Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program
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 also may take additional 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 career changers, students without a science background, and individuals who want to enhance a previous academic record. Courses may be taken during the day and evening, and are available in fall, spring, and summer terms.
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 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 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
| Course Name | Credit Units |
Day Course | Evening Course |
| Biology | |||
| General Biology I with lab | 4 | L41 2960 | U29 101 |
| General Biology II with lab | 4 | L41 2970 | U29 102 |
| Biochemistry (recommended) | 3 |
L41 451 | U29 406 |
| Chemistry | |||
| General Chemistry I | 3 | L07 111A | U05 105 |
| General Chemistry I Lab | 2 | L07 151 | U05 151 |
| General Chemistry II | 3 | L07 112A | U05 106 |
| General Chemistry II Lab | 2 | L07 152 | U05 152 |
| Organic Chemistry I | 3 | L07 251 | U05 205 |
| Organic Chemistry II | 3 | L07 252 | U05 206 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab | 2 | L07 257 | U05 255 |
| Physics | |||
| General Physics I with lab | 4 | L31 117A | U23 211 |
| General Physics II with lab | 4 | L31 118A | U23 212 |
| Mathematics | |||
| Calculus I | 3 | L24 131 or 127 |
U20 155 |
| Calculus II | 3 | L24 132 or 128 |
U20 156 |
| Statistics | 3 | L24 320 | U20 305 |
| English Composition | |||
| English Composition I | 3 | L13-100 | U11-101 |
| English Composition or Literature | 3 | Select from available options | Select from available options |
| Elective Courses In addition to the core courses, elective courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are also available during the day and evening. While offerings vary, the following courses are generally available each year: |
|||
| Vertebrate Structure | Vertebrate Development | Biochemistry | Immunology |
| Physical Chemistry | Cell Biology | Molecular Biology | Developmental Biology |
| Human Physiology | Literature of Pain |
Biomedical Ethics | Medical Anthropology |
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
To view evening courses, select "Courses & Registration" above in the silver navigation bar near the top of the screen.
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 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 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.
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. For the academic year 2008-2009, undergraduate tuition for evening courses is $495/credit unit. The prorated tuition for day courses is $1508/credit unit. Full time (12 or more units; not to exceed 21 units) tuition for day courses is $18,100. 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.
Health Insurance
Beginning in Fall 2008 all students admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program will be 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 2008-2009 annual cost for this policy will be $686, half of which would be billed during each of the FL08 and SP09 semesters.
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.
This page was last updated on 9 May 2008.
