Missouri Medical Schools 2025 Guide: MD & DO Programs, Admissions, and Strategy

Why consider Missouri for medical school

Missouri blends major urban hospitals in St. Louis and Kansas City with community and rural training sites across the state. You will work with diverse patient populations, see a wide range of pathologies, and find programs that value service, primary care, and research. Public schools can offer in-state tuition advantages, while private programs bring extensive research depth and specialty exposure.

MD vs DO in Missouri

Missouri has four MD programs and two DO programs. MD tracks emphasize allopathic training. DO tracks add osteopathic principles such as osteopathic manipulative medicine and a whole-person approach. Both pathways match into the full spectrum of residencies. Choose based on mission fit, learning style, and clinical goals.

Missouri medical schools at a glance

Verify prerequisites, timelines, and costs on each school’s site before you apply.

#1. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis MD

Location: St. Louis
Known for: Research intensity, specialty breadth, strong mentorship, and robust scholarly opportunities from year one.
Training: Tertiary and quaternary care across an integrated academic health system.
Good fit for: Applicants seeking high-level research, subspecialty depth, and academic medicine trajectories.

#2. Saint Louis University School of Medicine MD

Location: St. Louis
Known for: Jesuit values, service, and strong clinical training across urban and community sites.
Training: Early patient contact, emphasis on professionalism and ethics, active community engagement.
Good fit for: Students who want mission-driven education with balanced research and service.

#3. University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia MD

Location: Columbia
Known for: Community-focused training, collaborative culture, and statewide clinical partnerships.
Training: Early clinical integration, simulation, and strong primary care and specialty exposure.
Good fit for: Students who value a mid-sized college town, accessible faculty, and broad rotation options.

#4. University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine MD

Location: Kansas City
Known for: Innovative curriculum and longitudinal clinical exposure across a large urban network.
Training: Citywide clerkships that develop communication, teamwork, and systems thinking.
Good fit for: Applicants who want early patient contact and big-city clinical variety.

#5. A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) DO

Location: Kirksville
Known for: Historic home of osteopathic medicine, strong primary care and rural health orientation.
Training: OMM integration, community placements, and preparation for service in underserved areas.
Good fit for: Students aligned with whole-person care and rural or community practice.

#6. Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU) DO

Location: Kansas City
Known for: Large clinical affiliate network, strong primary care outcomes, community service.
Training: Early clinical skills, OMM labs, and rotations across diverse community hospitals and clinics.
Good fit for: Learners who want a DO pathway with extensive Midwest clinical sites.

How to choose the right Missouri program

#1. Map your mission fit

Read each school’s mission and look for a clear link to your experiences. If you have sustained community service or rural health exposure, highlight this for schools that prioritize those values.

#2. Compare curriculum and clinical sites

Note how early you will see patients, where you will rotate, and how the program supports research, service, or leadership tracks.

#3. Budget by total cost of attendance

Review tuition, fees, health insurance, and living costs in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Kirksville, or other rotation sites. Public programs may have in-state advantages. Private programs may offer institutional aid.

#4. Build a balanced list

Use recent class profiles to anchor your reach, target, and foundation schools. Focus on fit, not just brand.

Missouri application strategy that works

#1. Earn credible clinical experience

Prioritize roles with real patient interaction and teamwork. Keep reflection notes you can use in secondaries and interviews.

#2. Demonstrate service and cultural competence

Long-running commitments in clinics, shelters, schools, or public health programs show reliability and empathy. Many Missouri schools value readiness to serve diverse and underserved communities.

#3. Plan testing and timing

Schedule the MCAT with buffer time for a retake, submit AMCAS or AACOMAS early, and return secondaries within one to two weeks. Request letters well in advance.

#4. Tell a cohesive story

Use your personal statement to explain your why. Use secondaries to show program-specific fit. Back your claims with concrete examples and outcomes.

Add a global clinical edge with Go Elective

Structured, mentored experience in resource-limited settings builds communication, adaptability, and cultural competence. These stories land well in Missouri interviews and strengthen your readiness for diverse patient care.

• Pre-meds and pre-health: Pre-Health and Pre-Med Internships
• Medical students: Medical Electives and Residency Electives
• Considering PA routes too. Explore Physician Assistant Internships and Pre-PA Internships
• Dental and nursing tracks. See Dental Electives Abroad, Pre-Dental Internships, Nursing Electives, and Pre-Nursing Shadowing

FAQs: Missouri medical schools

I. How many medical schools are in Missouri

Six total, four MD programs and two DO programs.

II. Do Missouri schools prefer in-state applicants

Public programs often prioritize residents, yet strong out-of-state candidates are admitted each year.

III. Which school is the best

The best program is the one that fits your goals. Compare mission, curriculum, clinical sites, advising culture, research options, and cost.

IV. How can I stand out

Pair solid academics with reflective clinical experience, sustained service, and school-specific essays that show clear alignment.

Next steps

• Apply for upcoming cohorts in Kenya or Tanzania
• Have questions about placements, housing, or timing. Inquire here

Go-Elective does not provide admissions advising. Always verify current prerequisites, deadlines, tuition, and fees on each medical school’s official website and in AMCAS or AACOMAS.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, MCAT/MSAR/USMLE, Med Schools,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 13, 2025