Preprofessional Health Studies advises and assists all Saint Louis University pre-health professions students regardless of college or school of enrollment.  Preprofessional Health Studies is a special program administered by the Office of the Provost.   The program is dedicated to the advising of students preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, veterinary sciences, pharmacy and chiropractic.  

Well defined programs of study are designed for preprofessional health students who aspire to enter professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. Saint Louis University's program is not rigid in the sense that every student's classes are the same. One important aspect of the program at SLU is the effort to tailor your work load to fit college admission test scores, high school science background and class rank. If your personal schedule is demanding, alternatives are provided.

Unique Features of the Saint Louis University Program

Saint Louis University is among a select few universities that maintain a full-time office devoted to the advising and counseling needs of the pre-health professions student.

The office is located in Verhaegen Hall room 314 in the heart of SLU's campus. Regular hours and full-time personnel are at students' service.

Saint Louis University students do not major in premedical studies. Each student selects an academic discipline best suited to personal needs and goals. There are many successful students who choose to study non-science disciplines such as philosophy, literature, or psychology. Successful Saint Louis University preprofessional health studies students have completed majors in many disciplines such as clinical laboratory science, psychology, modern and classical languages, English, philosophy, biomedical engineering, bioelectronics, and theological studies as well as the more traditional majors in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Non-science majors who take a minimum number of science courses to meet professional school requirements must do well in those courses to ensure adequate preparation and favorable consideration by admission committees. When you declare a major, you will be assigned an advisor in that department. The advisors in the Office of Preprofessional Health Studies will serve as secondary advisors for you throughout your years at Saint Louis University. The Office of Preprofessional Health Studies is always available as a resource center.

Students are encouraged to develop the scientific background necessary to succeed in professional school. Humanities and social sciences are equally important. Today, professional school admission committees look for well rounded applicants. Humanities courses are especially effective in the development of excellent communication skills which are essential in the practice of medicine.

Requirements for admission to graduate programs in the medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and other health professions vary among schools. Saint Louis University preprofessional health studies students are encouraged to choose early in their college career to which medical or professional health schools they want to apply. The Preprofessional Health Studies Office maintains a comprehensive file of information on professional schools throughout the United States. Students in the program are able to tailor their undergraduate studies to meet the requirements of their chosen schools.

Special Programs within Preprofessional Health Studies

• Early Consideration Program
• Medical Scholars Program