Cracking the Code: A Comprehensive Guide to UCLA Medical School Requirements

The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA stands as one of the nation's most esteemed and fiercely competitive medical schools. Boasting an acceptance rate hovering below 3%, securing a spot at UCLA Medical School has been a daunting feat for even the most exceptional candidates. This challenge was amplified in 2019 when UCLA received a substantial donation aimed at bolstering scholarships, further intensifying the competition.

For those aspiring to earn an MD from UCLA, this guide serves as a roadmap to understanding the requirements and navigating the application process successfully.

Exploring UCLA Medical School's MD Programs

UCLA offers several distinct pathways to obtaining an MD degree, each catering to specific interests and career goals:

The Four-Year Traditional MD Program: This program admits approximately 118 students annually and provides a comprehensive foundation in medical science and clinical practice.
The Medical Science Training Program (MSTP): This joint MD-PhD program, in collaboration with Caltech, typically accepts 15 students per year. It is designed for individuals seeking careers as physician-scientists. The program spans eight years.
UCLA PRIME: This five-year program, admitting around 18 students each year, is tailored for those passionate about leadership and advocacy in medical care for underserved communities. Students in UCLA PRIME earn an MD and a master's degree in a related field, such as an MBA, MPH, or MPP.
The UCLA/Charles R. Drew Medical Education Program: This four-year joint MD program admits 24 students annually and emphasizes community engagement and physician leadership in diverse and disadvantaged populations. Students spend the first two years at UCLA and the remaining two years at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

UCLA/Charles R. Drew MD Programs: A Closer Look

While both the regular UCLA MD and the UCLA/Charles R. Drew MD programs lead to an MD, a significant distinction lies in their focus. Charles Drew University, a designated minority-serving institution and Historically Black Graduate Institution, is "dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations." Consequently, the UCLA/Charles R. Drew joint program aims to produce physicians committed to this mission.

Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements and dedication to service. A genuine commitment to working in disadvantaged communities is crucial for candidates applying to the UCLA/Charles R. Drew program.

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

For the 2024-2025 academic year, UCLA Medical School tuition and fees amount to $51,480 for in-state students and $63,725 for out-of-state students. Factoring in additional expenses like room and board, books, and transportation, UCLA estimates the first-year cost of attendance to be $93,510 for in-state students and $105,755 for out-of-state students.

UCLA offers need-based and merit-based scholarships, including the David Geffen Medical Scholarships, which cover the entire cost of attendance for up to 20 percent of each entering class.

Navigating the Admissions Landscape

Gaining admission to UCLA Medical School is exceptionally competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 2.2 percent. UCLA receives over 14,000 applications for its ~175 spots in each class.

While UCLA has not published average GPA or MCAT scores for its most recent incoming class, successful applicants are generally academically accomplished. In 2019, UCLA announced plans to raise their GPA and MCAT cutoff scores to 3.4 and 512, but later clarified that they do not have minimum requirements.

UCLA considers U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients. They do not accept international students on an F-1 visa.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Essential Competencies and Coursework

While UCLA does not mandate specific coursework, they recommend demonstrating mastery in the following areas:

Biological sciences and physiology: Cellular and molecular biology, genetics
Chemistry, biochemistry, and physical sciences: Inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry of intermediary metabolism, and associated labs
Humanities: Literature, art, history, philosophy, religion, ethics, economics, social behavior, and psychology
Math and statistics: Biomathematics, computer science, and matrix algebra

Successful applicants often possess:

Strong writing and interpersonal skills
Clinical experience
Research experience
Knowledge of healthcare delivery challenges
Awareness of diversity's importance

The MCAT must be taken no later than September of the year preceding admission. For the 2024-2025 application cycle (starting fall 2025), submit an MCAT score earned between January 2019 and September 1, 2024.

Application Timeline

Applications to UCLA's MD program are submitted via AMCAS. Here's a timeline to guide your application:

May 1, 2025: AMCAS application opens
May 27, 2025: AMCAS application can be submitted
July 2025-November 2025: Applications reviewed
August 2025-March 2026: Interviews conducted
October 2, 2025: AMCAS application deadline
October 15, 2025: Offers of admission begin

UCLA utilizes rolling admissions, so early submission of the AMCAS application is highly recommended.

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UCLA screens applicants before sending secondary applications, which must be completed within two weeks of receipt. Admissions offers are extended from October 15th until the class is full.

Mastering the Secondary Application

UCLA's secondary application requires answering several short questions. One prompt asks about societal missions and how applicants have worked towards them. This question seeks to understand what is important to you and how you want to make a difference as a physician.

A useful strategy is to choose a specialty, medical condition, or public health issue that interests you and describe how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to that field. Connect your response to UCLA and explain why UCLA will best prepare you for the future you envision.

Other secondary application questions include:

Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity.
Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful.
Describe your most scholarly project and provide the total number of hours, dates, and advisor.
Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school.
Describe activities you participated in or plan to participate in between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school.
If you identify as part of a marginalized group, describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community.

UCLA sends secondary applications immediately after receiving your primary application materials.

Conquering the Interview

Applicants who advance past the secondary application round are invited to interview. In the 2025-2026 application cycle, all interviews will be conducted virtually.

Interviews will be one-on-one and traditional. Prepare by practicing thinking quickly and familiarizing yourself with UCLA Medical School's program, facilities, and mission statement. Be prepared to articulate why DGSOM is the right medical school for you.

Common interview questions include:

What motivates you?
Tell me about your research projects
Why are you interested in medicine? Why UCLA?
Tell me about it.
How do you feel about American healthcare? How would you fix it?
What did you learn through your volunteering and shadowing experiences?
Why did you select your undergraduate institution?
Where do you see yourself 15 years from now?
Tell me about the most meaningful community service work that you have done.
What is something that you failed at and what did you learn?
What do you like to do for fun?
Do you have any questions for me?

Craft responses that weave in aspects of UCLA’s program to demonstrate your knowledge and genuine interest.

While interviews will be traditional, understanding the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI Interview) format remains valuable. The admissions committee may use MMI-style questions to assess applicants’ emotional intelligence and personal qualities. Speak naturally and personably.

Post-Interview Protocol

After your interview, be prepared for a waiting period that can range from a few weeks to several months. UCLA's rolling admissions process means that each applicant's timeline is unique.

UCLA explicitly states that they do not consider letters of interest or letters of intent. "Any follow-up letters or messages to admissions will not be considered."

Additional Considerations

The requirements are classes that you need to finish PRIOR TO MATRICULATION. You do NOT have to finish them when you apply to schools.
Community college classes DO COUNT towards satisfying the requirements.
Double Majoring is generally an intense endeavor. It is advisable to add it only if you really want it.

To be eligible for the MD Degree at David Geffen School of Medicine, each student must meet DGSOM program objectives, learning objectives of required courses and clerkships, and required clinical experiences.

Students have a maximum of six academic years ending at the conclusion of the School of Medicine Spring term of the sixth academic year for degree completion excluding time spent on an approved academic leave of absence.

Requirements for graduation include:

Passing All Coursework
Annual recommendation for promotion by the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress, & Promotion (CASPP)
Passing National Board Examinations (USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK))
Passing the Clinical Performance Examination (CPX)
Successful completion of the designated four-year program of medical education.

Dual Degree Programs

PRIME-LA: Students are required to complete an MD + Master’s Degree within 150% of the published program length.
UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): Students are required to complete the MD portion of their degree within 150% of the published program length.

Graduate Aspirations

DGSOM aspires its graduates to be:

COURAGEOUS
CURIOUS
DEDICATED
ETHICAL
HUMBLE
HUMANISTIC
REFLECTIVE

Key Application Information

The AAMC PREview exam is required for Traditional MD Program Track applicants.
Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree from a US or Canadian institution by completing at minimum 3 years of undergraduate coursework or have obtained a graduate degree from a US or Canadian institution.
The Secondary application fee is $100.00.
Recommendations are submitted through the AMCAS application portal.
Transcripts are submitted through the AMCAS application portal.
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA does not have an Early Decision Program.
Updates to your application will only be accepted when you submit your Secondary Application.
Earliest MCAT exam date accepted: January 1, 2021
Final deadline for MCAT score submission: October 31, 2025, 8:59pm (Pacific Time)
Primary application submission deadline: October 1, 2025, 8:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and receive equal consideration regardless of the month in which they are received.
We require 3 to 5 letters of recommendation.
The PREview score submission deadline date is November 20, 2025.

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