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Medical Scholars Requirements

Whether you are interested in applying to Saint Louis University’s Medical Scholars Program or have already been accepted, learn more about the majors you can pursue, requirements year-by-year and other important considerations. 

Approved Majors for Medical Scholars

College of Arts and Sciences

Any major

Doisy College of Health Sciences
  • Exercise Science-Athletic Training
  • Health Sciences
  • Medical Sciences
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
School of Science and Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioelectronics track of Electrical Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Biology and Pharmacology
College for Public Health and Social Justice
  • Biostatistics
  • Health Management
  • Public Health

If you would like to choose a major outside of these options, your decision must be approved in writing by the director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.

Requirements Year-by-Year

Freshman Year
  • Attend a mandatory orientation at the beginning of the fall semester.
  • Maintain a minimum 3.65 cumulative GPA and a 3.65 math/science GPA (calculated at the end of each academic year).
  • Complete a minimum of 30 standard-letter grade credit hours each regular academic year, with at least 14 standard-letter grade credit hours each semester. Credit hours do not include courses taken pass/fail, summer school courses, credit by examination or dual and AP credit.
  • Complete General Biology I and II and General Chemistry I and II with labs.*
  • Requested exceptions to the above requirements may only be approved in writing by the Director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.
Sophomore Year
  • Maintain a minimum 3.65 cumulative GPA and a 3.65 math/science GPA (calculated at the end of each academic year).
  • Complete a minimum of 30 standard-letter grade credit hours each regular academic year, with at least 14 standard-letter grade credit hours each semester. Credit hours do not include courses taken pass/fail, summer school courses, credit by examination or dual and AP credit.
  • Participate in the Committee on Evaluations process in preparation for the medical school interview.
  • Complete the Medical Scholar Seminar during the fall semester.
  • Complete Organic Chemistry I and II with labs, and Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
  • Fulfill math and English requirements by the end of sophomore year (students are encouraged to satisfy these requirements during freshman year if possible).
  • Requested exceptions to the above requirements may only be approved in writing by the Director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.
Junior Year
  • Maintain a minimum 3.65 cumulative GPA and a 3.65 math/science GPA (calculated at the end of each academic year).
  • Complete a minimum of 28 standard-letter grade credit hours each regular academic year, with at least 14 standard-letter grade credit hours each semester. Credit hours do not include courses taken pass/fail, summer school courses, credit by examination or dual and AP credit.
  • Complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), applying exclusively to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
  • Complete Physics I and II with labs.*
  • Requested exceptions to the above requirements may only be approved in writing by the Director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.
  • Interview with SLU School of Medicine at the end of junior year.
Senior Year

  • Maintain a minimum 3.65 cumulative GPA and a 3.65 math/science GPA (calculated at the end of each academic year).
  • Complete a minimum of 28 standard-letter grade credit hours each regular academic year, with at least 14 standard-letter grade credit hours each semester. Credit hours do not include courses taken pass/fail, summer school courses, credit by examination or dual and AP credit.
  • Complete at least one upper-division science course (3000-level or above) each semester.
  • Requested exceptions to the above requirements may only be approved in writing by the Director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.

*Pre-medical course sequence may differ depending on a scholar’s major.

Additional Requirements

All math and science courses must be taken at Saint Louis University’s main campus. Organic chemistry and physics will be taken during the academic year unless approved by the director of the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies.

Medical Scholars are required to complete their core curriculum requirement in math by the end of sophomore year and must complete coursework through the Calculus I level. This requirement may be satisfied with AP credit, transfer earned prior to starting at SLU, or coursework completed at SLU. However, all Medical Scholars are required to take at least one math course at SLU by the end of the sophomore year (regardless of the AP, dual or transfer credit). The particular course will be specified by the primary advisers according to the student's academic credentials (e.g., MATH 1300, 1520, etc.).

Medical Scholars are also required to complete their core curriculum requirement in English (ENGL 1900) by the end of sophomore year. This course may be satisfied with AP credit or transfer credit, or it may be taken at SLU.

Advanced Placement and 1818 ACC/dual credit from high school may apply to some courses in this curriculum; however, 60 standard-letter grade semester hours must be completed in residence at Saint Louis University. AP credit and 1818 ACC/dual credit for biology, chemistry and physics are not accepted for Medical Scholars. These courses must be taken at Saint Louis University.