Medical Schools in Louisiana: How to Get In (2025)
/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: rankings & 2024 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 | $79,824 OOS |
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| LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport * | UR - 2024 |
$63,412 OOS |
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| LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans * | UR - 2024 |
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| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus | Tier 4 (Research) - 2024 |
(Note: We strongly advise you to sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date and comprehensive data on individual MD programs and to sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
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Part 3: Louisiana medical school profiles
Tulane University School of Medicine
A storied medical institution with a rich history, Tulane University School of Medicine has been at the forefront of medical education and innovation since its founding in 1834. Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, the school has long been recognized for its commitment to excellence in both clinical training and research. It has produced generations of skilled physicians who have gone on to lead in various fields, from primary care to cutting-edge medical specialties.
Tulane is also a hub for groundbreaking research, contributing to advancements in fields such as infectious diseases, tropical medicine, cardiovascular health, and regenerative medicine. Its faculty members are leaders in their disciplines, and students have opportunities to participate in hands-on research, allowing them to engage with real-world medical challenges from an early stage in their training.
Tulane also offers several dual-degree options that allow students to broaden their expertise and career prospects. Their accelerated dual MD/MBA program s particularly well-suited for those who envision running their own private practice, managing healthcare institutions, or influencing the business side of medicine.
Tulane’s MD/MPH program is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about population health, epidemiology, and health policy. Students in this program gain a comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of health, disease prevention strategies, and public health intervention methods.
For students drawn to the ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions that shape medical practice, the MD/MS in Bioethics and Medical Humanities provides a deep dive into the moral, cultural, and societal issues surrounding healthcare.
(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, serving as a crucial hub for medical education, research, and healthcare in the region. Interestingly, its geographic location places it closer to Dallas than to New Orleans, giving students unique access to a range of medical and professional opportunities in both Louisiana and Texas.
The area's low cost of living, makes it an attractive option for students who want to minimize debt and focus fully on their medical education.
LSUHS Shreveport boasts 31 different academic departments, covering a broad spectrum of medical specializations, from anesthesiology to urology.
For students passionate about medical research, LSUHS Shreveport provides a wealth of opportunities to engage in meaningful scientific inquiry. The institution fosters an environment where students can contribute to ongoing studies, collaborate with faculty, and even lead their own research projects. In addition, LSUHS Shreveport offers dual-degree programs that allow students to integrate research with their medical training, such as their MD/PhD and MD/MPH programs. You can find out more about the MD/PhD program here.
Beyond structured degree programs, LSUHS Shreveport integrates research into the medical curriculum by allowing students to enroll in electives focused on research methodologies, encouraging students to collaborate with faculty on existing projects, and through its Medical Student Research Program, a summer program where students work closely with faculty on a dedicated project.
LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
While LSU itself dates back to 1877, the school of medicine wasn’t established until 1931. Since then, it has played a pivotal role in training generations of physicians, advancing medical research, and improving healthcare access throughout the state.
One of the institution’s most significant assets is its state-of-the-art University Medical Center, a technologically advanced facility that serves as a leading academic medical center in the region.
With training sites in eight cities across the state, students gain firsthand experience treating patients from diverse backgrounds—ranging from underserved rural areas to urban medical centers. This wide-ranging clinical exposure prepares graduates to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by Louisiana residents.
Like its sister school in Shreveport, LSU Health New Orleans fosters a robust research culture, providing students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking medical investigations. Students who are particularly interested in integrating research into their medical careers can pursue the MD/PhD program, which allows them to develop expertise in both clinical medicine and biomedical research.
In addition to general research initiatives, LSU Health New Orleans is home to several Centers of Excellence, which focus on addressing some of the most pressing health concerns in Louisiana and beyond, such as alcohol and drug abuse, cancer, and epilepsy. There’s also a neuroscience center researching diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Students at LSU New Orleans benefit from hands-on learning, mentorship from leading faculty members, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring they are well-equipped for careers in clinical practice, academic medicine, or medical research.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a relatively new addition to Louisiana’s medical education landscape, welcoming its inaugural class in 2020. The Louisiana campus is the fourth branch of VCOM, joining its sister campuses in Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama. Each VCOM campus is affiliated with a local university to foster academic collaboration and community engagement. VCOM-Louisiana is partnered with the University of Louisiana Monroe.
The Louisiana campus focuses on improving healthcare access across the state and the broader Gulf region. Students at VCOM-Louisiana receive a comprehensive osteopathic medical education, emphasizing preventive medicine, primary care, and holistic patient treatment.
Edward Via Louisiana offers three distinct degree options to accommodate a range of academic and professional interests, an MA in Biomedical Sciences, an MS in Applied Healthcare Data Analytics, and a DO. The DO curriculum integrates clinical experiences early in training, ensuring students develop hands-on skills alongside their foundational medical knowledge.
VCOM-Louisiana is committed to hands-on training and community service, ensuring students are not only well-versed in medical science but also actively involved in patient care. The school has partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers across Louisiana, providing students with real-world clinical experiences in a variety of settings.
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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 4%. 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.
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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.
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Gain instant access to the most common traditional and MMI interview questions, plus sample responses for each, to help you craft responses that lead to acceptances. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.
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)
