Applying to Medical School

Submitting medical school applications occurs in June - one year before you want to start the program. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead! Before applying, applicants will need to take the MCAT and gather all of the information below before submitting.

Admissions Data

For school-specific admissions numbers, see UCSD Students - Medical School Admission Data  (must use @ucsd.edu email to access)

Take the MCAT

Prepare and Practice
Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Prepare Your Personal Essay & Letters

Allopathic Medicine:
- Why medicine? What experiences have you had that are compelling you to pursue medicine?
- Medical schools may also evaluate "distance traveled"
- What obstacles have you overcome?
- How have you demonstrated resiliency?
- 5300 character limit
Osteopathic Medicine:
- What is motivating you to pursue osteopathic medicine?
- Be sure to understand the philosophy of a DO
- 5300 character limit
Podiatric Medicine:
- Personal statements should be a general statement indicating the student's development for a career in the podiatric medical profession, not directed at a specific school
- Collect Letters of Evaluation
AMCAS letters of evaluation: FAQ
Letters of recommendation (resource from Undergraduate Research Hub)

Note: UC San Diego does not currently have a health professions committee, so we don't provide committee letters, composite letters, or letter packets. Applicants will need to get individual letters. Some medical schools may require a committee letter, but this only applies to applicants that attended a university which has a committee.

Financial Aid Assistance

Select Schools & Programs

Use the links below to identify programs with the curriculum, clinical training options, and student services that match your needs. Consider your likelihood of admission and cost.

Find Allopathic (MD), Osteopathic (DO), and Podiatric (DPM) medical schools
If interested in research, identify MD/PhD programs and Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP)

How to Submit and Apply

Carefully prepare and submit your applications.

Primary Applications - centralized services that compile and standardize your information
- AMCAS for allopathic programs; review the AMCAS Applicant Guide; TMDAS for Texas schools
- AACOMAS for osteopathic programs
- AACPMAS for podiatric programs
Work & Activities Section
Secondary Applications  - school-specific supplemental information including additional essays
Apply directly on the school's websites for international medical schools

Interviewing

Princeton Review's 50 Common Medical School Interview Questions or McGill's Practice MMI
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Tips
Medical School Interview Resources