Washington University in St. Louis

Students at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis can tailor their medical education to suit their interests in a variety of ways. Students can take electives as early as their first year, get involved in research projects, and earn an additional master’s degree with a fifth year of study. First year students will either pass or fail a class, but will not be assigned grades. For the remaining three years, M.D. students are graded on an honors/high pass/pass/fail scale.

Outside of the classroom, students can get hands-on experience in affiliated hospitals, including the highly ranked St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Students can partake in summer or yearlong research opportunities, though it is not a requirement. About three-quarters of students find time outside of class to participate in various organizations, from the Ballroom Dance Club to the Wilderness Medicine Interest Group. Each March, students can unwind at MedBall, a formal dinner and dance.

Students can live in a dormitory, Olin Residence Hall, on the school’s campus in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, Mo. All full-time students can get around St. Louis for free on the city’s public transportation systems, MetroLink and MetroBus.