Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions

Thank you for your interest in applying to and attending the UC San Diego School of Medicine. Below are answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Application Cycle

If you are a prospective student and would like to submit an application:

Please start at our Application Process page and follow the step-by-step guidelines for applying.

If you have submitted your application:

You will receive an email that your application is under review or to submit a secondary application.
Please note that it can take anywhere from 1 week to 4 months for updates.

1 week: application receipt
1 week to 4 months (on a rolling basis): Secondary application and interview process.

If you have submitted your Secondary Application and are waiting to hear back about an interview:

As noted, depending on the time of year, it may take anywhere from 1 week to 4 months for your file to be reviewed. After the file has been reviewed, you will be notified of one of three possible decisions:

Invited to interview at the UC San Diego School of Medicine
Placed "on hold" for an interview, with a possibility of being invited at a later date. Throughout the application season, candidates that were originally placed "on hold" may be invited to interview at UC San Diego. Interview scheduling typically runs through the end of February each year.
Not invited to interview. Applicants not invited to interview will be notified via email that they are no longer under consideration. This notification can occur at any time in the application cycle.

If you have been interviewed and are on our waitlist:

We are unable to give any information about your chances of ultimately being accepted.

You do not need to take any action to "hold" your spot on the waitlist - your application will remain under consideration until/unless you explicitly inform us that you wish to withdraw your application.

We anticipate making offers to some applicants on the waiting list, though these offers will likely not be made until May 2025. Please note that not all applicants on the waiting list will be offered an acceptance.

We do not accept updates. If you are an applicant on the waitlist, we will request updates or letters of intent in the spring.

If you are an accepted applicant:

You will receive an email from our admissions office about the next steps.

Application Status

Where can I check my application status?

If you have not yet heard about the status of your application (e.g. you’ve submitted your AMCAS application and are wondering about being invited to submit a secondary application, or you’ve submitted a secondary application and are wondering about an interview invitation), it means your file is still under review.

The process takes time as we want to make sure we give each file a thorough review. The review for secondary applications in our queue can take up to 4 months during our busiest times. Unfortunately, we do not have a date for your admission decision. In the meantime, keep checking your application status through applymed.ucsd.edu and be on the look-out for any communications from UC San Diego School of Medicine.

We appreciate your patience as we’ve had a record number of applications this year.

Special Programs

I am interested in applying for PRIME-Health Equity, the Global Health Academic Concentration or PRIME-Transforming Indigenous Doctor Education. Where can I express interest in my application?

You will have the opportunity to express interest during the secondary application process.

I am interested in the M.D./Ph.D. (Medical Scientist Training Program) option, where can I express interest?

The AMCAS application has the M.D./Ph.D. option. There is no special essay on the secondary application.

How can I apply to the Tan Family Scholar Program?

The Tan Family Scholar Program is new to our school and the details are currently in the works. You can express interest in the program during the secondary application process.

If you are admitted, you can decide if you want to join the program once you are presented with detailed information later in the application cycle.

Application Feedback

Do you offer updates or application feedback for rejected applications?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on your application. Our staff and admissions committee members are necessarily focused on the evaluation and interview process. In addition, we want to maintain a system of evaluation in which an applicant’s accomplishments are self-generated and inherent to them, as opposed to being reactive to the process of applying to medical school itself.

Canadian/Foreign Schools

I’ve studied in Canada, May I apply?

The UC San Diego School of Medicine will consider applications from U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S. (green card holders), and DACA recipients. Applicants that do not satisfy one of these three eligibility requirements will not be considered.

If you attended Canadian colleges/universities AND meet the citizenship requirement, you are eligible to apply without completing one year of accredited coursework in the US.

For more information, please see our Application Process page.

I’ve studied at another foreign school (not Canada), May I apply?

Students who have attended a foreign school must have completed at least one year of study at an accredited four-year college in the United States prior to applying.

Please note that you would still need to complete the citizenship requirement of either being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the U.S. (green card holder), or DACA recipient.

If I must complete at least one year of study at an accredited four-year college in the United States prior to applying, what are the parameters?

We will consider three regular courses (NOT 1-unit labs) per term for a year at an accredited four-year college in the United States.

In addition, it would be best to complete the requirement as soon as possible to demonstrate your time management skills.