Inside the Medical School Admissions Process

A conversation with Hiral Choksi, M.D., associate dean of admissions 

Academic success is not the only factor in medical school admissions. The process also requires careful evaluation and recruitment of students who will be dedicated to their career and community.

“At Saint Louis University, we are very mission focused,” said Hiral Choksi, M.D., associate dean of admissions. “We look at our Jesuit identity, and we see how applicants demonstrate and live cura personalis, care for the whole person.”

The School of Medicine receives upwards of 6,000 applications for only 175 new student openings. In addition to following standards set by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the Committee on Admissions conducts a holistic evaluation of each applicant, assessing character, professional aspirations and academic achievements.

“As much as it is about the grades and the MCAT, that does not always mean the application speaks to the school’s mission," she said. “I always tell applicants to ensure they are a good fit with SLU’s mission.”

Today’s admissions process has evolved into a 14-month timeline, beginning with the application submission. All applications are evaluated using a standardized rubric. From there, applicants may be offered a virtual interview to determine if they will be formally accepted the following year.

Regardless of the total applicant numbers, SLU’s Committee on Admissions strives to select the most exceptional candidates from all backgrounds to become the next generation of physicians. It welcomes recommendations from its alumni, faculty and supporters, although AAMC and LCME standards prohibit influence by community members or university officials outside of the Committee on Admissions to ensure a complete and fair admissions process.

“What sets applicants apart are those who demonstrate that serving people in need is a part of their vocation,” Choksi said. “Our alumni have a sense of what this means as they may inspire the next generation of SLU School of Medicine candidates who embody SLU’s mission.”

By the end of the admissions cycle, the School of Medicine welcomes an exceptional cohort of medical students prepared to live out SLU’s Jesuit mission. The educational journey amplifies their values as they learn to practice with integrity and compassion.