MD admissions
Admission requirements
The education and training that SIU School of Medicine learners and residents receive is designed to do more than produce superior doctors with well-honed clinical skills. We place a priority on advancing empathetic, professional and humanistic physicians to pursue our mission ─ helping the people of central and southern Illinois meet their health care needs.
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Must be an Illinois resident (unless applying to the MD/JD program, which accepts out-of-state applicants)
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Must be a U.S. citizen OR have a permanent resident visa
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Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores must not be older than two years, with a minimum score of 498
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Overall cumulative undergraduate, or last 60 hours or course work, grade point average must be 2.80/4.0 scale, and a science cumulative undergraduate grade point average minimum of 2.80 (or last 60 hours of science GPA)
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At the time of application, must have completed 60 credit hours in a U.S. college/university
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Must complete and pass a criminal background check
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At the time of matriculation, must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate course work in an accredited, degree-granting college or university
Selection factors
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
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, or disadvantaged backgrounds
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
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. 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***
MD admissions timeline
| AMCAS submission | June 1 - November 15 |
| AMCAS deadline | November 15 |
| Supplemental application submission | July 15 to February 1 |
| Supplemental application receipt deadline | 4:30 pm CST, February 1 |
| Admissions interviews | August – March |
| Acceptance notification | December, February, March, and as needed thereafter. |
| Multiple acceptance decision deadline | April 30 |