MEDPREP applicant information

MEDPREP Mission

The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Medical and Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) is an intensive two-year academic enhancement program designed to help socioeconomically disadvantaged students and educationally disadvantaged students improve their academic credentials for medical or dental school entry.

Next class begins: 

Applications for the Class of 2027 (2025 entry) are now available - download your application materials today (see below under "Application Materials Checklist." Orientation for the Class of 2027 will be June 13, 2025 and classes will begin June 16, 2025. 

Program format: 

MEDPREP utilizes a cohort model, and all students start the program in the summer semester. The MEDPREP program is 5 semesters for pre-dental and pre-medical students: the six-week summer program is followed by two academic years. The pre-physician assistant track is 3 semesters (summer program followed by two semesters: fall and spring). 

Enrollment options:

Students choose the pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-physician assistant (PA) track. For the pre-medical or pre-dental track, students can complete either the traditional sequence, or may enroll in the concurrent master’s degree program. These tracks are 5 semesters in length (summer, plus two academic years). For the PA track, students may enroll in the traditional track only, and the PA track is 3 semesters in length (summer, plus one academic year). All MEDPREP tracks are in-person in Carbondale, IL. We do not have online program options. 

Admissions process:

MEDPREP accepts up to 36 students per year. Applicants must be US citizens, Permanent Residents, or DACA status. All application materials are emailed to the program directly. Do not apply via the SIUC application portal. Competitive students will be invited to attend a virtual Admissions Day, which includes interviews with MEDPREP faculty. Students accepted into the program will be offered an opportunity to visit MEDPREP in-person prior to the admissions acceptance deadline. 
 

Students must meet the following minimum qualifications for application. Please note that the admissions process is competitive, and meeting minimum qualifications for application does not guarantee an invitation to Admissions Day or program acceptance.

• Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5. 
• Science course (mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics) GPA of 2.5.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card), or DACA status.
• Completed all, or all but one medical school prerequisite course (one year introductory biology with laboratory, one year general chemistry with laboratory, one year organic chemistry with laboratory, one year physics with laboratory). A semester of biochemistry, and a semester of either introductory psychology or introductory sociology are recommended but not required. 
• There is no fee to apply to the program. An SIUC application processing fee is charged only if you are admitted to MEDPREP.
• While our recruitment strategy focuses on the State of Illinois and contiguous states, we welcome inquiries and applications from students nationwide.

Application checklist:

• Completed MEDPREP application form and MEDPREP applicant demographic form.
• Two letters of recommendation (download the LOR request form here). 
• Transcripts from each college or university attended. Transcripts may be unofficial, but must be legible, and include semester, course name, course credits and grade for each course completed. 

For exact application deadlines and to download application forms, visit the Apply page. 

Program deadlines for 2025 entry:

MEDPREP has three admissions cycles: Priority, Main and Near-miss.

The deadline for the priority cycle is Friday, December 6, 2024. There are several advantages to the Priority cycle, including earlier consideration and earlier notification of program status. 

The main cycle deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. All students who have completed and submitted their MEDPREP application and submitted all additional required materials will be considered for admission. 

The near-miss cycle is only for candidates who have completed and verified medical, dental or PA school applications and official MCAT, DAT or GRE scores. The near-miss deadline is March 28, 2025. An extended near-miss deadline of April 25, 2025 is available to applicants who attend in-person the AMEC conference in St. Louis, April 16-20, 2025. Students interested in applying through the near-miss cycle must contact the MP Admissions Office for guidance. 

Program costs:

MEDPREP traditional track students enroll at SIUC undergraduate program rates. SIUC has "flat rate" undergraduate tuition for students from all U.S. states. For students pursuing a concurrent Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences, the graduate tuition rate will apply. Please note that residents from IL and a number of nearby states and counties pay in-state graduate tuition, but out-of-state rates will apply to applicants from most other US states. For more on SIUC tuition, fees, and budgeting, please visit:

• SIUC Estimated Costs and Budgets Page (downloadable estimated budget sheets).
• SIUC Tuition and Fee Calculator and information page. 

Admissions questions? Please contact our Admissions Office. 

MEDPREP Admissions Office
Trent F. Stevens, MEd, MA
Admissions Coordinator
MEDPREP Office of Admissions
Southern Illinois University
210 Wheeler Hall, Mail Code 4323
975 South Normal Avenue
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-1554