to third year, you have fewer clinical rotations, but you will need the extra time for scheduling interviews. Overall, you have a larger responsibility in the hospital compared to third year, but you feel more confident in your abilities. Also this is the year where you start the residency application process. Talk to your advisors early in the year, but also realize that it is a long process. Most people try to get in their application in September, and November through January is interview season. The second half of the year is much easier, and you will have plenty of time to unwind.
Pavan Bhat, bhatp@wusm.wustl.edu
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Extracurriculars
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American Medical Association
American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA chapter is part of the student section of the American Medical Association. Unlike most medical schools, Wash U will fund you to go to the AMA interim conference and annual conference (one of these is in Honolulu) for free. You aren't even required to write a fluffy resume-padding resolution or run for random positions. As a result, you're free to pursue what you want through the AMA, allowing yourself to focus on the serious topics that you actually have knowledge on as a medical student. If you have big ideas, want to see the process in play, play a role in these changing times of health care, and travel around the country to chill places (New Orleans, Chicago, Honolulu, etc.), consider joining the AMA.
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American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)
American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)
The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) is a national organization that focuses on the improvement of women's health and the advancement of women in medicine. Although the organization is focused on women, it is open to men and women (in fact, men are encouraged to join!). The AMWA chapter at Wash U sponsors several events during the academic year: two Awareness Weeks and a regional conference that include special speakers and panel lunch talks that address various issues in women's health and being a woman in medicine. One of this year's most popular lunch talks involved watching "Gray's Anatomy" followed by a discussion about the portrayal of women in the show led by a gender studies professor from the Wash U Danforth Campus. AMWA also has a faculty/medical student mentoring program that matches female medical students with female faculty. AMWA is open to anyone interested in women's health (which should be all of you; women are half the world)!
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Ballroom Dance Club
Ballroom Dance Club
Ballroom Dance Club is every Thursday night 5:30-7 pm. About every month we learn a new style, from Argentine tango to salsa to waltz. All experience levels are welcome, and it's a great way to do something non-medical school related. Everyone rotates partners, and it is really fun learning new types of dances. If you love to dance, come join us! If you have two left feet, get out of your comfort zone and try something new! By the end of first year, you may be transformed into a ballroom extraordinaire ready to be on "Dancing with the Stars"!
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Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)
Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)
HPREP seeks to increase interest in health professions among middle and high school students living in underserved areas of St. Louis. HPREP volunteers travel to schools to present demos, models, medical instruments, and actual organs to teach basic lung and heart anatomy, promote healthy living, and get students excited about science and health-related fields. HPREP also hosts a field trip at the end of the year, where students visit the med school and get a chance to shadow. The program is an amazing way to get involved in the community and make a difference, especially since many of the schools have little in the way of resources, and the students are all eager to learn. Furthermore, HPREP is a great way to remain or get active in teaching, and as an added bonus, it helps you stay sharp on the anatomy you just learned.
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Medical Interest Groups
Medical Interest Groups
When I first came into medical school, I had no idea what specialty I absolutely would go into. (Most students change their minds several times throughout medical school.) Therefore, at the student activities fair, I signed up for every medical interest group represented, along with many of my classmates. The interest groups send out emails about great opportunities, like lunch talks (free food!) with physicians in the particular field, shadowing opportunities, conference opportunities, "speed-dating" with researchers in the field, and many other cool ways to learn about different specialties in medicine. Many interest groups offer skill workshops as well, ranging from laparoscopy to ultrasound. Some interest groups that come to mind: oncology, urology, ob-gyn, family medicine, neurology, public health, surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, pediatrics, and I'm sure many more. If you don't find what you're looking for, you can always form a new interest group with interested classmates!
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Medical School Musical
Medical School Musical
If you closely look at the curriculum at any medical school, you'll be hard-pressed to find any of the arts. Maybe they have some humanities courses, but they most likely relate to medicine. Washington University School of Medicine's student-run, student-directed, student-casted musical is the solution to this dilemma. Wash U is lucky to be one of the few medical schools (if not the sole one) to put on a full-fledged musical. This includes singing, acting, dancing, instruments, costumes, set design, lighting, and even attending (yes, audience members are an integral part). We know you are all creative, talented individuals who are interested in many more things than just those that are scientific or medically relevant. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this year's musical. Though I never acted in undergrad, I did direct an all-male a cappella group and miss the excitement of being on stage. The energy, preparation, and camaraderie that come with putting on a production like this is amazing. We rehearse most Saturdays throughout the year to culminate in a must-see every April. If you don't have any musical, theatrical, or artistic skills, you are still more than welcome to audition, or at the very least applaud loudly.
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Medical Student Government (MSG)
Medical Student Government (MSG) 
Medical Student Government (MSG) provides students with the opportunity to improve both the social and professional medical experience of their classmates. Each class elects a president, a medical education representative, a graduate and professional council representative, a representative to national AAMC meetings, and four social chairs. Collectively these officers serve to address the concerns of their fellow classmates, to develop a class show, to provide opportunities to interact with other graduate schools, and to add a dose of fun into the daily lives of everyone. Although each of these positions is associated with a number of specific responsibilities, MSG also allows some liberty for developing your own ideas into new class events. Basically, if you enjoy planning events and working with administration to improve student life, then MSG may be right for you.
Greg Ebersole, ebersoleg@wusm.wustl.edu
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Medical Students For Choice (MSFC)
Medical Students For Choice (MSFC)
Being pro-choice in high school/college was something I just ... was, not something I talked about or did anything about. It's a touchy subject in most places and something you just don't mention in polite society without a lot of awkwardness. At Wash U, however, you're finally allowed to talk about it in a civilized and supportive environment. This is through Med Students For Choice (MSFC), an organization devoted to informing and supporting the pro-choice movement. We hold a number of events throughout the school year, including meal talks on contraception and values clarification and a forum on the state of abortion rights in Missouri. We also send students to the MSFC Annual Meeting every year, providing the chance to meet pro-choice students from other med schools and learn about the various issues surrounding abortion rights and contraception. Volunteer escorting at two local clinics is also organized through MSFC, a very important (and interesting) service provided to women who are coming to Planned Parenthood and the Hope Clinic to obtain abortion services. If this is an issue you're passionate about, definitely get involved with MSFC.
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Saturday Neighborhood Health Clinic (SNHC)
Saturday Neighborhood Health Clinic (SNHC)
Saturday Neighborhood Health Clinic (SNHC) is the student-run free clinic of Wash U. Governed and managed by med students, SNHC is your first chance to truly begin practicing your history taking, physical exam, patient communication, and case-presentation skills with real patients. The clinic is open every Saturday (duh) morning, and sees about nine patients per session. You (the pre-clinical student) will get paired with a clinical student, and you'll work together to gather H&Ps on your patients, which you'll then present to the attending physician. More importantly, this is your chance to serve the St. Louis community, which (in case you didn't know) needs a lot of help. With more than 20 percent of the St. Louis City population being uninsured and more than 25 percent living below the poverty line, it's clinics like these that help the people who truly need it. If public health is an interest of yours, definitely sign up the SNHC selective (make it your top choice), as only selective members can volunteer before the spring of your first year. But if you don't make it in, fear not - you'll have all summer to volunteer as well (which is typically when they really need volunteers).
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Schnucks Screenings
Schnucks Screenings
The Schnucks Screening initiative is one of the Health Outreach Programs run by the Student National Medical Association, the Latino Medical Student Association, and the Public Health Interest Group. Each week, we volunteer at a different Schnucks grocery store, setting up stations to take blood pressures and blood glucose levels. Not only does this provide valuable practice for our clinical and communication skills, but we also provide individuals with valuable health information. In addition, volunteers at Schnucks Screenings direct interested individuals toward clinics, treatment programs, or any other health resource that they might need. We also follow up with phone calls to interested individuals, helping to ensure that they have been able to schedule and attend their appointments. If you are interested in becoming actively involved in the community, Schnucks Screenings are just one of the many opportunities provided to you by the student groups at Wash U.
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Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Yeah, I copied that sentence word for word from the SNMA national website, but who cares? It's true. I knew that SNMA was a program I needed to be involved with because the help I received from its members during my undergrad career was instrumental in me making it to this point. Networking is a major strength of the organization; as an incoming student I met several WUSM upperclassmen at the first general body meeting, and the numerous residents willing to speak with us about their experiences also provide an avenue for building contacts. A major misconception about SNMA is that it is only for minority students. Anyone is welcome (and encouraged!) to participate - a fact exemplified by the different programs SNMA is affiliated with here at Wash U: HPREP, the Schnucks Screenings, HOPS, as well as the Nutrition Program. And since SNMA is a national organization, its benefits stretch far past the city limits of St. Louis. Although I am not currently an official national member, I will be five minutes after writing this because membership is only a few clicks away! The cost is just $100 for four years of medical school, which is easily made back through scholarship opportunities and discounts to conferences/purchases from SNMA partners.
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Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (WMIG)
Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (WMIG)
The Wilderness Medicine Interest Group, or WMIG, is a group that focuses on, you guessed it, wilderness medicine. Wash U has no shortage of students who have extensive experience climbing, hiking, canoeing, and camping, and this group does a great job of integrating those interests with medicine. Because WMIG receives a generous budget from the Emergency Department, it is able to subsidize several fun events every year. Some of the activities it's hosted and plans to host this year include:
- An orientation camping trip in the nearby Meramec State Park
- Guest speakers discussing topics such as scuba medicine and wilderness emergency medicine/triage
- Sending 12 people to Tennessee to participate in MedWAR (Medical Wilderness Adventure Race) to compete against schools from across the country in a daylong series of physical and medical challenges
- Sending a group to the national Wilderness Medicine conference.
The group owns some of its own equipment and is able to rent others at very low cost from The Outing Club, an undergrad organization that owns lots of camping paraphernalia, so it's cheap and easy to break into the outdoorsy scene and meet new, fun people in all class years.
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Young Scientist Program (YSP)
Young Scientist Program (YSP)
Young Scientist Program (YSP) is a unique program that has a couple of components. In essence, it is a partnership with the local school district and science center working to inspire high school students to become scientists. The program is a major partnership between the graduate schools and medical school. Medical and MD/PhD students have been heavily involved (founding the program, for instance). Among the many things that you can do: 1) Teach Anatomy at the science center. 2) Work with local teachers to create science curriculums. 3) Mentor high school students during the year and during the summer, 4) Run a science fair, plus much more. YSP is the all-in-one community service opportunity where you can share all of that science you're learning.
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Technology
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Computer, Internet, and Printer Access
Computer, Internet, and Printer Access
The availability of technological resources at Wash U is fairly similar to most undergrad campuses. Free and quick WiFi is readily accessible anywhere in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (FLTC) and hospital, and the classrooms and lecture halls all have many outlets and ethernet ports. In addition, there are several areas where computers with Internet access can be accessed using your WUSM login, including the study carrels and library. The library also has scanners and a few Macs, but the majority of computers are PCs. Printing can be done in the library or study carrels, but is not free. (You can, however, get free printing at the public library down the street.)
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Medportal
Medportal
Medportal is used to communicate almost all academic information to students. It has your schedule for the day (and for the rest of the semester), notes and handouts for your classes, IT help files, and access to the lecture recordings. It does a great job of integrating almost all of the official resources provided by course masters in one place. There are some courses that don't use the Medportal system (Molecular Foundations of Medicine), but this doesn't end up being too much of an inconvenience. You will quickly get into the habit of checking Medportal every day to figure out what your schedule is going to be like. A very nice feature of Medportal is that it is possible to sync the calendar on Medportal with your personal calendar on iCal or Google Calendar so you can get your schedule on your smartphone.
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Wash U E-mail
Wash U E-mail
Most people nowadays are used to the email experience provided by Gmail - having so much space that emails are never deleted, emails grouped in conversations, etc. If you are one of these people, you may find yourself sorely disappointed with your Wash U email, at least at first. However, things are not as bad as they seem, and the Microsoft Exchange-based email system you will find here is basically what you will find in any situation where securely transmitting private information is important. You will be provided with one Gb of storage and a professional-looking email address ending in @wusm.wustl.edu. Checking your email on your smartphone (if it's not a Blackberry) is a trivial affair, as is setting it up using Mac Mail or Outlook. You will want to look into setting these up. The web interface for checking your mail is horrendous and inconvenient in comparison. You may figure out a clever way to get your emails forwarded to a personal account, but, as the IT department will explain, this could land you in some serious legal trouble for violating federal patient privacy laws (HIPAA).
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WUMSWeb
WUMSWeb
WUMSWeb is our unofficial, completely student-run academic resource center. Every year students add new notes and other resources that will help you complete homework assignments and pass exams. There are materials on WUMSWeb from as far back as 2002, and you will almost never find yourself studying for an exam without first consulting WUMSWeb. If you can't find it in MedPortal, it is very likely that you can find it on WUMSWeb thanks to someone else in your class uploading it. It's no secret that homework, quiz, and exam questions are reused, so WUMSWeb is your ticket to a sort of sneak peak and helping hand for assessments, which is helpful if you are adjusting to med school academics. If you ask future years for advice on studying for exams, you should not be surprised to hear something like: "Well, have you looked at WUMSWeb?"
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Only at Wash U
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Big Sib/Little Sib
Big Sib/Little Sib 
Tune: "You belong with me," Taylor Swift
You were slightly older when I first saw you. I close my eyes, And the flashback starts: I'm standing there, At the park for the Big Sib/Little Sib picnic. See the swings, See the second- and first-years, I see you there, make my way through the crowd, And say hello, little did I know ... That you are Rob Klemisch, you are the coolest. And my daddy said make some friends in med school! And I was crying (not really) Begging you please don't go, and I said Robby K take me somewhere we can hang out. I'll be happy having a wise mentor. You'll be the big sib and I'll be the little sib. It's a love story. We are now best friends. So I sneak up to the fourth floor to see you. You ignore me 'cause you think it's funny; it isn't. So close your eyes ... In your mailbox there's a post-exam surprise. 'Cause you are Rob Klemisch, I'm only a first year And my daddy said make some friends in med school! And you were my first ... (friend) Some of this is true and some is hyperbole, and I said, Robby K take me somewhere we can hang out. This program destined us to be friends forever. You'll be the wise one, and I'll be the eager one. It's a love story. I'm so glad I met you.
Austin Wesevich, wesevicha@wusm.wustl.edu
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Diversity Retreat
Diversity Retreat 
When I heard the words "Diversity Retreat," I imagined a lot of things, most of which evoked memories of middle school. Somewhere between Friday's pool party and climbing through PVC pipe structures with my classmates on Saturday, I realized my assumptions were partially correct. However, Diversity Retreat is also a lot more than hot tubs and team-building exercises. It actually promotes some legit conversations on Friday evening, and Saturday's ropes course provides a fun way to get to know your classmates. Also key is the all-inclusive nature of the weekend, which lets you enjoy everything from dinner to the dance party to an open bar on Wash U's dime. And most importantly, basically everyone goes, which makes this one of the best opportunities of orientation to get to know your new classmates.
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Float Trip
Float Trip 
For some strange reason, a great deal of the float trip never imprinted on my memory, so much of this narrative has been interpolated from pictures and the collective memory of the roughly 100 first- and second-year students who attended the annual first-year float trip. I am told that this outrageously fun outing takes place every August on the majestic waters of the Arapaho River in GodKnowsWhere, Mo. If there is one thing you must do during your first year, it is this. What better way to get acquainted with your class than on a half-naked saunter over a few (dozen) Milwaukee's Best? You're guaranteed to make some great friends, fun memories, and most importantly have an absolute blast! A few essential DOs and DO NOTs: DO bring an unreasonable quantity of cheap beverages and expect about half of it to be consumed by people other than yourself; DO bring snacks in sealed, waterproof vessels; DO take time out for the occasional gravel bar shotgun checkpoint; definitely DO bring water shoes. DO NOT lose your wedding band (Max Rosen); DO NOT lose your glasses, especially if you are legally blind (Samba Binagi); DO NOT get sucker punched in the jugular by a toothless redneck and lose your glasses (... me).
Carl Bruce, brucec@wusm.wustl.edu
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Post-ExamParties and Other Class Social Events
Post-Exam Parties and Other Class Social Events 
"Wild! Best night of my life!" - The New York Times. "Two thumbs way up!" - Ebert & Roeper. "You get a party! You get a party! Everyone gets a party!" - Oprah. "Mind-blowing" - WUMS I student. "LOL" - Dean Dodson. "They let you be in charge of organizing events?" - Concerned father. "I wish I was invited to these parties ..." - Hugh Hefner. "Winning!" - Charlie Sheen.
These are just a few of the glowing reviews quoted about the post-exam parties that the Social Chairs have thrown. In order to ensure your sanity during med school, your loyal Social Chairs organize post-exam parties and other events to relieve your stress after grueling periods of studying. These activities are crucial to remaining functional students and human beings. We put so much careful thought into the events that we sometimes spend significantly more effort on the post-exam preparation than the actual exam preparation. When we socialize, we mean business. Thankfully, Wash U is incredibly supportive of all our social endeavors.
Joyce Ji, jij@wusm.wustl.edu
Han Li, lih@wusm.wustl.edu
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Summer Research Before First Year
Summer Research Before First Year
You are sitting at home wondering what to do with your summer before starting school. Your options are to stay wherever you are and hang out with your friends for one last 10 weeks of glory, to go travel, or to start serious life - a.k.a. med school. You're worried about burning out too early and about not knowing anyone in a new city. Little did you know that summer research at Wash U is 40 hours of work, 50 hours of sleep, and 78 hours of hilarity. Spending my summer in St Louis was a pleasant surprise. First of all, finding a PI is easy. Email Dean Koong-Nah Chung and she will guide you toward a project. Plus once the clock hits 5, you get the opportunity to become extremely close with a group of classmates. Doing shots at the Annex, passing out in your buddy's shower, and teaching the guy who spent WAY too much time in the lab how to talk to females are just some of the hobbies you will pick up. By the time school starts, you will have made at least 50 new friends, be fully transitioned to the St Louis area, and have a bunch of great experiences to share with your new classmates.
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Washington University Medical Plunge (WUMP)
Washington University Medical Plunge (WUMP) 
When I told my little brothers (read middle school) that I had to leave home early for a pre-orientation program called WUMP ("wuhmp"), they could not stop laughing and teasing me about wump-ing and various other verb conjugations of this pre-teenage humor. What my brothers didn't realize is how amazing of an experience this program was. Washington University Medical Plunge (affectionately named WUMP - because Wash U loves acronyms, and many of us haven't grown out of our teenage sense of humor) can be summarized in three key terms: public health, parties, and playmakers. The main focus of this program (one of the clinical selectives available to you) is public health. This breaks down into lectures during the morning from various health experts and site visits at a variety of organizations in the afternoons, including the county jail for a glimpse into the health care available for the imprisoned. Parties, well that's self-explanatory: WUMP ends at 5 pm, but your classmates are very available for a good time. Playmakers, though? Well, let's just say the Sexoscopes were full of playmakers, and that's why we took home the volleyball championship to cap off the week.
Austin Wesevich, wesevicha@wusm.wustl.edu
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Medical School Facilities
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Becker Medical Library
Becker Medical Library
P.S.: I have a cool picture of the library ceiling on FB. Check it out.
The library: Possibly the place you spent the most time in in undergrad, staring at your notes for hours on end or writing 20-page PChem lab reports. Or possibly the place you avoided like the plague because it was actually more of a party than a quiet study area (one love, Pitt's Club Hillman). Either way, Wash U's library has the possibility of becoming your new favorite study place, or late-night caffeine provider. Open until midnight Sunday-Thursday, the library has lots of tables, computers, books (which are surprisingly hard to find), and a pretty glass ceiling to stare at. In the basement, there's a 50-cent coffee machine (for after Room 100 closes) and an old couch for napping. Tip: you can buy headphones for $1 at the front desk in case you forgot yours at home and need to have your iPod on to actually focus on Histology. The library also contains the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences/Medical Scientist Training Program office on the fifth floor and King Center on the seventh floor, where many med school events are held. You are forewarned, however: The building is always freezing. Bring a coat or hoodie.
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Danforth Campus
Danforth Campus 
The Danforth Campus is on the other side of Forest Park. As a medical student, you actually have more reasons to go there than you would think. The med school has a gym, and it's great, but the Danforth Campus gym is a little more decked out, with a pool, squash courts, you name it. And we have access to it! There are also these amazing study rooms in the Olin Library that are for graduate students only. All the undergrads kinda drool over these rooms. And yeah, we have access to those as well. And if you have a parking permit for the medical school, it counts as a "Yellow" parking pass on the Danforth Campus. (It'll make sense later.) There are opportunities to get involved on the Danforth Campus as well. Intramural sports bring together people from the med school, law school, undergrad, etc. We play at the Danforth Campus, and it's a great time. You can actually get involved in undergrad groups/activities as well. You have to put yourself out here and ask, but since you're still a Wash U student, groups are pretty open. Plus, all the undergrads are amazed that you still do things as a med student, so you get extra coolness-factor points.
Amber Lin, linam@wusm.wustl.edu
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Hospital Conferences and Grand Rounds
Hospital Conferences and Grand Rounds
 Med school is too easy. So, to unwind after a long day of correcting professors and teaching basic concepts like the Frank-Starling Law to my peers, I like to take a quick jaunt over to the hospital for grand rounds. After all, someone has to correct errant residents who can't tell the difference between the sella turcica and a benign pituitary adenoma. Is orthopedics too easy for you? Me too. That's why I went directly to the neurosurgery case presentations. One time, I diagnosed a patient I had never seen with sarcoidosis from an MRI presented at the neurosurgery case conference. With a little practice, that could be you one day (ok, maybe not quite, but you might get close). Someone has to pick up the slack in our ailing medical care system, and if you are interested in a competitive residency, then that someone is you. If this is the first time you are hearing about this, it may be too late. You should consider something that is "more your level," like dentistry.
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Room 100
Room 100
What is Room 100? It's the smell of free coffee in the early morning. It's a dish of candy waiting for you after class. It's the smell of free coffee in the mid-morning. It's a crowd of black-suited applicants waiting for cool med students to chat with. It's the smell of free coffee at lunchtime. It's the convenience of one-stop shopping for medical equipment and float trip tickets. It's the smell of free coffee in the afternoon. It's a casual conversation with one of our many bow-tied deans. It's the smell of one more cup of free coffee at 3:58 pm, right before they close for the day. It's the place where dreams come true. Oh, and I suppose I should mention that they have tea, too.
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Study Carrels
Study Carrels
The third floor of the FLTC is given to the first year students. We make our mark by doodling abundantly all over the white boards scattered throughout the carrels, as well as in the floor-to-ceiling ones in the classrooms. When people aren't studying, those classrooms come in handy as impromptu movie theaters.
There's a kitchen with sink, refrigerator and microwaves, and classmates bring in water boilers, coffeemakers, rice cookers, and our sustainability plates and sporks. A room with floor-to-ceiling windows and cozy seats is a great place for lunch and naps, even for sleep during exam week. For safety, our IDs are required to enter the carrels at night and on weekends.
There are our mailboxes, communal computers, and printers (not free), tall lockers ($5 per year), and our personal desks with ample storage space. Don't let your desk assignment stop you from temporarily moving to study with your friends, when you're gunning late at night and eating free pizza and salad from the applicant pizza party. Come exam week, when more people study in the carrels, headphones/earplugs are a must! Overall, if you're the type of person who likes studying with people, the carrels are a great place.
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