University College | Washington University in St. Louis

The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at Washington University enables qualified college graduates to take core and elective science and math courses that satisfy medical school admission requirements. You may also take courses in public health, biomedical ethics, medical anthropology, interviewing skills, and other areas that provide a broad context and skill set for the practice of medicine today. Courses may be taken during the day and evening, and are available in fall, spring, and summer terms.

The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program is coordinated by University College, the evening and continuing education division of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. For more information contact Steve Ehrlich, associate dean for undergraduate and special programs, (314) 935-6759, ehrlich@wustl.edu.

The Curriculum

The core courses in the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program meet the general requirements for American medical schools, as well as those for dental, veterinary, osteopathic, and other health professional programs. Students are urged to check individual schools and programs for specific entry requirements.

Core Courses

• Biology: two semesters with laboratory
• General Chemistry: two semesters with laboratory
• Organic Chemistry: two semesters with one laboratory
• Math: two semesters of college math, one must be calculus
• General Physics: two semesters with laboratory
• English: two semesters, one of composition

The following core courses comprise the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program:

Students generally begin their studies in the fall or the summer and complete the program within two years. Calculus I is a prerequisite or corequisite for General Physics. The General Chemistry sequence is normally a prerequisite or co-requisite for the Principles of Biology sequence.

A suggested schedule beginning in the FALL:

First Fall
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry Lab I
General Biology I with lab
Calculus I (if needed)

First Spring
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry Lab II
General Biology II with lab

First Summer
General Physics I with lab
General Physics II with lab
Calculus II or Statistics (if needed)

Second Fall
Organic Chemistry I
Elective (if needed)

Second Spring
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry Lab
Elective

A suggested schedule beginning in the SUMMER:

First Summer
General Physics I with lab
General Physics II with lab
Calculus 1 (if needed)

First Fall
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry Lab I
General Biology I with lab
Calculus II or Statistics (if needed)

First Spring
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry Lab II
General Biology II with lab

Second Summer
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry Lab

Students earning at least 30 units of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher will be awarded a Certificate of Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Study. A maximum of 6 units of transfer credit may be applied to the certificate.

To view evening courses, select "Course Listings & Registration" above. To view daytime courses, go to https://acadinfo.wustl.edu/WebSTAC.asp. In the column along the left side of the page, select "Course Listings". A new window will appear; select "Listings" and search for courses by semester and school (your "school" will be Arts & Sciences).

Advising and Support Services

Advising for post-baccalaureate premedical students at Washington University is provided by the associate dean for undergraduate and special programs in University College to help prospective and new students sharpen goals, select courses, develop academic schedules, locate research and clinical opportunities, and obtain academic support services and resources. Students admitted to the program also may meet with one of the advisors associated with the University's Life Sciences Professions Program. University College, in partnership with the Life Sciences Professions Program, will assist with medical school applications and all related procedures and information, including letters of recommendation, personal statement, AMCAS, and MCAT. MCAT review courses are available on our campus.

A number of academic support services are available to post-baccalaureate premedical students, including the Center for Advanced Learning at Cornerstone, Writing Center, Career Center, individual tutoring, and computer labs. Washington University's Life Sciences Professions Web site has a Bulletin Board listing upcoming events as well as research, volunteer, and summer opportunities. Students will find links to other useful Web sites. The Life Sciences Professions student organizations also offer programs throughout the year. These organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta, Black Premedical Society, the Premedical Society, the Pre-OT/PT Society, and the Pre-Veterinary and Zoologic Science Society have their own Web sites and welcome new memberships.

Application Requirements and Procedures

Applicants must have a demonstrated record of intellectual ability, academic achievement, a high level of motivation, and a commitment to rigorous study in pursuit of a career in medicine or a related health profession. Applicants should have a completed baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), including at least one college-level English composition course with a grade of B or higher, and one college-level mathematics course with a grade of B or higher. It is also advisable to schedule an appointment with the associate dean for undergraduate and special programs in University College. Application deadlines: July 15 for fall, March 15 for summer. The application for the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program must be completed and returned, along with the following items:

· 500-word essay.
· Current resume.
· Two confidential letters of recommendation.
· Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended.
· Nonrefundable $35 application fee.

Tuition, Fees, and Registration

Post-baccalaureate premedical students pay the University College tuition for courses taken during the evening, and a prorated portion of the full-time day tuition for courses taken during the day. For the academic year 2007-2008, undergraduate tuition for evening courses is $465/credit unit. The prorated tuition for day courses is $1438/credit unit. Full time (12 units or more) tuition for day courses is $17,250 for one semester. Tuition and fees, payable by check to Washington University or by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover are due in full at the time of registration. Post-baccalaureate premedical students register for all courses, day or evening, through University College.

Financial Assistance

Students who are admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program and registered for at least six units of credit are eligible for financial assistance, including scholarships offered by University College. Financial aid awards will be calculated at the undergraduate funding level.

Housing

Post-baccalaureate premedical students may have access to on-campus housing and off-campus Washington University housing on a space-available basis. If you are interested in housing, please contact Quadrangle Housing, (800) 874-4330; (314) 935-9511, or click here.

For additional information, contact Steve Ehrlich, Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Special Programs, University College, Campus Box 1064, Washington University, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, (314) 935-6759, ehrlich@wustl.edu.

For a printable application form, click here.