Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University's School of Medicine students participated in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) on March 21, 2025. The event took place at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, where students discovered their residency matches.

The ceremony featured speeches from Christine Jacobs, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; Chad Miller, M.D., senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education; and class-elected speakers Ayanna Shambe and Girija Vaidya.

Jacobs addressed the students by saying, “You’re well on your way to becoming SLU-trained excellent physicians, inquisitive diagnosticians, and trustworthy advisors to your patients.” She added that those who stay at SLU are welcomed into the community, while those who leave should wear their SLU education proudly.

Miller praised the students' journey from being unsure but enthusiastic first-year students to seasoned individuals ready for residency. “Match Day is not just about where you will spend the next few years of your training. It’s a celebration of your dedication, hard work and resilience,” he said.

In 2021, SLU's School of Medicine received 8,220 applications and conducted 962 interviews. From these interviews, 180 students were selected as part of the incoming Class of 2025. This cohort represented 83 undergraduate institutions with an average MCAT score of 512.

The geographical distribution included 46% from the central region, 30% from the west, 15% from the south, and smaller percentages from other regions including international students. Twelve were first-generation college students and two were military veterans.

This year’s class submitted over 9,271 applications and completed more than 2,400 residency interviews across various programs nationwide. They matched into specialties at institutions such as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center among others.

Ayanna Shambe reflected on their journey together with an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”