Saint Louis University School of Medicine

About Saint Louis University School of Medicine
The University of Medicine at Saint Louis has a long tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. The school was founded in 1836 and has the distinction to grant the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. Roughly 550 faculty members, 700 medical students, and 550 residents call SLU home today in 48 graduate medical education programs, including residencies, subspecialty residencies, and fellowships. The school is a leading research center in five key areas including cancer, infectious disease, hepatic disease, aging and brain disorders, heart/lung disease. The School of Medicine at Saint Louis University is proud to be part of Jesuit education’s 450-year heritage. SLU trains physicists and biomedical scientists to conduct medical research and provides local, global, and international health services.
- A concern for the value of human life.
- A dedication to dignity and respect in the provision of medical care to all patients.
- A devotion to social justice, particularly as regards inequities in access to and quality of health care.
- Modesty in recognition of the inherent limitations of medicine in the cure of disease.
- An understanding of all the factors affecting a person’s state of health or illness.
- A mature and well-balanced professional conduct deriving from relaxed relationships with members of the human family and one’s Creator.
- Become a learning organization, promoting continuous improvement in quality, fostering a professional culture of transparency and demonstrating our curative values.
- Attract and cultivate positive learners who advance the Quadruple Goal to become leaders.
- Advance scientific knowledge and practice of health and wellbeing endeavors.
- Encourage collaboration and service to the community and our professions.
- Become financially strong, and an excellent resource and investment steward.
- Become the chosen employer and healthcare provider for students, staff, learners, and patients at the national Academic Health Centre.
History
SLU opened its first medical school west of the Mississippi River in 1836. The first medical school building at the university was located at Tenth Street, on Washington Avenue. In 1903 SLU acquired the College of Medicine Marion-Sims-Beaumont, situated on Grand Boulevard and Caroline Avenue. The University opened the Firmin Desloge Hospital renamed as Saint Louis University Hospital in 1932. In 1972 the first heart transplant was carried out in the Midwest by SLU surgeons. In 1989, SLU created the Vaccine Development Centre. The center has played an important role in the creation of several vaccines to protect public health, including the FluMist nasal spray influenza vaccine, and smallpox vaccines and other possible biological weapons. SLUCare Physician Group was formed as the Saint Louis University Academic Medical Practice in 1995. The group of doctors included more than 500 health care providers in hospitals and medical offices across the St. Louis area. Plans for a $550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and outpatient care center with more than 800,000 square feet of space, 316 private rooms for patients, an expanded Level 1 trauma center and emergency department, larger intensive care units and expanded patient parking were made in 2016. The university keeps flourishing and innovating in the field of health care.
Mission
The Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s mission is to promote excellence through professional development, cooperation, and social justice in education, science, clinical care, and community engagement. The educational philosophy of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine promotes coordinated practices in fundamental and clinical research and the delivery of patient-centric, compassionate and culturally competent healthcare. Such diverse educational experiences, based on an understanding of the scientific method and an appreciation of personal commitment and service to others, prepare individuals for professions and leadership roles in medicine and medical sciences.
Values
The Saint Louis University School of Medicine, pursuing its mission, aims to impart the following values to its students:
Strategic Plans
Community Engagement
Community engagement refers to individuals or a group of individuals who come together with a common set of objectives and work together to achieve those common objectives. Commitment to the Community means a two-way process of shared learning and growth. Community service-learning offers leadership development opportunities as well as community learning. Service-learning provides an opportunity for the application and learning of materials or concepts in context, meaning that students often learn effectively and tend to apply what has been learned. Through the processes of mentoring, encouraging and involving students in meaningful debate about their work, the SLU SOM aims to support future physicians and graduates ‘ professional training to participate in service to their society as part of being an excellent health care professional, not just as something special you do. Community service and involvement at the SLU SOM includes various task force groups on education and health promotion. The Health Resource Center which is a student-run, a free clinic in North St Louis which has a collaboration with strategic partners and support providers operating in underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods in St Louis. And also community service within the SLU to enhance learning experiences. Medical students, staff, and faculty also participate through organized and personally driven initiatives in service and involvement with the community. These may include working with local schools, school and professional sports teams, non-profit organizations, and clinical volunteer services. That SLU SOM service program records both the total number of students and the total number of hours. Leadership efforts over the next five years include the implementation of systems that also record the results and effectiveness of the service and the commitment to commuting for the betterment of all.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine Admissions
The School of Medicine at Saint Louis University encourages applications from students who have achieved a high level of academic performance and who manifest qualities compatible with a career that serves society in their personal lives.
- Verified AMCAS application
- MCAT scores
- Supplemental application
- Letters of evaluation
- Photograph
- Application fee*(it is nonrefundable)
How to Apply
The University of Saint Louis is one of many medical schools that uses the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS lets you submit applications to several participating medical schools while providing only one set of approved academic transcripts. The AMCAS application becomes available every spring, and the submission deadline for materials is Dec. 15.
Specific Materials
Applicant information relevant to all medical schools is on the AMCAS form, but your applicant to SLU will only be accepted for consideration when all the following materials are submitted by the Admissions Committee:
The Admissions Committee cannot be held responsible for notifying applicants of insufficient application materials. Therefore, it is most important that you decide we are obtaining the qualifications needed. Email inquiries are welcomed. The deadline for receiving all the application materials is January 15. To order to provide information about your growth, supplementary transcripts showing your current grades must be sent to the committee at the end of each quarter or course. If they are not submitted, action on your application may be delayed.
Early Decision Program
When you apply only to the University of Saint Louis and would like to have an admission decision by Oct. 1, you can file under the Early Decision Program (EDP) via AMCAS. Under the EDP, all necessary qualifications must be submitted to AMCAS and a complete application to the School of Medicine by Aug. 1. Applicants who choose this path may not apply to any other medical school approved by the Medical Education Liaison Committee (LCME) before a decision on admission to the EDP. If you are admitted through this process by the Admissions Committee you must attend the School of Medicine at Saint Louis University and not apply elsewhere. If the committee does not approve of you as an early decision nominee, you will be considered a regular candidate after Oct. 1. The early decision system should only be followed by candidates with outstanding qualifications.
Tuition Deposit
Accepted First-Year Class applicants are required to make a $100 advance tuition payment. Payments are applied to the first semester fees and will not be refunded unless there is written notification of a plan change before April 30.
Letter of Recommendation
To support your application you must make the necessary arrangements for the committee to receive letters of assessment. If your current college or university has a committee of pre-medical or pre-professional recommendations, it must send us an assessment. If your school does not have a commission, ask three of your college or university professors for appraisal letters. Remember that an insightful and in-depth evaluation by someone who knows you is of greater value than just a recapitulation of your academic work, at least one of these individuals teaches science. In addition to the basic advice, letters from others who know you are also welcome.
Interview
Interviews with chosen candidates will be performed by invitation. Interviews with the Admissions Committee are imperative. As the interview schedule is busy, make every effort to attend the interview at the chosen date to avoid possible later exclusion due to scheduling issues.
Standards and Requirements
Specific academic requirements to join the School of Medicine at Saint Louis University include a total of 90 semester hours (135 quarter-hours) in undergraduate arts and science classes. Virtually all approved candidates from an accredited college or university complete a baccalaureate degree of at least 120 semester hours (180 quarter hours). In all cases, the quality of your education is more important to the Admissions Committee than to the number of hours or years of pre-medical training.
Course Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
General biology or zoology |
8 credit hours* |
General chemistry |
8 credit hours* |
Organic chemistry |
8 credit hours* |
Physics |
8 credit hours* |
English |
6 credit hours |
Other humanities and behavioral sciences |
12 credit hours |
Saint Louis University School of Medicine Departments
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care
- Family and Community Medicine
- Dermatology
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- General Internal Medicine
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hematology and Medical Oncology
- Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Immunology
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric Allergy-Immunology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Child Protection
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- General Academic Pediatrics
- Section of Adolescent Medicine
- Section of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Pediatric Infectious Disease
- Medical Genetics
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
- Toxicology
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Radiation Oncology
- Surgery
- Abdominal Transplant Surgery
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- General Surgery
- Neurological Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Urologic Surgery
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Clinical Departments and Divisions
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Comparative Medicine
- Clinical Trials Office
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Pathology
- Pharmacological and Physiological Science
- Bander Center for Medical Business Ethics
- Center for Anatomical Science and Education
- Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education
- Center for Interprofessional Education and Research
- Center for Vaccine Development
- The Oberle Institute
- Liver Center
Research and Basic Science Departments
Centers and Institutes
Scholarships
- University Scholarship
- The Everett M. Sugarbaker School of Medicine Scholarship Program
- Tom Dooley Memorial International Elective Scholarship Program
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program
- Armed Forces Scholarships
Research at Saint Louis University School of Medicine
The scientists at Saint Louis University School of Medicine focus on research involving the basis of the disease and how to exploit the understanding of the fundamental characteristics of diseases for clinical treatment. As scientists and physicians, the goal is to bring research to the bedside and offer new therapies. Saint Louis University is one of only nine Catholic Universities with the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions classification for a higher or highest academic operation. In the fiscal year 2014, 284 grants, contracts and subcontracts totaling $32.9 million were awarded to SLU’s medical center researchers in the health sciences. Funding agencies include national health institutes, the National Science Foundation, disease control centers, and other government sources, as well as private industries, corporations, and foundations.
The research centers at SLU are listed below:
- Center for Anatomical Science and Education
- Cancer Center
- Center for Cardiovascular Research
- Center for Health Outcomes Research
- Saint Louis University Liver Center
- Center for Vaccine Development
Research Planning Committee
The Research Planning Committee is the School of Medicine’s Dean’s advisory body on initiatives, programs and long-term goals related to the School of Medicine research. Members shall be named by the Dean for three years, with the recommendations of the Faculty Affairs Committee. Activities by the committee are mainly to review recommendations for awards and fellowships, review of research centers and foundation, review of major equipment requirements and management of internal review unit and presidential research fund.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine Experience
- Global Health
- Health Care Ethics
- Medical Education
- Research
- Wellness
- Service and Advocacy
Student Affairs
The Student Affairs Office provides guidance, counseling and administrative support to all of our students in education. This has an open-door policy and is always open to answering questions and providing support. The office plans major events such as the First-Year Orientation, the annual White Coat Ceremony and other beginning activities.
Learning Communities
The learning communities are student and faculty collectives that share common interests and passions. M.D. students at the University of Medicine at Saint Louis have the option of joining one of six learning communities.
You may belong to one community but you may be involved in other’s activities. For the first two years of the program, the learning groups are responsible for developing quantitative electives. Communities are also responsible for providing lunch or evening workshops, providing student mentorship and developing higher summer opportunities for students from the first and the second year.
Facilities at St Louis University School of Medicine
Medical Center Track at St Louis University School of Medicine
Located at St Louis University School of Medicine Medical Center Recreation Complex, this eight-lane, NCAA-regulation track is available to the SLU medical school community for drop-in use from sunrise until 2:30 p.m. On weekends, Monday through Friday and all day, unless there is a scheduled track meeting or sporting event being held on the field.
Hermann Stadium Track
This 1/3-mile jogging track circles the Hermann Stadium soccer field, allowing walkers and joggers to enjoy a great fitness opportunity on the St Louis University School of Medicine campus. Make sure to check when Billiken varsity soccer games are being played, as track use is not permitted during those periods.
Simon Recreation Center
Simon Recreation Center’s indoor track is available to members whenever the center is open and is about 1/7 mile long.
Saint Louis University Club Sports
Club sports are another chance for you to take part in fun, competitive sports at St Louis University School of Medicine. Our clubs rival other universities and colleges across the nation. The clubs provide opportunities to develop important leadership skills for people at all levels of athletic experience. The level of competition will vary from club to club. Many clubs are intramural, meaning they compete against other SLU medical school students, others compete at the varsity level, and travel to national tournaments throughout the world.
SLU medical school campus accommodation is more than just a place to rest your back. This offers a fellowship. Living, studying and developing on-campus add an exciting dimension to your hard-to-relate education. National research shows students who live on campus perform better academically, graduate faster than their counter parts off-campus, become more engaged and have stronger ties to their peers. Get the new room and board rates from SLU medical school, learn about room assignments and find out what facilities are at your disposal to make SLU medical school housing available. You can very easily sign up for university housing and live as comfortably as you live at home.
Gaining Ultimate Success in a Medical College
Be Audacious
Medicine is a career that is not as boring as many people say it is. You’re going to face a lot in your medical college life. And, the best you can do is just enjoy it all. It doesn’t matter whether good or bad, what matters is that you are available whenever you’re needed. Try to find grace under pressure, and welcome all that life throws upon you. Be brave to be audacious and lift off the clouds of misery from yourself as well as others.
Amplify your Strengths
No one is perfect. But we can surely work hard to get ourselves better. Realize you can’t be good at all but you can surely focus on what matters most and think less about the negative. Even if there is something your class-fellows are good at and you are not good at it don’t get disheartened. For there will be a lot of things where you are better than others so amplify/improve your strengths.
Dr. Najeeb’s Lectures
Medicine is one of the most complex and time-consuming fields of study. Only the genuinely cautious and the extremely committed still dream to consider a career in medicine. Medicine is rightly described as a hard field because a person’s life can rely on your learning and performance skills and abilities. University is a place to learn and research, but also a refuge for so much more. This is your last shelter before getting into the real world. It is the last place you’re in, testing your limits to define your passion, and pursuing your dreams. It is through this complex process that you emerge victorious and ready to face the world, which isn’t just academic. While the study can get tough and frustrating at university, especially through medicine. Though it is possible to manage one’s social life, one’s academic life may often fall behind. The complex formulas and theories, the many hours’ input and perseverance are needed. But this is not a cause for concern or disappointment, because there is a way of enjoying a completely fantastic social life and not having to fall back into your academic life. The solution comes in the form of very precise and focused studies. These clearly explained theorems and insightful lectures promoting existence so much. “Dr. Najeeb’s Lectures are world-renowned for their efficacy and usefulness. Dr. Najeeb’s Lectures are the world’s most popular medical Lectures, covering all the topics of Gross Anatomy, Neuro-anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. They are video lectures that cover almost all the topics in the current medical curriculum of most medical colleges. They contain visualization of what you study in your books. The hand-drawn illustrations in these lectures make it very easy to grasp the concepts. Furthermore, one can get lifetime access to these lectures and even download the app to avail them anytime, anywhere.
Find Mentors and Listen to Them
It is always advised to take assistance from successful people for they can guide about the mistakes you might make or about a certain situation you are stuck in, better than your batchmates. Figure out who your ideal is and follow those ideas with all your heart.
In the end, we’re going to remind you that you’re very smart and that you’re going to get everything you want from life. Just remember working hard and standing firm in circumstances of all kinds. is the key to success. Good luck.