Saint Louis University Paves a Pathway from High School to Medical School
Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine has built a structured pathway from high school to medical careers through a long-standing partnership with a St. Louis magnet high school, providing students early exposure to clinical and research environments.
The School of Medicine at Saint Louis University — a private Jesuit institution in St. Louis, Missouri — has collaborated with Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience for over a decade. An internship program offers Collegiate high school seniors immersive, hands-on experience in clinical and research settings.
“The students from Collegiate stand out for their impeccable preparation,” said Dr. Tim Murrell, program director for pathway development, student engagement and retention at SLU’s School of Medicine. “They undergo rigorous mock interviews and professional skills training, ensuring they are well-equipped for the demands of the internship.”
From January through April, the students intern at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital every Tuesday and Thursday, rotating through various departments, including surgery, internal medicine and basic sciences, at SLU’s Doisy Research Center. These experiences provide early exposure to the medical field, helping students envision and pursue careers in health care.
The program’s impact is already evident. Many alumni of the program have pursued health care professions, with several currently enrolled at SLU’s School of Medicine and others serving as neurology residents, nurses and researchers. The program exemplifies the powerful pathway SLU has built between high school and professional medical education.
From Interns to Medical Students
Abdul-Haq Alli, a first-year medical student at SLU’s School of Medicine, credits his Collegiate internship as pivotal in his journey toward a career in medicine. From assisting at the nurses’ station to exploring specialties, he vividly remembers the experiences that left a lasting impact. He aspires to be a neurosurgeon
“Shadowing spine surgery and joining the ophthalmology team gave me hands-on insight and a real sense of belonging,” Alli said. “The interns’ camaraderie and the supportive environment made success feel possible.”
“The SLU and Collegiate partnership gave me early exposure, mentors and real responsibility,” Alli said. “It turned medicine from an abstract idea into something I could see myself doing. It did not just inspire me to become a physician. It helped me believe I could be one.”