Applicant Information

All completed AMCAS and supplemental applications received by Nov. 30 are evaluated by the M.D./Ph.D. Program Admissions Committee for the quality and breadth of students’ undergraduate training, including their science/math GPA and MCAT scores. All applicants must have completed at least one year of bench-level research, during which they should have demonstrated their intellectual involvement by writing honors theses, abstracts for scientific meetings, and/or peer-reviewed publications. Three letters of recommendation are solicited from individuals identified by the applicants. These individuals are asked to provide a candid assessment of an applicant’s research aptitude, integrity, interpersonal skills, and commitment to completing dual-degree training.

The Admissions Committee invites selected applicants to SLU School of Medicine for on-site interviews at institutional expense, usually in groups of 4 – 6 students whose visits are scheduled January through February. These 3-day visits are designed to acquaint applicants with the intellectual and physical environment of the University, particularly the available research opportunities and potential mentors in their areas of interest. Applicants meet privately with current trainees and with at least three potential mentors of their choice, as well as with the Associate Dean of Admissions for their M.D. interview if not completed previously. In addition, applicants are required to make a brief presentation of their previous research experience(s) to the members of the Program Admissions Committee. These informal presentations may last up to 25 min, including time allowed for questions by the faculty, and must be made without audiovisual support except for the dry-erase board provided.

Interviewees are ranked by the Admissions Committee for their perceived competence and likelihood of individual success in the University’s training environment. Successful applicants are admitted with offers of full tuition remission plus annual stipends for the duration of their M.D./Ph.D. training, the continuation of which are contingent upon academic performance and progress toward Ph.D. research objectives. The Admissions Committee may also invite applicants to join the M.D./Ph.D. Program as non-funded trainees. Such non-funded trainees receive the same support provided to funded trainees in the M.D./Ph.D. Program. The University holds M.D. tuition costs for non-funded M.D./Ph.D. students to the level paid by their entering medical school class, to reduce the impact of inflation on completing M.D. training after finishing their Ph.D. degree. Members of the Year 1 and Year 2 M.D. classes who are in good academic standing and who meet the other requirements identified above may apply to the M.D./Ph.D. Program. Such applicants are rapidly screened and may be considered for acceptance at any time during the year.