Why WashU

From Why WashU Wednesdays to Second Look Weekend, WashU Med students and faculty are among the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. The Gateway Curriculum even further supports student collaboration through its use of clinical spaces and classrooms. Just as important, the administration thoroughly integrates student input, from curriculum feedback to the oath for the White Coat Ceremony. I am honored to spend every day alongside these outstanding and wonderful people. While the people make WashU Med “WashU Med,” there is also an abundance of opportunities to get involved and make a difference: research, innovation, medical education, community engagement, health equity, student hobby groups — the list goes on.

These are just some of the things that makes WashU Med a great place to find your voice in medical school, in the medical profession, and in your own life. Everyone at WashU Med is here for unique and compelling reasons; I wish you the best of luck in constructing yours.

At first, I decided to apply to WashU Med because of its well-structured curriculum, research opportunities, and student funding. I was also drawn to the unique One Health Program, an interdisciplinary effort studying how human, animal, and environmental health interact with one another. Finally, I enjoyed the emphasis on the intersection of health, equity, and justice in medicine, which I believe is paramount to being an equitable physician. While I have found all these aspects to be true, I was especially surprised by the collaboration, support, and inspiration exuded by my fellow classmates, administration, and faculty. WashU Med truly wants their students to thrive and be the best physicians they can be. This is apparent within every class I attend and through the plethora of mentorship opportunities. Likewise, Barnes-Jewish Hospital also serves as the primary medical center for patients throughout the St. Louis community and surrounding area, which allows me to work closely with top-notch physicians and make a local impact — all while being a medical student.

Furthermore, I was initially nervous about moving from large cities to St. Louis. I spent most of my like in New York City and Ft. Lauderdale, so I was worried that I would miss the coast and the amenities of urban living. However, I have found that there are many local events, markets, restaurants, and hidden gems scattered around the city. There is also access to beautiful parks and open spaces around the school, which is relaxing after a long day of learning. Ultimately, I have come to see St. Louis as its own unique and charming city. I am happy to have become a part of this great community and to work with patients from the surrounding area.

As cheesy as it sounds, I fell in love with WashU during my time as an undergraduate student on the Danforth Campus. What drew me to the general WashU community was the celebration of identity. It felt like WashU cared about my expression of identity as much as I did. This is something that I paid particular attention to as I was making my medical school list, and sure enough, WashU Med ended up at the top. I’ve been so impressed with WashU Med since beginning my time here as a student. The expectations I had when applying here have been met and far exceeded.

I wanted to make sure the medical school I attended had a particular focus on community and support. I have found those values in fellow WashU Med students as well as many members of the faculty/administration. There have been many times where I have emailed faculty, administrators, or attendings, and I have received inviting responses from all the people I have emailed. This, to me, is a good example of the care and effort that members of the WashU Med community take for your personal and professional development.

Among students, I have found that our class encompasses people with a host of diverse life experiences and backgrounds. Although it has only been about three months at the time that I am writing this, I feel that I have already learned so much from my peers. This is one of the main reasons why I am so proud to call myself a WashU Med student. It makes me happy that I can represent such a beautiful group of peers, and I hope you recognize that you will undoubtedly also be among some really amazing people (you, of course, are included!). Relatedly, students at WashU Med are very passionate people. This gives way to a variety of student groups and opportunities to get involved in professional, personal, and community-oriented projects. There is a lot of flexibility for starting your organizations as well so be assured that you will be able to pursue all that you are passionate about.

The Gateway Curriculum is unique to WashU Med and drew me to this program. We are evaluated on our progress towards meeting competency requirements throughout each of the three phases, meaning that our grading is longitudinal and holistic. There is no internal ranking or tiered grading system, which fosters a sense of community and collaboration (as opposed to competition) among the class. Also, there is dedicated time to navigate clinical settings before clerkships in Phase Two through our clinical immersions: three unique three-week sessions throughout Phase One when we have the chance to leave the classroom and join a dedicated medical team in the hospital. I love that the structure of the curriculum focuses on learning, while also giving us time to explore different specialties, solidify our interests, and grow as professionals.