Medical Schools in Louisiana: How to Get In (2024)
/All the facts about medical schools in Louisiana: the best programs, statistics, and strategies for getting in
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Louisiana: 2023 rankings & admissions statistics
Part 3: Louisiana medical school profiles
Part 4: Louisiana medical school admissions strategies
Appendix A: Louisiana medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Louisiana medical schools by institution type
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Part 1: Introduction
Famous for its balmy weather, fantastic Cajun and Creole cuisines, swamp tours, and for being the birthplace of jazz, top-quality medical schools may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Louisiana.
However, with medical schools at institutions such as Tulane and Louisiana State University, many aspiring doctors look to Louisiana and its low cost of living as a great place to obtain their education.
Three of the four medical schools in Louisiana are allopathic with the only osteopathic school being the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. So, if you’re hoping to get your MD in a culturally vibrant and storied place, Louisiana may fit the bill for you.
In this guide, we’ll look at each medical school in Louisiana and break down what makes each one unique, what their admissions statistics are and our top tips for how to get in.
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Part 2: List of Medical Schools in Louisiana
Having the most accurate and up-to-date information about the medical schools in Louisiana and what will be required of you to gain admission is of primary importance. We’ve compiled a table of the most pertinent data for you below.
| Louisiana Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane University School of Medicine | |||||||||
| LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport * | |||||||||
| LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans * | |||||||||
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus |
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Part 3: Louisiana medical school profiles
Tulane University School of Medicine
A storied medical institution, Tulane University School of Medicine has been creating doctors since 1834 from its campus in downtown New Orleans. It’s renowned for creating physicians that are top in their field and for being a center of research.
Tulane offers a range of dual degree options. Their accelerated dual MD/MBA program is well-suited for students looking to start their own practice upon graduation. The addition of an MBA can open many other avenues for employment from working with medical technology to pharmaceuticals.
An MD/MPH (master’s in public health) option grants its students the capacity to deeply understand the issues in public health policy and prepares them for possible careers in academia or research.
If the ethics of medicine fascinates you, a dual MD/MS in Bioethics and Medical Humanities will give you a solid foundation in the current issues surrounding the practice and delivery of healthcare in the 21st century.
(Suggested Reading: How to Get Into Tulane Medical School: Requirements and Strategies)
LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport
The LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport (LSUHS) is the only medical school in north Louisiana and as such, is actually closer to Dallas than New Orleans. With the area’s low cost of living, it’s especially attractive to students wishing to save on housing costs and to really focus on their education.
LSUHS Shreveport has 31 different departments teaching specializations from anesthesiology to urology. They also offer a wide variety of paths for students to engage in research.
If you’re particularly keen on doing research as part of your MD, LSUS Shreveport is a fantastic option. Dual degree programs such as MD/PhD and MD/MPH, are offered in cooperation with their School of Graduate Studies and Louisiana Tech. You can find out more about the MD/PhD program here.
Additionally, there are research electives and lectures in research methods built into the curriculum. Students are encouraged to volunteer for available research opportunities. Even if you’d just like to test the waters when it comes to research, there is a Medical Student Research Program allowing you to work with faculty over the summer on a particular project.
LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
While LSU itself dates back to 1877, the school of medicine wasn’t established until 1931. Boasting a new and technologically advanced University Medical Center, LSU Health New Orleans stands at the forefront of education and care.
If you happen to be from Louisiana and are looking to give back to your community, earning your MD from LSU Health New Orleans is a great way to do that. With training sites in 8 cities across the state, you’ll gain experience serving Louisianans from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Furthermore, like its sister school in Shreveport, it also offers a variety of research opportunities to students and dual degree programs like the MD/PhD. “Centers of excellence” that engage in focused research and treatment of conditions from alcohol and drug abuse to cancer are also part of the health sciences center. The epilepsy center is the only tertiary care center for this condition along the Gulf Coast.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a recent addition to medical schools in Louisiana, having taken its inaugural class in 2020. The Louisiana campus is the fourth VCOM branch to be established. Each branch is associated with a local university with this one connected to University of Louisiana Monroe.
VCOM offers 3 degree options, an MA in Biomedical Sciences, an MS in Applied Healthcare Data Analytics and a DO.
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Part 4: Louisiana Medical School Admissions Strategies
Consider the data and your own stats
When applying to medical schools in Louisiana, it’s important to try and discern what the data you have about the school is telling you. For example, looking at the schools above, both LSU schools and Edward Via seem to accept students with higher GPAs but lower MCAT scores. For Tulane, their accepted GPA may be lower but their average MCAT score is higher.
You’ll also want to think about how your scores compare with the average applicant at these schools. First, remember this is an average score, so there are just as many applicants with GPAs and MCAT scores higher as there are lower. Are your scores right down the middle? Are they slightly above the average or slightly below?
In addition to GPA and MCAT scores, taking interview rates into consideration can save you time and energy when deciding where to apply. For med schools in Louisiana, the number of applicants LSU interviews is around 7% while Tulane is only around 2-3%. If your scores are below average for a school that has a selective interview rate, your time might be better spent applying where you are more likely to get an interview.
Consider the aims of the school
A school’s mission statement is a vital clue to the kinds of applicants they’re seeking. These can give you a broad idea of the values and overall purpose of the schools that you can leverage in secondary application essays and medical school interviews.
For example, Tulane’s mission statement mentions some core values such as compassion, collaboration and integrity. It would be a good idea to submit essays that show how you encompass those values in your work or studies. LSU Health New Orleans mentions partnering with “local health care systems and community organizations” which could make any volunteering work you’ve done in your community stand out on your application.
Consider interview day
Once you’ve sent off your application, you should begin thinking about what will happen if you’re invited for an interview. What will interview day be like? What type of interview will you encounter; traditional or MMI, open or closed file? What questions will be asked?
Forming well-thought-out responses to common interview questions beforehand, is a vital part of the interview process. Make sure you’ve considered how to answer “Why medicine?” and “Why our school?” but also think about more complicated questions like “What is currently the biggest problem in healthcare?” and specifically what you wish to accomplish by addressing that issue in your career.
With proper preparation and forethought, you’ll easily pass the final hurdle on your way to a white coat by impressing adcoms with your confidence and personable demeanor.
Final Thoughts
Louisiana is awash in vibrant culture, diverse populations and top-quality medical education. When selecting a school to apply to, try and find one that aligns with your interests and ultimate goals. If you communicate that on your application clearly and succinctly, your chances of acceptance are sure to increase substantially.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
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Appendix A: Louisiana medical schools by degree type
Allopathic (MD) Schools in Louisiana
Tulane University School of Medicine
LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport
LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Osteopathic (DO) Schools in Louisiana
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
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Appendix B: Louisiana medical schools by institution type
Public Medical Schools in Louisiana
LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport
LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Private Medical Schools in Louisiana
Tulane University School of Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
