Eligibility Criteria for First-Time Applicants

(Definition of First-Time Applicant:  An applicant is considered by the AAMC to be applying  for the first time if s/he has not applied to medical school in the previous nine years.)

• Must be educationally or economically disadvantaged or be from an underserved community
• Conferred baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university
•  Legal California resident
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status (documentation required)
• Minimum science, non-science, and cumulative GPA of 2.70 from an accredited  U.S. college or university
• Demonstrated experience and interest in providing health care in medically-underserved communities
• First-Time applicants are required to have completed the following courses with a grade of "C" or better the equivalent of :
  • 2 semesters or 3 quarters, general biology with lab
  • 2 semesters or 3 quarters, general chemistry with lab
  • 2 semesters or 3 quarters organic chemistry with lab
  • 2 semesters or 3 quarters, physics with lab
  • 2 semesters or 3 quarters, math (calculus, statistics, computer science or a combination of the three)
  • 1 semester or 2 quarters, upper division biology (e.g., metabolic or structural biochemistry)
  • First Time Applicants are not required to submit MCAT scores
    
  Note:  There is some flexibility  for students who have not completed one or two of the required courses listed above.

Eligibility Criteria for Reapplicants

• Must be educationally or economically disadvantaged or be from an underserved community
• Conferred baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university 
• Legal California resident
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status (documentation required)
• Applied to medical school and/or rejected after secondary screen or interview process
• Minimum AMCAS science, non-science, and cumulative GPA of 2.70
• Minimum MCAT score of 6 on each subtest
• May not have applied to medical school more than two times
• Demonstrated experience and interest in providing health care in medically-underserved communities

The Application Process

 

Postbaccalaureate Program Application 2009-2010: (Submit online at http://meded-postbac.ucsd.edu).

Please read carefully and complete each question fully.

In addition to the online application and materials requested by the California Postbaccalaureate Consortium,  the following documents are required of  "Accepted Applicants"  prior to matriculation into the UCSD Postbaccalaureate Program:

• A copy of your 2008 Federal and State Income Tax returns. If you are a dependent, you must submit your parents' current tax returns
• A recent 2 x 2 photograph
  
• Xerox copy of your health insurance card (if available)
  

• Our mailing address is provided below.
  
• UCSD School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program
• Office of Student Outreach Services
  
• Medical Education Building, (Mail Code: 0655)
  
• 301 University Center, Room 106
  
• 9500 Gilman Drive
• La Jolla, CA 92093
  
• Application Deadline:  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all application materials are received  by The California Endowment Postbaccalaureate Program Consortium on or before the following deadlines:
  
• First Time Applicants:    April 10, 2009
  
• Reapplicants:                May   01, 2009  (Priority Deadline)
  
•                                       May    , 2009     (Final Deadline)
  

First-Time Applicants and Reapplicants Postbaccalaureate Program Interviews

Following a thorough review of  completed applications, the Selection Committee interviews highly qualified candidates and evaluates based on the following criteria: 

• Demographics (family background and socio-cultural/economic information)
• Education (academic credentials and college life experiences)
  
• Extracurricular activities (including employment history, basic science or community-based research, participation in clinical and community outreach activities)
• Depth of knowledge of  minority health issues and healthcare disparities
  
• Personal characteristics/Motivation for medicine
• Interpersonal  (social) skills
  
• Evidence of ability to work independently and in a team environment
  

Format for Interviews

Selected candidates are granted a one-hour interview with  one or more members of our Selection Committee.   In-person interviews are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Telephone interviews are conducted for applicants who live in Northern California and for California residents attending out-of-state institutions.

Interview evaluation scores range from 1 (low) to 5 (high).  Candidates with an assigned score of 5 in each category are offered an acceptance to the program.  Candidates with lower scores are placed on the alternate list.  Alternate positions  (scores of 4 or 3) are ranked.  Since we have a rolling admissions policy, acceptances are offered to candidates as positions become available.

Interview Dates:   Interviews will begin March 9  through  May 23, 2009.   Candidates who are granted an interview will be notified by email or telephone.

Notification of Final Acceptances: no later than June 1, 2009

Candidates are notified of their acceptance to the program via e-mail followed by a formal letter of acceptance. Efforts are made to maintain intercultural and gender diversity.

Partial funding provided by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Professions Diversity