Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University (SLU), founded in 1818, is a prestigious private Jesuit research university in St. Louis, Missouri, and Madrid, Spain. As one of the oldest universities west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers a rigorous and transformative education to over 15,000 students across 90 undergraduate and 125 graduate programmes. Rooted in Jesuit values, the university emphasises a service-oriented mission, preparing students to contribute positively to society while fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community.

Things To Consider Before Applying

Applying to Saint Louis University requires a fair portion of work, even before applying. Preparing crucial documents, curating required letters such as recommendations and statement of purpose, and preparing degree transcripts and the marks they need to carry will decide your course of action.
 

Entry Requirements:

Saint Louis University entry requirements for students are, they must meet the following general entry requirements, as well as any specific requirements for their chosen academic programme:

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

1. Academic Transcripts:
   • Submit official transcripts from secondary school demonstrating completion of a high school diploma.
2. Standardised Test Scores:
   • SAT or ACT scores are required for admission.
3. English Language Proficiency:
   • Proof of English proficiency through standardised tests. 
4. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Submission of letters from teachers or counsellors is encouraged.
5. Resume:
   • A professional resume detailing academic and extracurricular achievements.
6. Interview:
   • An interview may be required as part of the admissions process.

Graduate Admission Requirements

1. Academic Transcripts:
   • Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
2. Standardised Test Scores:
   • GRE or GMAT scores may be required for specific programmes.
3. English Language Proficiency:
   • Similar to undergraduate requirements, with the identical minimum scores.
4. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Typically, two letters are required.
5. Resume/CV:
   • A professional resume or curriculum vitae is required.
6. Statement of Purpose:
   • A written statement outlining your academic and professional goals.
7. Portfolio:
   • For certain programmes, a portfolio may be required.
8. Minimum GPA:
   • A minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent is generally required.

Documents

Gathering all necessary Saint Louis University documents in advance can help streamline your application. Ensuring all required documents are ready before the application process can prevent delays and complications.

Undergraduate Application Documents

1. Official High School Transcripts:
   • Request that your high school send official transcripts directly to SLU.
2. Standardised Test Scores:
   • SAT or ACT scores are typically required for admission.
3. English Language Proficiency:
   • Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency through tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
4. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Submission of letters from teachers or counsellors is encouraged.
5. Resume:
   • A professional resume detailing academic and extracurricular achievements may be required.
6. Interview:
   • An interview may be required as part of the admissions process.

Graduate Application Documents

1. Official Transcripts:
   • Provide official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.
2. Standardised Test Scores:
   • GRE or GMAT scores may be required for specific programmes.
3. English Language Proficiency:
   • Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency.
4. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Typically, two letters are required.
5. Resume/CV:
   • A current resume or CV may be requested.
6. Statement of Purpose:
   • A written statement indicating your fields of interest and academic goals.
7. Portfolio:
   • For certain programmes, a portfolio may be required.
8. Financial Documentation:

• Evidence of financial support to cover tuition and living expenses may be required.

How To Apply To Saint Louis University?

Saint Louis University's admission process is streamlined with distinct procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The application processes are distinct but straightforward if you aim to pursue either. Here is a step-by-step process for applying for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes:

For Undergraduate Applicants

1. Choose Your Application Method:
   • You can apply directly through the SLU application portal or the Common Application. There is no application fee for undergraduate admissions. Students can also take help of experts of UniScholars to start their application process. 
2. Complete the Application:
   • Fill out the application form, providing details about your educational background and citizenship.
3. Submit Required Documents:
   • Send your official high school transcripts electronically to SLU.
   • Provide proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores).
   • Optional: Submit standardised test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a resume.
4. Check Application Status:
   • After submitting your application, you can check your status through the Billiken Gateway portal.
5. Interview:
   • An admission interview may be encouraged to discuss your interests and application.

For Graduate Applicants

1. Review Programme-Specific Requirements:
   • Check the specific requirements for your intended graduate programme, as they may vary.
2. Complete the Application:
   • Apply online through the SLU graduate application portal. This step can be completely handled by experts at UniScholars. 
3. Submit Required Documents:
   • Provide official transcripts from all previous institutions.
   • Submit standardised test scores (GRE or GMAT) if required.
   • Include proof of English language proficiency.
   • Provide letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.
4. Pay Application Fee:
   • A non-refundable application fee (typically around $65) is required for graduate applications.
5. Check Application Status:
   • Monitor your application status through the appropriate portal.

Deadlines

Saint Louis University deadlines follow a specific timeline for applications, which vary by programme and level of study. Here are the key deadlines:

Undergraduate Deadlines

• Early Decision I: November 1
• Early Action: December 1
• Regular Decision: April 1 (preferred), but applications will continue to be accepted while space is available.
• Specific Programme Deadlines: For nursing, flight science, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, the application deadline is December 1, after which these majors will no longer be available for admission consideration.

Graduate Deadlines

• Graduate programme deadlines vary by specific programme, so applicants should check the individual programme's requirements for precise deadlines. Common deadlines include:
• Fall Semester: July 1
• Spring Semester: October 1
• Rolling admissions for some programmes, such as Health Data Science.

Decision Dates

Saint Louis University releases admission decisions on a round-to-round basis, considering both Early Action and Regular Decision deadlines. Here are the key decision dates:

Undergraduate Decision Dates

• Early Decision I: Notification by December 1
• Early Decision II: Notification by February 1
• Early Action: Notification by February 1
• Regular Decision: Notification by April 15

Graduate Decision Dates

• Fall Semester: Decisions released on a rolling basis starting July 1
• Spring Semester: Decisions released on a rolling basis starting October 1

Some important notes on SLU's decision dates:

• Early Decision I and II are binding, meaning students admitted under these plans must attend SLU if accepted.
• Early Action is non-binding.
• Regular Decision is also non-binding.
• Graduate programme decisions are made on a rolling basis, so applicants will hear back shortly after their application is complete.

To check your specific application status, you can log into your Billiken Gateway account. Decisions are released electronically through this portal.

Saint Louis University Selection Criteria

Saint Louis University employs a comprehensive selection criteria for admissions, focusing on various academic and personal attributes. Here are the key elements considered during the selection process:

1. Academic Performance:
   • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for undergraduate applicants, with successful candidates typically having higher GPAs. The average unweighted GPA of admitted students is around 3.9.
2. Coursework Rigour:
   • Completion of a college preparatory curriculum is essential, including advanced coursework in subjects such as English, mathematics, and sciences.
3. Standardised Test Scores:
   • While SLU is test-optional, SAT or ACT scores can enhance an application. For graduate programmes, GRE or GMAT scores may be required.
4. English Language Proficiency:
   • International students must demonstrate English proficiency through tests like TOEFL (minimum score of 80) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.5).
5. Letters of Recommendation:
   • Two letters of recommendation are typically required, preferably from teachers, counsellors, or employers who can speak to the applicant's abilities and character.
6. Personal Statement or Essay:
   • A written essay or personal statement is required, allowing applicants to express their motivations and goals.
7. Extracurricular Activities:
   • Involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and leadership experiences are considered important factors in the admissions decision.
8. Interview:
   • An interview may be recommended to provide a personal touch to the application and allow candidates to ask questions about the university.
9. Character and Personal Qualities:
   • The admissions committee also evaluates personal qualities and character, which can be demonstrated through the application essay and letters of recommendation.

These criteria reflect SLU's commitment to a holistic admissions process, aiming to select students who not only excel academically but also contribute positively to the university community.

Saint Louis University Acceptance Rate

Saint Louis University’s acceptance rate is approximately 70% for incoming students. This indicates that the admissions process is moderately competitive, allowing a significant number of applicants to gain admission. The university evaluates candidates based on various criteria, including academic performance, standardised test scores, and personal statements, among others.

Fees

Saint Louis University’s fees vary as per the level of study, choice of programme and the students residence area. The following information will give you a clear idea of the tuition fees as well as other costs associated with studying at this esteemed university.

Undergraduate Tuition

• The undergraduate tuition for full-time students is $27,380 per semester.
• For part-time undergraduate students, the tuition is $1,920 per credit.

Graduate Tuition

• The tuition for most graduate programmes is $1,370 per credit for full-time and part-time students.
• Some specific graduate programmes have a total programme cost, such as:
  • MS Artificial Intelligence, MS Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, MS Computer Science, MS Engineering, MS Biomedical Engineering, and MS Software Engineering: $42,000 total programme cost
  • Master of Social Work (Foundations track): $48,000 total programme cost
  • Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing track): $30,000 total programme cost
  • MS Applied Behavior Analysis: $39,000 total programme cost
  • MA Criminology and Criminal Justice: $33,000 total programme cost