UCLA Medical School Admissions Guide 2025: Requirements, Tips & How to Stand Out

Why UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine Stands Out

Ranked among the top medical schools in the United States, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is known for its academic rigor, innovative research, and strong commitment to serving underserved communities. But with an acceptance rate hovering around 2.4%, it's also one of the most selective medical schools in the nation.

If you're dreaming of studying at UCLA, preparation is everything. This guide walks you through their unique programs, admission requirements, essay strategies, and how global health experiences—like those offered through Go Elective—can help strengthen your application.

Academic Programs at UCLA Med School

UCLA offers multiple MD pathways to serve students with different interests and career goals. Here's a look at their top programs:

MD Program

The traditional four-year MD curriculum at UCLA is structured in three phases:

Phase 1: Foundational coursework in Human Biology and Disease
Phase 2: Clinical clerkships in key areas like surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, and internal medicine
Phase 3: Specialized colleges, where students choose academic tracks such as Primary Care, Acute Care, or Urban Underserved Medicine

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

UCLA partners with Caltech for this highly competitive MD/PhD dual-degree program. Students spend two years in med school, four years in PhD research, and return for two final years of medical training. This program is ideal for future physician-scientists.

UCLA PRIME-LA

This five-year dual-degree program focuses on preparing students to work with underserved populations in California. It includes additional coursework in leadership, policy, and public health, as well as clinical rotations in community health settings.

UCLA/Charles R. Drew Medical Education Program

This program is designed for students committed to addressing health disparities among disadvantaged and minority populations. It mirrors the MD program but emphasizes community-based care in underserved settings.

Cost of Attendance and Scholarships

Attending UCLA Medical School costs approximately $78,000 per year, including tuition, housing, textbooks, and other fees. Tuition alone is around $43,726 annually.

While the cost may be daunting, UCLA offers over 100 scholarships based on financial need and academic merit. Don’t let tuition prevent you from applying—financial support is widely available for deserving students.

What It Takes to Get Into UCLA Medical School

UCLA receives nearly 14,000 applications annually but admits just 175 students across all programs. Here’s what you’ll need to be a competitive applicant:

Recommended Academic Credentials

GPA: 3.4 minimum, but competitive applicants have a 3.8+
MCAT Score: 512 minimum, with top admits often scoring 517+
Coursework:

Cellular and Molecular Biology
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Physiology and Anatomy
Math, Statistics, and Computer Science
Humanities and Social Sciences

UCLA also highly values prior clinical experience, research, cultural awareness, and a demonstrated commitment to community health.

✅ Want to enhance your profile? Consider a global health internships abroad through Go Elective. You'll shadow physicians, participate in outreach programs, and gain immersive exposure that admissions committees love to see.

Application Timeline and Strategy

UCLA participates in the AMCAS system, with a rolling admissions model. That means the earlier you apply, the better your chances.

AMCAS application opens: June
Primary application deadline: October 15
Secondary application recommended deadline: Within 2 weeks of receiving it
Final secondary application deadline: October 30

Plan ahead and stick to these deadlines. Submitting early maximizes your chance of being interviewed.

Breaking Down UCLA’s Secondary Essay Prompts (with Tips)

UCLA’s secondary application includes a series of short essays. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to approach them:

A Non-Academic Experience That Shaped You (800 characters)

Focus on personal growth or insight—something that reveals values like discipline, empathy, or leadership. Avoid academic or medical topics here.

A Time You Took Initiative or Led a Team (800 characters)

Choose a situation where your leadership or entrepreneurial mindset made a tangible impact. This can be from school, work, or community settings.

A Meaningful Volunteer Experience (800 characters)

Describe an experience that left a lasting impression on you. Volunteering abroad, such as through Go Elective’s health education programs, is a great example to showcase global awareness and compassion.

Education Gaps (300 characters)

If you took a gap year or had a break in your education, briefly explain what you did and how it helped you grow.

Most Important Honor Received (300 characters)

Keep it focused and highlight why the honor mattered to you personally or professionally.

Scholarly Project (300 characters)

Mention any research, including details of your role, mentors, and outcomes—especially if it was published or presented.

Personal Adversity (500 characters)

Pick an honest challenge that shaped your perspective or strengthened your resilience. Don’t just share the problem—focus on how you overcame it.

Employment History (4000 characters per job)

List all work experiences, regardless of whether they were related to medicine. UCLA values work ethic, commitment, and real-world responsibilities.

Major Difficulties That Affected Your Med School Prep (500 characters)

If applicable, use this space to explain financial, personal, or academic hardships that impacted your path. Be candid but constructive.

Career Goals and Motivation (500 characters)

Share your intended specialty (if known) or interests in patient care, research, or advocacy. Explain how UCLA supports those goals.

COVID-19 Impact (500 characters)

Focus on objective challenges—MCAT delays, canceled clinical experiences, financial difficulties—not minor inconveniences.

Interview Process at UCLA

UCLA uses a two-part interview format:

AAMC VITA Interview (Virtual)
Live Interview (Virtual or In-Person)

Post-pandemic, UCLA may resume Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), which include a series of short, scenario-based interviews.

Prepare by practicing common interview questions and reviewing UCLA’s mission and curriculum. Use examples from your clinical experience or global internships to highlight empathy, adaptability, and problem-solving.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Application Stand Out

UCLA Medical School is one of the most competitive institutions in the country. But with the right preparation, strong academics, and impactful life experiences, your dream is within reach.

Global exposure, especially through programs like Go Elective’s internships in East Africa, can set your application apart. You’ll gain firsthand clinical insight, build cultural competence, and return with compelling stories to share in your interviews and personal statement.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Explore Go Elective’s healthcare internships abroad, where you’ll shadow seasoned physicians, participate in public health outreach, and build the kind of experience UCLA and other top med schools value.

Apply today to join a future cohort and start preparing for your medical school journey.