<p>HI, I am currently a senior in high school where I have participated in rigorous courses including the International Baccalaureate Program. I have a good list of extracurricular activities combined with extensive service work. I applied to many schools and weight listed at many as well including Wash U. Because of this I am deciding between The College of St. Benedict, The University of Iowa and Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University, on paper, is my first choice. I was born in St. Louis and love the area and I was also given a great financial aid package. However, I have a friend whose sister attended SLU and dropped out after her sophomore year. Furthermore, I have been advised by a friend still living in St. Louis to not go to SLU. She said that she has many friends there and they all hate it. She told me that whatever I do I should NOT go to SLU. More than anything else I do not want to go to a school that I will end of hating. I am shy and majorly sensitive, I am worried about not fitting in and just being massively unhappy. I want to make the right decision and am petrified of making the wrong one. If anyone could please please please give an entirely honest and objective opinion on SLU that would give me a better concept the real SLU I would appreciate it soooo much. I am visiting officially in two weeks but I am not sure if that will make me feel better. Please Help! Thank You! --Scared Straight High School Senior</p>
<p>I am unfamiliar with St Benedict, but I can tell you that Iowa and SLU are two completely different schools. If a school is not “right” for someone, they won’t like it, which could be the case for whatever friends you have. </p>
<p>SLU is an urban school with a great campus feel that other urban schools don’t have. It’s right in the middle of midtown St Louis. Some people don’t like this. Some people love it. When I was in school, I remember there were always a few people that hated it and transferred to Mizzou or some other completely different school. If you’re looking for a Big 10/Big 12 kind of school, SLU is not it. We don’t have huge house parties since there aren’t really houses anywhere near campus. We have no football team. We don’t have a “party” school reputation. Our campus is much smaller. People who come here expecting it to be something it’s not, I think, and those people tend to leave and find what they’re really looking for.</p>
<p>My point is, you should figure out what you want in a school, and decide from there, since your choices cover a wide spectrum.</p>
<p>A few things I loved about SLU to give you some perspective: I love living in the city. There’s so many things to explore here. I was able to get more “real world” experience because I was able to job shadow/intern while in school instead of just over the summers. I really liked the size of the school–not too big but not too small. The professors and staff here are amazing. I got to know most of my professors, and the people I worked with on campus were like my second family. There’s also so many opportunities for service and involvement on campus. I enjoyed my social life here because there were things to do outside of getting drunk all the time, but if I wanted to have a crazy weekend, there were always parties going on in the apartments near campus.</p>