Insight from a SLU alumna

Colleges and Universities A-Z Saint Louis University
1

<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>I just noticed SLU now has it's own section on this site, so I figured I'd go ahead and throw out some of the reasons I went to SLU, what I loved about it, places to compare it to, etc...especially since it doesn't look like there are a whole ton of people here answering questions! I absolutely love SLU and would be happy to answer any questions as well. </p>

<p>A little bit on my background: I'm originally from the Chicago suburbs, and knew I wanted to be a business major at a mid-sized private school, preferably Catholic. I originally visited St Louis to see Washington University, and figured I'd stop at SLU along the way. Interestingly enough, I visited WashU first, and hated it. It wasn't for me in a number of ways, and I almost just packed up and went straight home without visiting SLU. Thankfully, mom convinced me to stop by, and I ended up spending hours on campus, and completely fell in love with it. I'll get into the reasons later. Other schools I applied to include Illinois, Loyola Chicago, Marquette, DePaul, Boston College, Notre Dame (rejected), and WashU. (4.3 GPA, 7/250ish, 30 ACT, solid ECs). I think the best comparison of these is Marquette, but they are still very different.</p>

<p>My college visit was amazing...about as good as they get. As mentioned in many other threads, the people here are SO friendly. The girl that gave me my tour ended up talking with me for an extra hour, showed me some dorms that weren't on the offical tour, and took me to lunch in the cafeteria. The campus was gorgeous, and that really sold me. At this point, I realized I reaaaally wanted to go to school in the city, and SLU was perfect for that. At the same time, there was a definite campus feel that Marquette didn't quite have. It seemed to have a good mix of things to do--parties going on if I wanted to do that, but also plenty of non-alcohol related things going on as well. I also loved the church on campus (and ended up going to Student Mass almost every Sunday at 10PM). The business school was really beautiful and laid out well for student interaction. These were the main things I discovered through my visit.</p>

<p>There are so many things I loved about SLU during my 4 years, so I'll just try to sum them up: Huge variety of things to do on campus, my amazing work study job, plenty of service opportunities close to campus and beyond (men and women for others isn't just a catchphrase here), being within walking distance of groceries/walgreens/MetroLink, living in the city of St Louis--better city than most people realize, alumni connections (very strong network in StL, better than I expected), the ability to intern while still taking classes thanks to city location, financial aid being very accommodating, great professors (no TAs in the business school, either!), perfect size (not too small where you knew everyone, but not too big where you feel like a number) and the residential aspect (while there are commuters, this is not a commuter school, and SLU draws students from across the country, which I loved). </p>

<p>I ultimately chose SLU over Marquette because of the campus feel (more green grass, flowers, "quad" area, only 1 street goes through campus), but the decision was very close. I decided against Illinois because I felt like half my high school was staying in state, and I wanted to branch off on my own. Also didn't like the size. Loyola and DePaul have a commuter school feel to them, and it was too close to home. Decided Boston College was too far, and I wouldn't have the money to come home for the holidays. WashU has a very different feel, and while ranked higher, I never felt like they had any more access to internships/jobs than I did. I also found it quite snobby, but that's my personal view of it.</p>

<p>Funny enough, I now attend Notre Dame for graduate school, and miss SLU a ton. In hindsight, I'm glad I didn't get in for undergrad, and I've realized a higher ranking won't mean I'll enjoy it more.</p>

<p>That was really long, but feel free to ask questions. I also have personal pictures of the campus if interested.</p>

2

<p>My daughter was invited for a paid fly in to wash u and loved it. she did not get a chance to look at SLU as all activities that weekend - including trips to and from the airport were coordinated by WAsh U. When she was there, the Wash U kids were a bit dismissive of SLU, said the kids were not very bright or interesting. It worried my daughter to hear these negative comments. However many kids from her school have gotten into SLU with scholarship and seem very happy to be attending. What did you find to be the relationship between SLU and WASh U students? My daughter is Catholic but likes the religious diversity at WAsh U - is religion one of the big divides between SLU and Wash U?</p>

3

<p>sigka – thanks for your post! My older D also decided between SLU and Marquette (as well as others), but chose the other way – she’s at Marquette. Younger D also has both these schools in her mix. We had a great visit to SLU this summer. They are both great schools – The medium size, the urban opportunities, and the caring of the faculty and staff that really shine through. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.
I do have one quick question for you – Did you live on-campus all four years?</p>

4

<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>I’m a current SLU student and I couldn’t agree more with everything SigKa had to say about SLU. It’s a wonderful place academically, socially, and professionally. Also, St. Louis is really underestimated as a city, but I find myself loving the place more and more.</p>

<p>To address what people are mentioning as the difference between WashU and SLU, I think it’s attitude. (I also visited STL to see WashU, then SLU as an afterthought, but look where I am!) While visiting WashU, I got the feeling that they thought I should feel priveledged to visit them, while at SLU they acted as if they were priveledged to have me there. Just different attitudes I suppose, but I was really attracted to the humility and kindness of everyone I met at SLU. The Jesuit attitude of “men and women for others” can be found everywhere on campus, even embraced by those who aren’t Catholic. In the students at SLU I saw the kind of person I wanted to grow up to be-- that’s why I chose SLU! :)</p>

<p>In the end, I’m a big believer of going to the place where you feel most comfortable and most encouraged to succeed. For me that’s SLU, for others it’s WashU, Loyola, UIllinois, or Marquette. If anyone has more questions about SLU, feel free to let me know!</p>

5

<p>“While visiting WashU, I got the feeling that they thought I should feel privileged to visit them, while at SLU they acted as if they were privileged to have me there.”</p>

<p>That’s exactly how I felt, too. In my experience, there isn’t much of a relationship between SLU and WashU students. I had friends whose parents worked at WashU, and not many had positive things to say about the students they interacted with.</p>

<p>I lived on campus for 3 years, and off for 1. First year in Walsh, Second year I was an RA, 3rd year I lived in Marchetti (on-campus apt), and 4th year in an off-campus apt building surrounding campus.</p>

6

<p>Sig, what building were you an RA in? Is Walsh a freshman dorm?</p>

<p>Hoping to live on an engineering floor, if there is one.</p>

<p>Son had originally thought SLU was a jock school, but gave it a chance this year at our school’s college fair. We have a great admissions counselor who really took the time with him and answered all his questions. </p>

<p>It has moved from a, won’t apply, to a top spot.</p>

<p>As parents, it is so wonderful to see a school that he wants to go to actually showing an interest in him. They sent him a DVD about Parks Engineering, and he is so excited that they have his chosen major, biomedical engineering. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your posts. We appreciate the firsthand knowledge.</p>

7

<p>are either of you Presidential Scholars? If so advice on for the interview weekend? how the interviews work and such?</p>

8

<p>I was an RA in Reinert. Walsh is a women’s dorm attached to Griesedieck (the tall 16 floor one) and is a freshman dorm. </p>

<p>I would not describe SLU as a jock school at all. When I was an RA they were just starting the academically/leadership themed freshman floors, there are several. I had a friend in Biomedical Engineering that is continuing her education at SLU because she enjoyed the research she did so much as an undergrad.</p>

<p>I interviewed for the Presidential Scholarship but did not receive one. It’s getting pretty darn competitive.</p>

<p>I also laugh because the interview weekend is usually the same weekend as Mardi Gras, which is heavily celebrated in St Louis. Second only to New Orleans.</p>

9

<p>Is the big 16 floor dorm a party dorm? Son is hoping to find a quieter option. He did not apply for the honors college, as he will be in a rigorous engineering program and didn’t want to get too far over his head. He may consider doing departmental honors, if such a thing exists. Hoping he can get in a living/learning community for other engineering majors, as that may help with the quiet factor. May have to deal with some craziness for one year then try to get into an apartment.</p>

10

<p>I would say that it tends to get louder in Gries than Reinert. This is probably because it is very centrally located, so it’s easy for everyone to meet up in Gries, have a few drinks, and go out to the apartments from there. I would say this is more of a trend than a rule. My freshman floor (in the Gries complex) was very quiet. I would also say it rarely gets too out of control in the dorms.</p>

<p>I think the dorms can actually be quieter than the apartments. The apartments (Village Apts, Grand Forest Apts) are where upperclassmen host parties. Hard to have a huge party in a dorm room. Marchetti Apts tend to be quieter too since it’s hard to have a party when you have to get people in past the security desk.</p>

11

Hello, I am a northerner who is a hard working student who does well in school. I like a lot of extra help especially in math and science. I am also involved in a lot of after school activities and sports. For college, I am majoring in nutrition and dietetics. I have some questions for anyone who has gone or goes to St. Louis, knows about it, or has been in the nutrition and dietetics program:

  1. Is it difficult to get to St. Louis U from CT? How do I get there?
  2. How is the food at SLU
  3. is the program for nutrition and dietetics cut throat,/ competative? Is the nature of the school competative and cut throat?
  4. How is the extra help/ teacher availability/ willingness to help?
  5. how is the athletics?
  6. What is the housing like?

Thank you so much!! I also applied to Texas Christian U, Dayton, U Pitt, James Madison U, U Delaware and UCONN. I need to make a decision in 28 days I need help!!! Thank you so much for whatever you can tell me