UCLA Medical School Acceptance Rate: Do you want to know how to get into UCLA medical school or you are asking what is UCLA Medical School Acceptance Rate for this academic session.
Well, you are not alone; there are numerous students asking exactly the same question and more like;
- What GPA do you need to get into UCLA medical school?
- How much does UCLA medical school cost?
- What MCAT score do you need for UCLA medical school?
- Is UCLA a good medical school?
- How does UCLA medical school rank?
UCLA Medical School, officially known as the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM at UCLA), is one of the best-ranked and most famous medical schools in the United States. It is also one of the most competitive.
With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, even the finest applicants have traditionally struggled to get admission to the institution.
Nonetheless, Medicine is a very important discipline of science that deals with human health; as a result, it is a career path that is very demanding.
To be admitted to a medical school, you must pass a number of exams while also meeting the entrance requirements.
So, in this article we will be looking at the UCLA medical school acceptance rate and admission requirements to see how likely you are to get into their medical school.
If you’re hoping to be one of the lucky few to earn an MD from UCLA, read on to learn more about getting into UCLA medical school.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the elements of applying to UCLA Medical School, share the strategies our successful UCLA Medical School applicants have used, and give you expert advice on processing repeat applications to UCLA.
Without Ado let’s dive…
What You Need To Know About UCLA Medical School
UCLA Medical School, was founded in 1951 and is one of the smallest medical schools in the United States.
It is the University of California’s second medical school. The school enjoys a global reputation as a result of its institutional achievements.
This medical school has approximately 713 full-time students. With around 120 students enrolling in the MD program each year and 2723 full-time professors, the student-to-professor ratio at David Geffen College of Medicine is 3.8: 1.
Medical students are trained in one of the region’s 21 affiliated hospitals, which include Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical Center, and Kaiser.
The school, on the other hand, offers a freshmen program known as the Big Sib Lil Sib program. This program forms tiny first, second, third, and fourth-year families with common interests and hobbies.
Furthermore, the program connects all classes and serves as an integrated support system at the start of the Faculty of Medicine.
In addition to the Big Sib Lil Sib program, the school provides new students with annual events such as second-year banquets, fourth-year banquets, and annual talent showcases. The following are some of the major programs available at this school.
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Urology
- Neurosurgery
- Primary Care
- Pathology
- Dermatology
- Research
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Anesthesiology
UCLA Medical School MD programs
Because there are several paths to earning an MD at UCLA, let’s start with a look at the programs available at the medical school:
- The typical four-year MD program, which admits roughly 118 students each year.
- The Medical Science Training Program (MSTP), a dual MD-PhD program with Caltech, accepts 15 students per year and takes eight years to complete.
- UCLA PRIME is a five-year program that takes approximately 18 students each year and is geared for those interested in roles of leadership and advocacy in medical care for underserved populations. UCLA PRIME students acquire an MD as well as a master’s degree in a related subject, most typically an MBA, MPH, or MPP.
- The UCLA/Charles R. Drew Medical Education Program is a four-year joint MD program that admits 24 students each year and focuses on community engagement and physician leadership in diverse and underserved areas. Students attend UCLA for the first two years before transferring to Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science for the final two years.
What’s the difference between the regular UCLA MD and the UCLA/Charles R. Drew MD programs?
While both programs provide an MD, there is a significant difference between them. Charles Drew University is a minority-serving institution and a Historically Black Graduate Institution that is “committed to social justice and health equity for underrepresented people.”
As a result, the UCLA/Charles R. Drew combined program seeks to graduate physicians who are committed to carrying out this objective.
Applicants are picked based on their academic achievements as well as their commitments to service.
Maintaining a genuine dedication to working in underserved communities is critical to becoming a good candidate for the UCLA/Charles R. Drew program, so keep this in mind while deciding which programs to apply to.
While all of UCLA’s MD programs are worth considering if their parameters appeal to you, the rest of this essay will focus on how to get into the solo MD program.
Why Choose UCLA Medical School?
Do you still have questions about why you should pursue a medical degree at UCLA Medical School? Well, there are a number of different reasons that I am confident will be valuable to you.
On rare cases, a university medical school will be located in the same building as the university. Most of the time, the schools are a long distance away.
However, in this case, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is located adjacent to the main campus. This feature adds functionality and proximity. That is, you can quickly connect with the university.
Furthermore, because of its proximity to the main campus, you can progress in a variety of additional ways as a medical student at UCLA.
However, choosing UCLA Medical School as a citizen or international student allows you to pursue specific degree programs such as summer academic enrichment programs.
Plus, this school provides over 120 undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degree programs to overseas students, giving you a wide range of options.
Nevertheless, if you require assistance, the school might assist you by giving grants and scholarships only if you are eligible.
These scholarships pay for your tuition, housing, and, in some cases, other expenses.
Isn’t that fantastic?
Let me burst your bubble a little! You can also enroll in UC Riverside’s Biomedical Sciences Program.
This program provides 24 students every year with the option to complete both the B.S. and M.D. degrees in seven years rather than the typical eight.
Importantly, the institution provides high-quality patient care, which necessitates a grasp of the diverse experiences of the nation’s populations.
Above everything else, attending UCLA Medical School will allow you to advance your medical profession in the most intriguing and exciting way possible.
What are the UCLA medical school admission requirements?
As previously said, the vast majority of persons who apply for admission to Geffen will be denied. Only a small percentage of the candidates are chosen to be among the 175 who are accepted.
So, what can you do to increase your chances of joining that select group?
The first thing you can do to help yourself is, of course, to get high marks. Students entering medical school have a 3.8 GPA on average. Students must receive A’s in the vast majority of their courses, particularly those in science subjects, in order to receive such a mark.
Admissions counselors, in particular, prefer to see good grades in core competency classes. A strong candidate will have a strong understanding of cellular and molecular biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and other science essentials.
They must, however, be well-versed in mathematics, including biomathematics and matrix algebra, as well as the humanities, particularly writing.
Furthermore, applicants selected into Geffen Med have high standardized test results. All students must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which assesses the medical information they gained as undergraduates.
The average MCAT score for students entering Geffen Med is 517. That translates to 129 in the chemical and physical sciences, 128 in critical analysis, 130 in biological and biochemical sciences, and 130 in psychological and social sciences.
Here are the basic UCLA medical school admission requirements;
- Bachelor’s degree record.
- MCAT Scores.
- Multiple Mini-interview with members of the Admissions Committee.
- Recommendation Letter.
- Graduate Record, where applicable.
- Life Experiences. (Research, volunteerism, etc.)
UCLA Pre-Medical Education requirements
Pre-Medical Education requirements differ according to schools. If you are applying for a pre-medical program at UCLA Medical school, you must;
- Have good English skill but in speaking and writing.
- Have quantitative thinking, represented by mastery of mathematics, science and scientific method
- Insight in human behavior thought and aspiration, through the study of society, as revealed by the social sciences and the humanities.
MD Program Graduation Requirements
If you are applying for the MD Program, here are MD Program Graduation Requirements that you must meet;
- You must maintain a satisfactory level of performance in UCLA Medical school coursework.
- Have an Annual recommendation for promotion by the Committee on Academic Standing, Progress & Promotion (CASPP).
- Must pass USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS).
- Must complete the designated four-year program of medical education.
You are expected to have the following skills after completion of the MD Program; Medical Knowledge, patient care, Professionalism.
Including practice-based learning and improvement and Interpersonal and communication skills.
Note, you will be recommended to the FEC for your degree once you complete your program successfully.
In summary, the final approval for MD graduation is made by the FEC and the Vice Dean for Education of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
What is the UCLA Undergraduate Medical School Acceptance Rate?
For citizens and international students, the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine provides over 400 undergraduate degrees.
And, before you can start as an undergraduate student, you must first complete admissions requirements, which do not guarantee admission.
Although the UCLA undergraduate medical degree acceptance rate is extremely tough, if you exhibit a high level of excellence, you have a good chance of being admitted.
According to MSAR, the following data provides greater insight into the range of GPA and MCAT scores of UCLA students:
- Total GPA: 3.56 (10th %ile) to 3.96 (90th %ile)
- Science GPA: 3.42 (10th %ile) to 4.00 (90th %ile)
- MCAT: 508 (10th %ile) to 524 (90th %ile)
Above all, the UCLA Undergraduate Medical School Acceptance Rate of 2.1% is extremely competitive.
What is the UCLA medical school out of state acceptance rate?
If you are applying as an out-of-state or international student, you should be aware of UCLA’s out-of-state acceptance rate.
Previously, out-of-state or international students had the impression that citizens of California were given preference at UCLA Medical School.
The truth is that the school does not; it is just that the majority of their applicants are from California. As a result, if you are an out-of-state student, you have a chance because UCLA is a long shot for any applicant.
Interestingly, as an out-of-state Medical student, you can also pursue a dual degree, such as an M.D./Ph.D. through the Medical Scientist Training Program, or an M.D./M.B.A. through the Medical Scientist Training Program.
There isn’t much of a difference between UCLA medical school in-state and out-of-state students (citizens and international students).
The only difference is that they usually charge a higher price, which is to be expected. Aside from that, everything else is nearly identical, including the acceptance rate.
In conclusion, the UCLA medical school’s out-of-state acceptance rate is 2%, making it extremely competitive.
What is UCLA medical School’s early decision acceptance rate?
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA currently does not provide an early decision option. Some people do not consider this when applying for admission.
Although the Early Decision program gives you a better chance of acceptance because there are more spaces available, it is strongly discouraged and will only be considered after acceptance on a case-by-case basis.
Admission is challenging at other schools that accept Early Decision programs, such as UCLA School of Law; in previous years, the percentage of approved applicants in this program has been comparable to our overall admissions rate.
If you want to apply through the EDP, the following are the standard admission requirements for Early Decision Programs:
- Make sure you only apply to one U.S. medical school before the deadline (August 1 for AMCAS-participating schools).
- If they have already made an initial or secondary application to a medical school, they should not apply through the EDP.
- Apply to no more than one school.
- You must attend the school that accepts the EDP.
- If you are not accepted through the EDP, you will be placed in the school’s standard candidate pool and will be able to apply to other institutions.
Nevertheless, because most participating institutions only admit a small percentage of their entering class through the program, only applicants with a strong likelihood of admission to a specific school should apply through this program.
What is the UCLA Medical School Acceptance Rate?
Every university in the world has an entrance or acceptance rate that it follows when enrolling students each year.
UCLA Medical School Acceptance Rate (David Geffen School of Medicine) is quite selective in general.
In 2019, the school got over 14,500 applications for only 175 available slots, with only 324 accepted. As a result, the enrollment rate is set at 2%.
In addition, the school established a new GPA criteria of 3.4 and an MCAT cutoff of 512 for applicants.
Unfortunately, the average MCAT scores for accepted students are not published by UCLA DGSOM. With an admission rate of less than 2%, you’ll most certainly need top MCAT scores to be competitive.
As a result, if you are applying to this medical school, you should strive for a GPA in math and science of at least 3.4 and an MCAT score of 512 or above.
UCLA Medical School application timeline
To apply to UCLA’s MD program, you’ll submit your application via AMCAS. Here’s a timeline you can use to plan your application:
- May 3, 2021: AMCAS application opens
- May 27, 2021: AMCAS application can be submitted
- July 2021–November 2021: Applications reviewed
- July 2021–December 2021: Interview invitations extended
- August 2021–January 2022: Interviews conducted
- October 1, 2021: AMCAS application deadline
- October 15, 2021: Offers of admission begin to be made
UCLA has rolling admissions, and their admissions process has a few unique characteristics that we’ll go over here. As always, plan to submit your complete AMCAS application as soon as possible for the best chances of acceptance.
It should be noted that UCLA screens applicants prior to sending out their secondary application. If you receive a secondary from UCLA, you must finish it within two weeks.
As previously stated, UCLA begins delivering admissions offers on October 15th and continues until the first-year class is filled. If you get an admission offer from UCLA, you must answer within two weeks.
UCLA Medical School interview
Students who advance past the secondary application stage will be invited to an interview. Though, the ucla medical school post interview acceptance rate is low as well. All interviews will be conducted virtually during the 2021–2022 application period.
While UCLA generally employs the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI Interview) method, interviews in this application cycle will be conducted one-on-one.
Because you don’t know what questions you’ll be asked, you should first practice thinking rapidly on your feet. It’s also a good idea to be familiar with the UCLA Medical School program, facilities, and mission statement, and to be able to articulate why DGSOM is the ideal medical school for you.
Furthermore, while this year’s interviews will be traditional, the MMI will most certainly continue to be significant to UCLA applicants for years to come. Consider how Dr. Theodore R. Hall, the former DGSOM Associate Dean for Admissions, outlined in 2015 how the admissions committee may use MMI responses to evaluate applicants’ emotional intelligence and other personal attributes.
(For example, the capacity to assess effect and respond properly) While you should prepare as much as possible, you don’t want to appear to be delivering a clearly scripted response. Instead, we recommend that you try to communicate spontaneously and in a friendly manner.
UCLA Medical School Ranking
Most people are familiar with UCLA’s Medical School, even if they don’t recognize it as the Geffen School of Medicine. That name recognition attests not just to the school’s popularity, but also to its caliber as a higher education institution.
Not only does the general people hold Geffen in high regard. Almost every observing outlet ranks the school in the top twenty-five in the world.
These sources commend Geffen for the high quality of its research, the scientific articles written by its faculty members, and the constant placements of its alumni.
Of the several ranking services, U.S. News & World Report is the most reputable. The magazine’s annual university rankings have become the gold standard for educational institutions around the world. The conclusions of U.S. News are trusted by all due to the site’s extensive study and numerous analytical metrics.
According to U.S. News, Geffen Med is one of the best medical schools in the country. UCLA is ranked 21st among the best research universities in the country. The school does even better on the list of primary care institutions, ranking 12th.
Geffen Med is also ranked among the top 10 in anesthesiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery by U.S. News.
While U.S. News concentrates on the United States, topuniversities.com covers the entire globe. UCLA is ranked seventh on this ranking, ahead of University College London, Yale University, and Imperial College London. The website provides the school top grades for its academic reputation, employer reputation, and faculty research citations.
UCLA Medical School Tuition and Scholarships
UCLA Medical School tuition and fees for the 2021–2022 school year are $45,306 for in-state students and $57,551 for out-of-state students.
When other fees such as accommodation and board, books, and transportation are taken into account, UCLA advertises a first-year cost of attendance of $83,182 for in-state students and $95,427 for out-of-state students.
While all these figures are clearly high, UCLA does offer need- and merit-based scholarships, such as the David Geffen Medical Scholarships, which cover the whole cost of attendance for up to 20% of new students each year.
In addition, nearly 100 more UCLA Philanthropic Scholarships are available to medical students.
How hard is it to get into UCLA Medical School?
UCLA Medical School is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 2.8 percent. Here are some UCLA Medical School admissions statistics for the 2024 class:
- Applications: 11,778
- Matriculants: 175
While UCLA hasn’t released the average GPA or MCAT score for its most recent incoming class, considering the school’s low acceptance rate, it’s safe to assume that most successful applicants will be academically remarkable.
UCLA’s academic level can be gauged by the fact that they stated in 2019 that they would boost their GPA and MCAT cutoff scores to 3.4 and 512, respectively. This declaration sparked debate, and it appears that the cutoffs were never officially implemented. Having said that, we can anticipate that the average accepted student will have stats much beyond these figures.
UCLA Medical School Notable Alumni
UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine, as one of the nation’s most prestigious medical institutions, has been affiliated with a slew of notable personalities.
The great faculty members who taught at Geffen are at the top of the list. Geffen students have learnt from a Nobel winner, brilliant researchers, and medical leaders.
Alcino J. Silva, a neuroscientist who won the Order of Prince Henry in 2008 for his work on the molecular cellular cognition of memory, is currently on the faculty.
Dr. Joshua Prager has served as the president of the North American Neuromodulation Society and the director at large of the International Neuromodulation Society in addition to teaching and working at Geffen Med.
The main draw, though, is UCLA’s medical school’s renowned graduates.
Eun-Sil Shelley Hwang, a 1991 graduate, is the first female Chief of Breast Surgery at Duke Cancer Institute, where she is also the Mary and Deryl Hart Professor of Surgery.
Her research on the differences in breast cancer care between white and African American women won her a spot on TIME’s 2016 list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh went on to become the founder and president of the Facial Paralysis & Bells Palsy Foundation after graduating from Geffen. The FPBPF is a non-profit organization that helps people with facial nerve paralysis and Bell’s palsy. The FPBPF has assisted patients all around the world under Dr. Azizzadeh’s supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions About UCLA Medical School Acceptance Rate
What are the prohghrams that UCLA Medical School offers?
Below are some notable programs offered at UCLA Medical School
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Urology
Neurosurgery
Primary Care
Pathology
Dermatology
Research
Psychiatry
Neurology
Anesthesiology
What is UCLA Medical School MCAT Score?
UCLA Medical School MCAT Score is 512.
What is UCLA Medical School GPA cut-off Mark?
UCLA Medical School cut-off Mark new GPA cutoff of 3.4
What is UCLA Medical School tuition like?
UCLA Medical School tuition and fees run $42,266. Now, if you consider other expenses such as room and board, books, and transportation, UCLA advertises their cost of attendance as $76,136 per year.
Conclusion
When compared to other top level universities, the UCLA Medical School acceptance rate is quite competitive.
It will take a lot of effort to be selected. Potential students must not only have exceptional grades and MCAT scores, but they must also have a strong application package that includes excellent letters of recommendation and impressive application letter.
And once you’ve been picked and accepted into Geffen, the real work begins.
This should not deter you from applying because it is one of the best medical schools in the world and provides excellent education.
You have a better chance of getting in if you have outstanding academic credentials, which is what the institution looks for.
Though UCLA’s admissions numbers seem intimidating, following the suggestions in this article will offer you with a road map to success.
So, if you truly want to be enrolled, you must take that daring move now or never.
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