Requirements, selection factors and policies

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:

  • Must be an Illinois resident (unless applying to the MD/JD program, which accepts out-of-state applicants)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen OR have a permanent resident visa OR an Illinois resident with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
  • Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores must not be older than two years, with a minimum score of 498.
  • Overall cumulative undergraduate or last 60 hours or course work grade point average must be 2.80/4.0 scale.
  • Science cumulative undergraduate grade point average minimum of 2.80 (or last 60 hours of science GPA)
  • Must complete 60 credit hours in a U.S. college/university

NOTE: Meeting the admissions requirements does not ensure admission, as the School is limited to admitting 72 first-year students.

AT TIME OF MATRICULATION:

  • Must complete and pass a criminal background check
  • Must have completed a minimum of 90 Semester hours of undergraduate course work in an accredited, degree-granting college/university

Back to top

SELECTION FACTORS

BEFORE THE MCAT: SIU School of Medicine does not require specific prerequisite courses. To perform well on the MCAT, however, we recommend:

  • Two years of chemistry, including organic
  • One year of physics
  • One year of English composition
  • One year of mathematics, including statistics
  • One year of biological or life sciences
  • One semester of biochemistry, cell/molecular biology, physiology, genetics

INTERVIEW SELECTION: Applicants selected for an interview may do so in Springfield. Applicants are selected for interview according to the following criteria:

  • Academic strengths
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities
  • Employment and volunteer experiences
  • Area of residence, with preference given to central and southern Illinois residents and those from rural, inner-city areas

APPLICANT ACCEPTANCE: Before issuing acceptance to an applicant, the Admissions Committee looks beyond the proven scholastic ability for the following factors:

  • Evidence of responsibility, maturity, integrity, and compassion
  • Proper motivation
  • Identification with the goals of the School
  • Exploration of medicine as a career
  • Service orientation
  • Good interpersonal skills

Back to top

ADMISSIONS POLICIES

MCAT:

The Admissions Committee considers MCAT scores that are no more than 2 years old at the time of application (i.e., 2021 MCAT scores are the oldest considered for 2024). The latest MCAT scores considered for 2024 entry are those from the September 2023 test date. The Admissions Committee uses the most recent MCAT scores during its review of applications. The minimum MCAT requirements can be found in our Admissions Requirements section.

PREview:

SIU will be recommending, but not requiring applicants to take the AAMC Professional Readiness Exam (PREview).


LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

SIU School of Medicine accepts letters of recommendation submitted through AMCAS’ letters of evaluation utility. AMCAS offers several ways through which letters can be submitted. Click here to learn about the AMCAS Application Letter of Evaluation.

Applicants have to submit letters of recommendation when they are invited to submit a supplementary application. There are two options:

  1. Submit one pre-health professions committee letter or another composite letter of recommendation.
  2. Submit four individual letters. This option requires three letters written by academic sources (i.e., professor or research advisor) and one personal or professional letter. The Admissions Office must receive all supplementary materials, the application, and letters of recommendation by February 1.

*** Letters from political sources are not recommended***

ILLINOIS RESIDENCY:

SIU School of Medicine only accepts legal Illinois residents for the regular MD program. Legal residents are considered to be those in possession of a valid Illinois drivers’ license and/or those registered to vote in the State. Only the combined medicine and law (MD/JD) program considers non-Illinois residents.