Aaron G., M1

From the pre-interview dinner to interview day to Second Look weekend, at no other school had I interacted with so many current medical students — and not just the obligatory M1’s, but M2’s, M4’s, and even one magical M3 in the midst of his Medicine rotation. For me, it was a testament to the fact that WashU students had: (1) free time, (2) a constant stream of free food, and (3) a genuine interest in applicants coming to their school to share (1) and (2). Now as an M1, I’ve realized these three points were downstream effects of something deeper: a structure that provides space for students to be more than Anki-smashing robots. Yes, WashU has great educators, incredible research, and offers diverse hospital opportunities, but these aren’t what make it unique. It’s the empathetic and deeply invested administration that pushes the class to build its own community starting from day one: an intentionally small class size, an extended orientation, support for dozens of student groups, frequent faculty and student mixers, and a curriculum that doesn’t incentivize competition because it knows every student will be excellent. Students here aren’t chained to grades or cutthroat tactics, and it frees time and energy to build relationships, pursue interests, mentor and be mentored, and explore enough of the city to realize living in St. Louis isn’t so bad. Or perhaps it’s the hospitable Midwestern spirit that permeates the air and seeps through the skin making everyone friendlier. Whatever the reason, WashU gives the space for students to be happy.

Maybe you’re looking for a good interview answer. Maybe you’ve been accepted and managed to convince the admissions committee that you want to live in St. Louis, even if you haven’t really convinced yourself. Maybe you’re sitting on multiple great acceptances and need an Excel sheet, two tables, and a figure with p-values before you can press the “Commit” button. Or maybe you’ve already made the leap and just want some external reassurance. Wherever you are in the process, I wish I could tell you that Washington University in St. Louis is objectively the best school for any future medical student; however, the frustrating, corny truth is that the “why” is different for everyone. Instead, I hope I’ve convinced you why WashU is the best place for me, and I sincerely hope it’ll be the best place for you too.