Medical Degree Program Admissions Information for Incoming Students Curriculum Electives Student Experience Student Support Admissions Our goal is to select a well-balanced, diverse class to which each student will contribute their talents and experiences to the UCI community, and eventually their patients. Home Education Medical Education Medical Degree Program Admissions Annual Admissions The UCI School of Medicine receives more than 6,500 applications for 114 positions in the first-year class. We are often asked how we select the incoming class from such a large applicant pool. There is no formula used. Each applicant is unique. Our Admissions Committee carefully reviews all applicants whose academic record and MCAT scores indicate that they will be able to handle the rigorous medical school curriculum. In addition to scholastic achievement, applicants are evaluated on their extent and level of research involvement, exposure and involvement in a healthcare setting, and community service. Dedication, reliability, altruism, and leadership as well as interpersonal communication skills are attributes that are given high regard when considering applicants for a position in the class. Careful consideration is given to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds and those that have demonstrated the potential to work with the medically under-served, in particular the Latino population in California. Application Criteria Information provided by the AMCAS application is used for preliminary screening to select which applicants will receive a secondary application. Once notified, these applicants are asked to submit additional materials, including letters of recommendation, supplemental information forms and a nonrefundable application fee of $120 within 30 days of notification. In addition to demonstrating scholastic achievement and a solid academic foundation, prospective students should also have leadership experience and have participated in work or extracurricular activities that demonstrate a desire or sensitivity to working with people from diverse communities. Clinical exposure and research experience, as well as community service, also are highly desirable. Careful consideration is given to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds (i.e., disadvantaged through social and/or economic conditions). Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be permanent residents in possession of a green card, or be approved through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The medical school also participates in the WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program for applicants from certain western states that do not have medical schools. We do not accept transfer students. Letters of recommendation Should you receive a secondary application, a minimum of three to six letters of recommendations are strongly advised. All letters should be submitted through AMCAS, not to the admissions office. Letters of recommendation are an integral part of an applicant’s file and should corroborate the main activities an applicant has been engaged in. The Admissions Committee relies on these letters to get a view of the applicant as seen by others. The letters are used to gain insight into an applicant’s personal qualities and the applicant’s involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities, research and clinical exposure. It is suggested that two letters be submitted by senior professors that can evaluate an applicant’s academic ability. Keep in mind, letters should be submitted from individuals that can address the quality and extent of involvement that an applicant had in the activities they feel were most meaningful to them. Interviews Upon further review by the Admissions Committee, about 500 to 600 applicants who receive a secondary application will be interviewed. Applicants are interviewed by both faculty and current medical students. To further enhance our holistic review process, we are requiring applicants to complete a Kira Talent Video Assessment administered to assess six of the core competencies that our admissions committee believe are essential for success at our medical school. The Kira Talent Assessment Tool is completed asynchronously before the scheduled interview day. The scheduling of interviews take place online for specified dates between September and April, with about 40 applicants interviewed per session. Requirements To be considered for admission into the UCI School of Medicine, applicants must meet the following requirements: American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application All applicants must complete the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application between June 1-Nov. 1, of the application year for the following year’s entering class. Minimum of 90 semester units A minimum of three years (90 semester units) of undergraduate coursework, including a minimum of one full-time year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must receive a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a U.S. accredited college or university by the time of matriculation. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must have been taken within the three years preceding June 1 of the application year and no later than Sept. 30 of the application year. Letter or numerical grades preferred For purposes of evaluation, letter or numerical grades are preferred for course work, particularly for the required subjects listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have completed their basic science requirements by the time they submit their application. No specific major is required, however, demonstrated ability in the sciences is of great importance. Prerequisite courses listed as "in progress" All prerequisite courses listed as "in progress" on the AMCAS application and UCI School of Medicine Secondary Application must be successfully completed by July 15 of the matriculation year. Letters of recommendation Three to six current letters are suggested. Applicants are advised to obtain letters of recommendation from individuals (e.g., attending MD, PI, Director, etc.) involved with their major activities. Meet all of the technical standards All entering students in the UCI School of Medicine must meet all of the technical standards, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, and each student will be expected to certify that he/she meets these standards. Admissions Prerequisites Prerequisite coursework must be completed by July 15th of the matriculation year. If you are unsure if a course satisfies a prerequisite, please email the course name, number, description, and institution to medadmit@uci.edu. Biology: 2 semesters/3 quarters, must include one upper-division course (we do not accept psychobiology, behavioral-based courses, or AP credit) Chemistry: 4 semesters/6 quarters(general/inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry; AP score of 3 or greater is accepted) Physics: 2 semesters/3 quarters; AP score of 3 or greater is accepted Humanities: 1 semester/1 quarter (e.g. Literature, History, Philosophy, Language, Art; AP score of 3 or greater is accepted) Advanced Placement credit will be accepted for chemistry, physics, and humanities requirements. The AP credit must be reflected on the applicant’s undergraduate transcript. Alternatively we will accept AP exam scores of >3 and will require an official transcript from the College Board (https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home). Recommended Coursework The following courses are recommended, but not required: Anatomy Biostatistics Biology/Chemistry Laboratory experience Cell Biology Calculus English Composition Immunology Microbiology Neuroscience Psychology Spanish Visiting Students application process U.S. and Students — Extramural elective application process After May, due to the high volume of requests, the extramural application process is done through the Association of American Medical College's Visiting Student Application Service®, or VSAS®. To begin the application process, please review our elective courses and determine which course you are interested in taking. To tentatively schedule an elective, go to the VSAS site. Applications will not be accepted before May. View more information for U.S. and extramural applicants › International Students — Extramural elective application process UC Irvine accepts international students only from schools with which we have an exchange agreement. They are: Japan: Jichi Medical University Extramural applications for the current academic year will be accepted May through Februrary, for rotations starting in June of that same academic year. Please do not contact the office prior to May as we will be occupied with scheduling UC Irvine students for the next academic year. How to apply The UCI School of Medicine has a rolling acceptance with the first acceptances issued by Nov. 1. Waitlist decisions are made in the spring through the summer. For more information or if you have questions, please email us at medadmit@uci.edu. Example Timeline for Admissions May: AMCAS applications available. July: First secondary application invitations sent. Secondary applications are due 30 days after invitation. August - March: Interview invitations are sent. August - April: Interviews are held. September: Last date to take MCAT to be considered for the current admissions cycle (MCATs considered for this cycle are within three years preceding June 1 of the application year and no later than September 30 of the application year.) October - May: Admissions decisions are communicated. Decisions are communicated approximately 2 months after interview. October 1: Applicants may begin submitting FAFSA. November 1: Deadline to submit primary AMCAS Application to the UCI School of Medicine. November 15: Deadline to submit transcripts to AMCAS for verification to the UCI School of Medicine December 1: Last date that secondary applications are accepted for regular admission cycle. Secondary applications are due 30 days after invitations are sent. February 19: “Plan to enroll” becomes available through AAMC. March - August: For eligible students, scholarship offers are made. April 15: Students should narrow acceptances to three schools; you may remain on unlimited alternate lists. April 30: “Commit to enroll” becomes available through AAMC. Commit to enroll indicates final selection and plan to withdraw all other applications. April - August: Waitlisted applicants may receive admissions offers. July 1: "Commit to enroll" deadline for UCI School of Medicine. August: Medical school orientation begins the first week of August. Step 1: AMCAS application The UCI School of Medicine is a member of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and requires all applicants to complete the following steps to apply: Step 1: Complete the AMCAS applicationAll applicants must complete the AMCAS application to be considered for admission. (Application available between June 1-November 1 of the year preceding anticipated matriculation.) Step 2: MCAT scores Step 2: Submit your MCAT scoresThe Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for all applicants. The MCAT exam must have been taken within three years proceeding June 1 of the application year and no later than Sept. 1 of the application year. Once the AMCAS application is complete, selected applicants will be invited to complete a secondary application. Step 3: Secondary Application and Letters of Recommendation Step 3: Submit your Secondary Application and Letters of Recommendation Should you receive an invitation to complete a secondary application, a minimum of three to six letters of recommendations are strongly advised. All letters must be submitted through AMCAS. Applicants will have 30 days from the date of the invitation to complete their secondary. The fee for the secondary application is $120. If applicants qualified for the AMCAS fee waiver, they will also qualify for a fee waiver for the UCI School of Medicine secondary application. ** AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) waiver must be applied before submitting your secondary application. Refunds will not be available if a payment is submitted before a waiver is applied. Interviews Approximately eight percent to 10 percent of the total applicant pool will be invited to interview. Interviews are scheduled online and take place from September through April. The interview day will consist of a short orientation, student panel, financial aid information and tours. Applicants will interview with both a faculty member and student. In addition, there will be filmed structured interview session. Special programs, such as MSTP, PRIME-LC and PRIME-LEAD-ABC, will have additional interviews. Tuition & Fees General UCI Tuition & Fees as of 2/15/2021 California Resident: $ 41,799.15 Non-Resident:$ 54,044.15 The tuition, fees, and charges posted to your billing statement or account are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by increases or reductions in State funding, or other developments. Visit the university registrar website for current fees http://www.reg.uci.edu/fees/2020-2021/. View current UCI Medical tuition & fees Frequently Asked Questions Here are answers to questions we are most often asked. How do I apply to UCI School of Medicine? The School of Medicine is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). To be considered, applicants must submit their application online through the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS). Can you send me an application? The School of Medicine does not have its own application. We belong to the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) and all applications are received through this service. What is the AMCAS application deadline? The application period opens June 1 and closes Nov. 1 of the year before you intend to enter medical school. How does the AMCAS know I want to apply to UCI's School of Medicine? When submitting your AMCAS application, select the University of California, Irvine, among the schools you want to receive your application. Do all applicants receive secondary applications? No. About 3,500 applicants receive a secondary application after a preliminary review by our admissions committee. Applicants are notified by email that they have been granted a secondary application. Although applicants are also notified by e-mail when they are invited to submit a secondary application, on occasion emails are missed. How much is the fee for a secondary application? The secondary application fee is $120. The fee should be paid online, via the secondary application. The secondary application fee is waived for applicants who have been granted the AMCAS fee waiver. What is the deadline for the secondary application process? Applicants have one month from the date of the invitation email to complete the secondary application. How do I submit letters of recommendation? UCI participates in the AMCAS Letter Service. The UCI School of Medicine will not accept letters of recommendation sent directly to the school. Our admissions committee reviews letters of recommendation only from applicants who received a secondary application. How many letters of recommendation do you require? Three to six current letters are suggested. Applicants are advised to obtain letters of recommendation from individuals (e.g., attending MD, PI, Director, etc.) involved with their major activities. What are the earliest and latest MCAT test dates accepted for applications? The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must have been taken within the three years preceding June 1 of the application year and no later than September 30 of the application year. Does the School of Medicine accept transfer students? The UCI School of Medicine does not accept transfer students. The only exception to this policy would be due to rare and extenuating circumstances where an LCME-accredited medical school must find placement for a student due to an extreme situation, such as a natural disaster. For the transfer policy and procedures please refer to Transfer Policy and Procedures. Do I have to be a science major to apply to the UCI School of Medicine? No. We seek candidates from a variety of majors, backgrounds and experiences. We do select candidates who show mastery in the sciences and have met the prerequisites. As long as you can demonstrate those criteria, you can apply with any major. Do I need to have all of my prerequisites completed prior to applying to the UCI School of Medicine? No. However, all prerequisites must be completed and recorded on official transcripts by July 15 of the matriculation year. Does the UCI School of Medicine accept AP credit? Yes. We accept AP credit for chemistry and physics. The AP credit and subject must appear on your college or university official transcript. If it does not and you are selected to be interviewed, you will need to submit your AP exam score from the College Board and you must have obtained a score > 3. Does the UCI School of Medicine accept online coursework from regionally accredited colleges and universities to fulfill prerequisites? In some cases, the UCI School of Medicine does accept online courses for prerequisites. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach at medadmit@uci.edu with specific questions. How will I know whether I have been invited to interview? Applicants invited to interview will receive an email inviting them to select an interview date. This information will also appear on their applicant portal. When should I send official transcripts to the UCI School of Medicine? Transcripts are requested upon acceptance. Does your school conduct a criminal background check on applicants? Yes. All applicants who are accepted to the UCI School of Medicine as well as selected alternates receive background checks. UCI School of Medicine participates in the AAMC Background Check Service. As a result, ALL offers of acceptance are CONDITIONAL until our admissions committee has received and reviewed the background check report for each accepted applicant. For more information, please visit AAMC Criminal Background Service. Does UCI accept community college coursework towards prerequisite requirements? We will accept coursework taken at an accredited U.S. community college to fulfill prerequisite requirements; however, the upper-division Biology requirement must be taken at an accredited four-year institution at the undergraduate level. Please reference our Admissions Requirement page for the full list of course prerequisites. What type of degree is required to apply to UCI's School of Medicine? Applicants must have received an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation. Does the School of Medicine give preference to California residents? No. The admissions committee uses the same criteria to evaluate applicants whether they are in-state or out-of-state residents. Preference is given to applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents with a green card or who are approved under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). As a Californian attending school out of state, can I apply to the UCI School of Medicine as a state resident? In most cases, yes. Applicants who leave the state for educational purposes may still be considered California residents. However, only the UCI Registrar can make a final decision about an applicant’s residency. If you have specific questions or concerns about state residency, it is best to contact the UCI Registrar’s Office. How do I apply to the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC)? If you receive a secondary application, you can complete the PRIME-LC application. Note: To be considered for acceptance into PRIME-LC, you must first be accepted into the School of Medicine. How do I apply for the MD/PhD (MSTP) program? The AMCAS application allows you to indicate whether you want to be considered for the UCI School of Medicine MD/PhD program. If you do wish to be considered, there are additional items you will need to complete on the AMCAS application. There is no separate UCI School of Medicine application for the MD/PhD program. Can I get an MD/MBA at UCI School of Medicine? Yes. UCI medical students can obtain an MD/MBA. This is a five-year program that medical students apply for in their second year and begin the MBA portion of their education between their third and fourth years in medical school. The UCI Paul Merage School of Business allows for candidates who have completed three years of medical school training in good standing and passage of USMLE Step 1 as a waiver for the GMAT. What if my contact information changes? It is very important that you report all changes in your contact information to AMCAS as well as to the individual medical schools to which you are applying. In addition, please forward all changes to medadmit@uci.edu. Does the School of Medicine accept applications with DACA status? UCI School of Medicine accepts students who are approved under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Applicants will need to provide documentation of their DACA status when submitting their secondary application. What if the question I have is not answered here? If you have a question that is not answered here, please email medadmit@uci.edu. Contact us If you have admissions questions, please contact us. Office of Admissions 949-824-5388 Postbaccalaureate Program Admissions 949-824-5388 Medical Science Training Program (MSTP) 949-824-5264 Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) 949-824-7136 Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black and Caribbean (LEAD-ABC) 949-824-4614 Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM) 714-456-7863 Office of Financial Aid 949-824-6476 949-824-1014 (fax)