Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program -- Washington University in St. Louis

The Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at Washington University in St. Louis enables qualified college graduates to take core and elective science and math courses that satisfy medical school admission requirements. You also may take approved elective courses in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities that provide a broad context and skill set for the practice of medicine today. The program is flexible to accommodate individuals changing careers, including those without a science background. For students who enter the program with most premedical course requirements complete, the program offers numerous upper level biology courses to enhance a previous academic record and demonstrate science mastery. Courses are typically taken during the evening, and are available in fall, spring, and summer terms. Day courses are also available to students though tuition rates are higher (Request Info). 

Students earning at least 30 units of credit, 24 units of which must be completed at Washington University with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher, will be awarded a Certificate of Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Study.

Students wishing to complete fewer than 24 units of coursework are not eligible for admission to the program but are welcome to register for courses at Washington University on a nondegree basis. For more information on nondegree study, click here.

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 an advisor (314) 935-6700 or pbpm@artsci.wustl.edu

Printable Application Form

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 laboratory
• Math: two semesters of college math. Varies according to school. Statistics recommended. For broadest range of schools, complete Calculus I and II.
• 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 co-requisite for General Physics. The General Chemistry sequence is normally a prerequisite or co-requisite for the Principles of Biology sequence.

Suggested Schedule (beginning in 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
Calculus II or Statistics (if needed)
Elective (if needed) 

 Second Fall
Organic Chemistry I with lab
General Physics I with lab 

Second Spring
Organic Chemistry II with lab
General Physics II with lab

Some exceptional and well prepared students may be able to complete the program in 12 months beginning in the summer. However, most students spend two academic years satisfying requirements. The program may take up to three years for students who are not able to attend on a full time basis. Please speak with an advisor about your plans before registering for classes. Completing coursework in the summer likely will affect an applicant's MCAT test date and the timing of his/her application to medical school. There are many aspects of the application process to be considered when planning.

Available Summer Courses

General Biology I with lab
General Biology II with lab
General Physics I with lab
General Physics II with lab
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry Lab I
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry Lab II
Organic Chemistry I with lab
Organic Chemistry II with lab
Calculus I
Calculus II
Statistics
A variety of advanced biology courses, including biochemistry

Advising and Support Services

Personalized one-on-one advising for post-baccalaureate premedical students at Washington University is provided to help prospective and new students set  goals, select courses, develop academic schedules, locate research opportunities, and obtain academic support services and resources. Advisors  provide direction for the medical school application process and all related procedures, including letters of recommendation, personal statement, AMCAS, and MCAT preparation. Advisors provide a detailed cover letter to support the professional school application for those students who have completed at least 24 credits in the program with a GPA of 3.2 or better.

MCAT review courses are available on our campus. In addition, 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 Profession Web site links to listings of upcoming events as well as research, volunteer, and summer opportunities.

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 to Elizabeth Fogt, advisor for the post-baccalaureate premedical program. Application deadlines: July 1 for fall and April 1 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.

Please mail all application materials to:
Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program
University College Admissions
Campus Box 1085, One Brookings Drive
Washington University
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

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.  Students must pay in full (cash, check, credit card) or provide an approved alterate method of payment (financial aid, employer reimbursement, military benefit, WU tuition benefit or payroll deduction) prior to being registered.  Click here for tuition and payment information.  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 4.5 units of credit are eligible for financial assistance for the length of the program (up to three years), provided they meet satisfactory academic progress standards. Financial aid awards will be calculated at the graduate funding level.

Health Insurance

All students admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program are required to purchase the Washington University student health insurance plan. Additionally, the policy may be purchased for dependents. For a more detailed summary of the current student health insurance policy, please visit the Student Health Services Web site, http://shs.wustl.edu, and click on "Health Insurance." The 2011-2012 annual cost for this policy will be $632, half of which will be billed during each of the FL11 and SP12 semesters. Students who register for the summer semester but were not enrolled in the previous spring semester will be charged a prorated cost of $50 per month for health insurance during the period of June 1 through July 31.

Students admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies program who take a medical leave of absence must do so according to the requirements and procedures of Washington University Student Health Services. A student may take no more than two semesters of medical leave of absence from the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies program. A written statement from Student Health Services concerning readiness to return, along with the student's written request for reinstatement, is required in order to be eligible for reinstatement to the program. For further information and details about medical leave policy and procedures, please visit the Student Health Services website.

Housing

Post-baccalaureate premedical students may have access to 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.

Forms

Printable Application Form
MedPrep Shadowing Program Application

For additional information, contact advisors Elizabeth Fogt or Shawn Cummings, University College, Campus Box 1085, Washington University, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, (314) 935-6700, pbpm@artsci.wustl.edu

To contact University College, telephone (314) 935-6700, or E-mail ucollege@artsci.wustl.edu.

For information about program cost, length, completion rate, and employment and median debt statistics for students who completed our program, visit ucollege.wustl.edu/cert_titleIV_disclosure.