Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is renowned world-wide as an innovator in medical education. While maintaining high academic standards, the SIU Admissions Committee looks beyond academic qualifications for evidence of responsibility, time management skills, maturity, integrity, social awareness, compassion, service orientation, proper motivation, identification with the goals and nature of the School, exploration of medicine as a career and good interpersonal skills. Preference is given to established residents of downstate Illinois and other underserved locations in the state of Illinois (including rural and inner-city areas). SIU School of Medicine accepts applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).