Hey everyone!

I’m preparing my application for the Meridian Scholars Program at SIUE and had a few specific questions about how competitive the process is and what the selection committee prioritizes.

1. SAT vs. GPA Weight: I currently have a 1500+ SAT and a strong GPA (meets/exceeds the 3.5 requirement). Does a 1500+ put me in a really high tier for Meridian, or is a 1500+ pretty standard among most people applying for the scholarship? How heavily are test scores weighed relative to high school GPA?
2. Extracurriculars & Activities: How strictly do they evaluate your activities/resume list? Are they looking for leadership depth and long-term commitment, or do they value a wide range of civic involvement and unique side projects?
3. Essay Importance & Writing Style: How much emphasis is placed on the writing/essays compared to test scores and stats?
4. Essay Topic Focus: For those who were awarded or interviewed for Meridian, what is typically rewarded more in the essays? Should I anchor my essay more around community service/leadership impact (e.g., civic involvement, community helper themes) or intellectual curiosity/academic depth (e.g., research, unique academic projects, problem-solving)?

Any insights from current Meridian Scholars or anyone who has gone through the interview process would be hugely appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hi I’ve been wanting to get more practice taking photos and videos of cars, and wanted to ask if anyone would let me practice shooting their car? I am quite new to the hobby but would be grateful if anyone would let me try :)

I recently appealed a $20 parking citation because I had entered my correct license plate number when paying for parking, but Parking Services apparently checked the wrong plate number to see if I paid since they don't know how motorcycle license plates in Illinois work.

The issue was that Illinois motorcycle license plates don't physically display the full registration number, which includes a motorcycle-specific prefix. I used the full, correct number shown on the registration that you must include when indicating your plate number in all online systems when paying, but the citation was issued using only the characters displayed on the plate.

I paid the $5 appeal fee, and my appeal was approved the following day. However, I haven't received a refund or credit for the $5 fee. The parking appeals page doesn't seem to indicate if I'll get that $5 back or not.

For anyone who's successfully appealed a parking citation at SIUE, was your $5 appeal fee refunded, applied as a credit, or kept by the university even though your appeal was approved?

Unfortunately, it looks like I will be retaking Calc 1 in the spring. If you had to choose between Amanda Davis or Song Chew who would you pick for the instructor?

I’m new to SIUE and I’m looking for something to do on Halloween. Preferably something with alcohol…

Any info bars that have events or parties is appreciated 🙏

I ride a onewheel and see other ow's parked at the muc often. If you are one of these people I'd like to chat maybe make a club out of it.

Hi guys,
I am planning to transfer to SIUE this spring. How many of you are planning to transfer to SIUE? How do you think about the Nursing program? Lets get connectes

Hey everyone, I’m currently locked in my dorm room and terrified. I really need advice on how to handle SIUE Housing administration tomorrow morning.

Tonight, a new roommate was moved into my space due to an emergency. Within hours of moving in, she dropped some incredibly alarming confessions. She told me she has a history of aggression and violence toward animals (specifically throwing a kitten in anger because a past roommate wouldn’t remove it). I have TWO university-approved Emotional Support Animal (ESA) cats living in my room right now.

She also told me she lacks empathy, is intensely fixated on serial killers, has a history of manipulating people, and that her last roommate in Cougar Village tried to get an Order of Protection against her for theft and intimidation. She is already trying to mind-game me and blame me for the "crazy shit" she's saying because I told her she could be herself.
Here is the kicker: This is the SECOND time my Community Director has placed a roommate with a known history of violence/animal aggression into my space. My last roommate actively endangered my cats and mixed dangerous chemicals, and the Associate Director of Residence Life refused to move me because there "wasn't physical violence yet."

I have already emailed the director of ACCESS, the Dean of Students, and my professors tonight. I am locked in my room with my cats and my door is bolted.

Has anyone successfully bypassed Housing or forced the Dean of Students to actually advocate for them instead of just sending them back to Housing? I feel completely failed by SIUE Housing and I’m genuinely considering transferring or dropping out if they try to force me to stay in this room. What are my options?

I am a current resident at the Enclave apartments.

I had a family member send me a package through Fedex. Fedex tracking shows the package was left in the mail room on Friday 9/25/26 around 5 PM.

As of 9/29/26 I have not received the package yet. I have checked the mail room, outside of my apartment, and outside the main building multiple times.

I am currently in contact with Fedex and have stated that I have not received the package. I have a support ticket open with them currently.

I could see cameras installed in the mail room. My intent was to check if Fedex delivered the package in the mail room around 5 PM on 9/25/26 or not. If the camera recording indicates otherwise, Fedex is at fault.

I talked with a lady at the Enclave office on the phone number 630 216 8366. I was told the management does not have access to the cameras. The cited was reason was a recent change in management. Further, I was told that the mail room is a publicly accessible space, so it is not the Enclave apartment's responsibility if the package goes missing.

I am worried about what would happen if similar situations continue to occur in the future. My concern is that someone should be responsible enough to investigate this issue and get access to the cameras. It becomes easier to escalate the missing package issues towards the delivery company, if they occur, in the future.

Until I get a response that this issue is sorted, I will be having important packages delivered to other addresses. I do not want to take a chance of having a misplaced package and no one taking responsibility to track it down.

I wish to bring this issue to people higher up in the Atrium management. I hope other residents do not face similar issues.

Hi, im a resident in Cougar Village! I wanted to ask how exactly do I go about subleasing apartments, particularly off-campus housing? I am wanting to cancel my fall housing ASAP and move into a new apartment. Any help or advice is appreciated! Thank you!!

As I'm anxious thinking about what I'll miss about life at home when I move to Edwardsville this spring for school the number one thing that comes to mind is knowing if it will have the a similar biking culture I'm used to. I'm moving from a town of 130k to Edwardsville which only has 26k so I'm sure there's less people who ride and there will be smaller group rides but I'm curious if there's still a sizable enough crowd that I'll probably be able to find other sports bike riders around my age to ride with. I'm also curious what everyone can say about the local police presence and their attitude towards sports bikers?

With SIUE being one of the most accessible 4-year schools in Illinois I'm curious if it's more common for students not within the typical age range of starting college to come to SIUE?

I just got out of the military so I'm starting as a Freshman at 24 years old and I'm scared it'll be hard to fit in with others in my class who are only 18.

Please let me know if there are any groups on campus I am unaware of, I don't want to step on any toes. It's just me right now, I haven't found anyone interested yet, but I will be posting flyers on the kiosks on campus. Anyone interested please let me know. Or if you know someone that would be interested, please let them know.

Follow and share the Instagram please: @siueydsa

I will make a discord server once I have enough people interested

I need a staff member to admin and I need at least two other people to take up positions (treasurer, president, etc)

I miss getting breakfast at Boss Burger when I went to SIUE. I loved getting my omelets stuffed with everything and extra cheese, topped with tater tots. Then I'd wash it down with a large coffee. It was a great way to start the day.

hey there! i’m looking into my next steps for potential grad schools and siue seems to have a good program for school psychology. i’m just wondering if this is actually the case and what has been the experience in this program? i appreciate any info anyone has :)

I am not from the Illinois area but I need my locs retwisted. Any suggestions? I also need the service to include a hair wash.

Hello, I’m a 22F. I urgently need to move out of a Cougar Village apartment due to a toxic roommate situation. She is planning on running a for-profit nail salon out of the apartment. She has denied doing it for money over the phone. She has told me in person that she gets paid to do it. I don’t know how to prove that she is lying.

I have two ESA animals, which are two cats. Exposure to liquid monomer, regardless if it is odorless or not, is deadly cats. She has been cleaning the house with harsh chemicals without proper ventilation and becomes upset when I open the windows.

I am a very clean and tidy person and am quiet. I am willing to move in with literally anyone who can take cats at this point. If you have seen my other posts then you would know this has been going on for over a week.

The Community Coordinator has been trying to find a way to make it so my roommate can do her nails without harming my cats, but I don’t want them to be exposed to monomer period. I have had repeated conversations with my roommate about cleaning with the windows closed, and she told me that opening the windows makes the house not smell good anymore. The Community Coordinator said that my roommate was willing to compromise when she spoke to her, but I have spoken to her multiple times and know this isn’t true.

My roommate has told me that she is not okay with cats being in the house. I have done everything I can to keep the house cat-hair free (I lint roll the couches twice a day, brush my cats everyday, and spray pet dander spray to get rid of the allergens).

I am wanting to take this to the Housing Director due to my roommate lying to me over the phone and telling me different things in real life.

If anyone is willing, dont be afraid to reach out. You can also read my other posts to get more context. I told my roommate that monomer will kill my cats, and she said to me, “But are they dead?” “Are you going to pay me $100” “Are you going to pay for my housing somewhere else?” “How I make my money is none of your business.” In regards to me asking her why she couldn’t find another job on campus when there are options.

Anyone know who the white guy preaching at the Quad was? Was using hate speech and slurs about gay people etc.

Does anyone remember the horseback rider that crossed the quad on 9/11 or 12 of 2001? He was being followed by a campus or police officer. I was there, and there were a few other students around the quad. It was so weird and surreal. It was so long ago. I got the impression the officer was chasing him. I believe the rider was dressed in greenish clothes and was wearing something white on his head, maybe a white turban. At the time, I thought it may have been a sikh showing support for the US, and wasn't sure so I picked up my bag and booked it. I never saw anything in the news about it.

Hey everyone, I’m currently looking for a new place to live around Edwardsville. My current apartment situation isn’t really working out, so I’m trying to find another housing option.

I’m a student at SIUE and I’m looking for a room in a shared apartment/house or anyone who might need a roommate. My budget is around $350–$450/month, depending on the place and what’s included.

I take the bus to SIUE, so ideally I’d like somewhere with reasonable access to the bus system or a route that makes getting to campus relatively easy.

I also found a 3-bedroom place that I’m considering, so if there are 2 other people looking for housing and interested in splitting a place together, that’s another option.

I’m pretty flexible and open to different living situations. If anyone has a room available, is looking for a roommate, or is interested in the 3-bedroom option, feel free to comment or DM me.

Thanks!

Hi, I’m a 22F. Full disclosure, I have two ESA animals that are cats. I am currently living in Cougar Village but urgently need a roommate change. My roommate has been mixing bleach and fabuloso and refuses to let me open the windows. She is also planning on running a nail business in the apartment, despite the fact that monomer is deadly to cats.

I am afraid of getting evicted when trying to get the RA involved because of there not being enough space for ESA owners. If anyone is in need, please reach out and let me know. I would love to talk!!

I woke up this morning in my Cougar Village apartment and couldn't find her. Me and my roommates have searched restlessly to no avail. I don't know how active this subreddit is but I want to find her in anyway I can. It's not even been a day but I'm already worried sick. She's my baby. I'm currently waiting on a response from housing to see about posters.

She has a collar with my phone number on it. If you manage to catch her (she's a friendly cat) call the number on her tag or contact campus police. If you see her at all, please reply to this post or ​again contact housing or campus police. I'm at a loss.

If I find her, I'll update the post.

Update: We found her!! Apparently she spend the whole twenty-four hours hiding in my roommates room and not making a sound. I bet she's hungry

Mainly looking to find Argentinians and Brazilians to connect with on campus