<p>The title basically says it all. I have absolutely loved everything I've seen of WashU, but the inconsistent rumors about cutthroat premeds make me a bit uneasy. Although I'm definitely not sure whether I wish to be a pre-med, I am most interested in the sciences (esp chem and physics) and was wondering if any current/previous students could truly answer whether the students are cutthroat. I know pre-med is difficult, I just want to know how the actual students are about it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Pre-med is difficult, but I haven’t found students to be cutthroat. If anything, I have been surprised by how much people help each other. I’m sure there are some people who have a different attitude, but for the most part everyone is willing to share information and explain things.</p>
<p>Typically, you can always find someone willing to help. </p>
<p>However, as your classes get more difficult and the curve more important, you will find less willingness from students to help you.</p>
<p>When its the curve deciding what med school these students go to its understandable that they would not be as willing to help. I don’t think you will find anything different anywhere you go though.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your replies, some people make it seem like the competitiveness is so intense that it’s not worth going to WashU for pre-med despite all of its strengths.</p>
<p>From what I’ve been told, a lot of people feel that one of the best qualities of Wash U is the lack of that cutthroat competitiveness in all majors, including pre-med, that you might find at an Ivy League type school. Most people I’ve met that go there agree that most people are laid back and willing to help, yet all are very smart, so you get all the benefits of a great school, but much less of the competitiveness (I’m sure some people at every school will try to be competitive and unwilling to help others, but not the majority).</p>
<p>It’s interesting that nobody here seems to think the pre-meds are cutthroat, which many others seem convinced of.</p>
<p>I teach pre-meds at a tier 1 research U and the competitiveness turns many students off. I could tell you stories! No idea about Wash U in this regard.</p>
<p>At least freshman year it seemed like there was nothing but collaboration and helpfulness (both on the part of the school and the other students).</p>
<p>I am going to major in Chemistry and I am definitely willing to work with others. I kind of think that not everyone is cut-throat but some people might be.</p>
<p>“cutthroat” is never a word I’d use to describe the pre-meds here.</p>
<p>Maybe a tad insane and neurotic, but not cutthroat.</p>
<p>Washington University is NOT cut-throat at all! I have never seen instances of sabotage or such. Actually, the WashU community is here to help, it has amazing resources and I’ve seen/ been a part of MANY study groups =). Nevertheless, the classes can be challenging at WashU, and grading on a curve certainly doesn’t help quell the sometimes neurotic behavior of premeds.</p>