Apply to MEDPREP

Applications are now open: we welcome your application for the MEDPREP Class of 2026. 

The next entering class for MEDPREP will be the Class of 2026 (June 17, 2024 start). Please contact the MEDPREP admissions office with any questions.

Please read the detailed information about the application process below. Form quick-links:

All application materials, including all college transcripts, must be submitted electronically to MPadmissions@siumed.edu. 

Application Overview

We welcome your application to MEDPREP! Prospective students can apply to the program by completing an application that is available online, and submitting at least 2 letters of recommendation and transcripts from each college or university attended. Complete application instructions can be found below.

All applications are reviewed by our admissions committee. Competitive applicants are invited to attend Admission Day, and to interview with MEDPREP faculty. Admission Days will be held virtually for 2024 admissions (several admissions days will be available). The MEPDREP Admissions Committee will then fully consider each candidate's academic record, admission application, interviews, admissions day test results, and letters of recommendation in rendering a decision. All admission committee decisions are final.

Financial Planning

MEDPREP provides opportunity, challenge and support and students are expected to dedicate their time to being full-time students. Due to the intense nature of the program students may not work, particularly in the first year. We encourage all applicants to start early on a sound financial plan as part of an overall plan for success. For more on SUIC tuition and fee costs, please visit:

Information and Inquiries 

Weekly Informational Sessions: Have additional questions? The Admissions Office has virtual appointments available Mondays and Wednesdays between 1-2 pm (CST) and 6-7 pm (CST). Reserve a consultation with Mr. Trent Stevens, Admissions Coordinator, by e-mailing Mr. Stevens. 

Application email: When you are ready to submit application materials, please send all application materials to MPadmissions@siumed.edu. 

Application Deadline

Priority deadline: December 15, 2023. Applicants completing their application by the priority deadline have earlier interviews, and priority applicant admission decisions are made by March 1, 2024. 

Main cycle deadline: March 1, 2024. Please note that application review starts as soon as an application is complete. Invitation to interview and attend Admission Day is competitive and made on a rolling basis. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to complete their application prior to the final application deadline. Final admissions decisions are made by approximately April 15, 2024.

Near miss deadline: April 1, 2024. Applicants who have applied to medical or dental school (must show proof of application and official MCAT/DAT scores) may apply before April 1.  Invitation to interview and attend Admission Day is competitive and made on a rolling basis. Final admissions decisions are made by approximately April 15, 2024. Near-miss applicants should contact the MP Admissions Office for application guidance. 

Admission Day and Applicant Interviews

Admission Days will be held virtually for the 2024 admissions cycle. Admission Day will consist of a virtual program, including informational sessions as well as applicant testing. Applicants will also complete two individually scheduled virtual interviews. The interviews will be on different days than Admission Day. Admission Day program attendance is by invitation only, and students must attend an Admission Day to be considered for admission.

Admission Day Program Format and Requirements

Virtual Program: Invited applicants should plan approximately four hours for the virtual program, which will include a welcome and program overview from the Director, approximately two hours of online testing, presentations from the MEDPREP faculty and staff about the MEDPREP program, and question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions.

Applicants will need a reliable internet connection, and must have audio and video capabilities, as well as access to email. Applicants must attend with "camera on" for the duration of the program, and must utilize a desktop/laptop or "pad" computer (no smartphones). MEDPREP utilizes the Webex platform for all virtual ("zoom meeting") interactions. No special software is required - you will be provided with links to access the program via your internet browser.

Interviews: In addition to attending the admission day virtual program, each invited applicant will complete two online interviews on the Webex platform with MEDPREP faculty. You will be provided with interview information upon Admission Day invitation. Interviews will be approximately 30 minutes in length. These are formal interviews and appropriate attire, as well as a quiet space for the call, are expected. As with the Admission Day program, applicants will need a computer with a stable internet connection, and audio and video capability.

All applicants receiving an Admission Day program invitation will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the virtual program and interviews. Interviews for priority deadline applicants are expected to be scheduled in January; interviews for main cycle applicants are expected to be scheduled through approximately mid-March and for Near-miss cycle applicants in early April.

Orientation and Program Start

The Class of 2026 orientation will be Friday June 14, 2024, with summer session classes starting Monday June 17, 2024. The summer session is 6 weeks in length. Both orientation and the entire summer session are in-person and mandatory for all incoming MEDPREP students. Due to the intense nature of the summer program, you are expected to remain in Carbondale for the duration of the session. We strongly discourage travel during the 6-week summer session. After summer session, there is a 3-week break prior to the start of the fall semester.

Program Format and Instruction

MEDPREP is a residential (in-person) program, with in-person instruction on the SIUC Campus. MEDPREP does not have a fully online option. Hybrid or online learning is utilized as needed in case of pandemic or other emerging public health policy. Accepted students must move to Carbondale to participate in the program. Applicants who will be unable to move to the Carbondale area, or who are unable or unwilling to participate in in-person education with best-practice infection control (social distancing, mask wearing, etc. as needed depending on school, state and federal guidelines or regulations) should strongly consider applying for a future year. We cannot guarantee deferments of enrollment for accepted students. 

Program Duration

MEDPREP is a two-year program. Students attend a summer session upon program entry, followed by two long semesters following the SIUC academic year calendar. Taking classes during the second summer is optional. Rising second-year MEDPREP students typically work, attend research programs, take additional coursework or focus on medical school/dental school applications during this time. All students return for a second year of coursework, following the August-May SIUC academic schedule to complete the MEDPREP program. The MEDPREP program concludes at the end of the spring term of the student's second year.

Minimum Qualifications to Fill out an Application

  • Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5.
  • Science course (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or BCPM) GPA of 2.5.
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card), or DACA status. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept international students, or students in the U.S. on work or student visas.
  • Completed all or all but one medical school prerequisite course:
    • 1 year Biology with Laboratory
    • 1 year General Chemistry with Laboratory
    • 1 year Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
    • 1 year Physics with Laboratory
    • 1 semester of Biochemistry (Recommended but not required).
    • 1 semester of either Introductory Psychology or Introductory Sociology (Recommended but not required).
  • Clinical experience, such as physician/dentist shadowing, hospital or clinic volunteerism, employment as an EMT, CNA or other health technician, ED scribing, medical mission trips, etc. are strongly encouraged prior to attending MEDPREP. We have only very limited shadowing experiences available through the MEDPREP program; students should thus already have some professional career exploration as well as community service and/or research (recommended but not required) prior to MEDPREP entry. 

Fee to Apply

There is no fee to apply to the program. An SIUC application processing fee is charged only if you are admitted into MEDPREP.

Application Procedure

The MEDPREP application process closely mirrors the application process for medical, PA, and dental schools. There are a number of steps so please read the application instructions carefully. The application materials must be sent directly to MEDPREP: DO NOT apply through the SIUC main campus application portal. 

Step 1. Download and fill out the  application forms. Download and fill out the MEDPREP Application Form as well as the Applicant Demographic Data Form. Once filled out, you will be able to send your application to the MEDPREP admissions email (MPadmissions@siumed.edu). 

Step 2: Prepare transcripts. Applicants must provide a transcript from each college or university they have attended (this includes colleges, universities, community colleges or foreign schools unless part of a foreign exchange program through a US institution). Military veterans: you must also send your military school Joint Service Transcript (JST). Transcripts may be official or unofficial, but must be submitted in electronic format. You may not use screen shots, student-view printouts, or blurry images. Please note that if you are accepted to MEDPREP, you will need official transcripts to complete your admissions paperwork. If you are unable to send an official transcript upon MEDPREP acceptance, you will not be able to enter the MEDPREP program.  

Step 3: Request Letters of Recommendation. Each recommendation must be accompanied by a recommendation form. Download the recommendation form here to give to your recommenders. Letters must be written on official business or school letterhead, and accompanied by the recommendation form. Recommenders must email letters to the MEDPREP admissions email (MPadmissions@siumed.edu). Recommendation letters must come directly from recommender's email address. Copies of recommendation letters sent by applicants will not be accepted.  

Step 4: Send applications materials to MEDPREP. Application and transcripts must be sent to the MEDPREP admissions email (MPadmissions@siumed.edu) by applicable deadlines. 

Application Deadlines:

Priority Deadline: December 15, 2023

Main Cycle Deadline: March 1, 2024

Near-Miss Applicant Deadline: April 1, 2024.  (Note: Near-miss applicants must have proof of application to  medical, dental or Physician Assistant programs for Fall 2024 and must provide official MCAT, DAT or GRE scores as applicable). Near-miss applicants should contact the Admissions Office for application guidance.                                                                                    

Additional questions? Please contact Mr. Stevens in the MP Admissions Office. 


Trent Stevens
Admissions Coordinator
MEDPREP Office of Admissions
618-453-1554

E-mail Mr. Stevens