Medical Schools in San Diego, CA with Degree Program Descriptions
Show Me Schools
San Diego Medical School Programs
Individuals interested in pursuing a medical degree in San Diego can take advantage of nationally ranked medical programs offered through a university that’s only about 20 minutes from the center of the city. This article focuses on the program formats and coursework at the school; it also includes a table of stats about the institution.
- The University of California – San Diego (UCSD), located around 16 miles from the city’s downtown area, offers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program as well as a number of related graduate programs. Students can choose from master’s degrees in healthcare leadership and clinical research as well as a joint MD-PhD program for aspiring medical scientists. A doctoral program in public health is also available at the school.
School Statistics
The table below has info on student enrollment and tuition rates to help you make an informed education decision.
| University of California – San Diego | |
|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2017) | 35,772* |
| Campus Setting | Large city |
| Total Medical School Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) | $166,149 (Four-Year School of Medicine Program)** $35,000 (MAS Program)** |
Source: *NCES College Navigator, **University of California – San Diego
University of California – San Diego
In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of California – San Diego #41 among top national universities. UCSD’s medical school was ranked #17 for primary care and #22 for research. The medical school has a faculty of more than 1,500 educators.
Doctor of Medicine
MD training at UCSD is through a traditional 4-year program that provides a strong foundation in human health and disease with the skills necessary for clinical practice. A total of 84 incoming students each year are divided equally into 6 academic communities led by a faculty director; each group is provided with counseling, support, and mentoring by various faculty members. The first 2 years of the curriculum include case-based learning modules and case reviews, as well as courses focused on human organ systems.
The third year concentrates on core clinical clerkships that range from 4-12 weeks in length. Clerkships include the study of medicine, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and reproductive health. The final year requires 9 months of clerkships and clinical electives, as well as an Independent Study Project (ISP). Over the course of 4 years, students must also complete a total of 135 hours dedicated to elective work.
Master of Advanced Studies in the Leadership of Healthcare Organizations (MAS)
The MAS degree program requires 42 quarter units of coursework that can be completed in a year of intensive study, although students can choose to complete the program within 2 or 3 years if necessary. This program focuses on management and leadership skills in combination with healthcare and clinical processes. Core courses include financial accounting, management, healthcare leadership, and modern healthcare issues.
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
The MSTP program is a joint MD and PhD program designed for students who want to become physician scientists. The curriculum offers students medical training with a strong background in research. There are 3 laboratory rotations required, and participants must choose a graduate program as a concentration, such as bioengineering, neuroscience, anthropology, or physics. Participants are also encouraged to work with UCSD’s Student-Run Free Medical Clinic to gain hands-on experience treating patients. Each student’s program is specialized, but most students complete this dual-degree program within 8 years. MSTP students receive full tuition support, a stipend and health insurance, but only 8-10 students begin the program per year.
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health – Epidemiology
The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at UCSD’s medical school and San Diego State University’s Graduate School of Public Health offer a joint PhD program in public health with a concentration in epidemiology. Candidates take courses in disease and behavioral epidemiology, statistics, and methodology, and they conduct research at both universities. Specializations available include the study of infectious and chronic diseases, behavioral epidemiology, community trials, and exercise science. A Master of Public Health program is also available.Next: View SchoolsLink to this page
Medical Residency Programs Guide
1. Online DegreesOnline Business Degrees for Aspiring Medical ProfessionalsOnline Continuing Education for Physicians: Distance Learning OptionsOnline Postgraduate Medical Courses and Classes2. Salaries and OutlookAnimal Doctor Salary: How Much Do Animal Doctors Earn?Salary and Employment Info for a Sports Medicine Doctor3. Career InformationHow to Become a Mental Health Clinician: Step-by-Step Career GuideCareer Info for a Degree in Medical & Health Professions4. Program InfoPhysician Courses and Classes OverviewCareer Information for a Completion of a Medical Residency ProgramMedical Residency: Overview of Medical Residency ProgramsList of Medical Master’s Programs: Overviews by Specialization5. JobsMedical Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree: Employment OptionsMedical Physiology Jobs: Career Options and RequirementsMedical Communications Careers: Job Options and Requirements6. Top SchoolsList of Top Schools for PediatriciansBest Colleges for Surgeons: List of Top Medical Schools
California Colleges
- Alameda, CA Schools
- Alhambra, CA Schools
- Anaheim, CA Schools
- Antioch, CA Schools
- Bakersfield, CA Schools
- Burbank, CA Schools
- Calexico, CA Schools
- Carson, CA Schools
- Cerritos, CA Schools
- Chula Vista, CA Schools
- Citrus Heights, CA Schools
- Clovis, CA Schools
- Colton, CA Schools
- Concord, CA Schools
- Costa Mesa, CA Schools
- Diamond Bar, CA Schools
- El Monte, CA Schools
- Elk Grove, CA Schools
- Emeryville, CA Schools
- Fremont, CA Schools
- Fresno, CA Schools
- Garden Grove, CA Schools
- Gardena, CA Schools
- Glendale, CA Schools
- Hayward, CA Schools
- Hollywood, CA Schools
- Huntington Beach, CA Schools
- Huntington Park, CA Schools
- Inglewood, CA Schools
Popular Schools
The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users.
An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about:
- programs & curriculum
- career opportunities
- tuition & financial aid
- admissions & starting dates
- 1Grand Canyon UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Online Learning
- Master
- 2Purdue University GlobalSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED.
- Online Learning
- Master
- 3Southern New Hampshire UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Online Learning
- Master
- 4Touro UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Online Learning
- Doctorate
- Doctorate of Physician Assistant
- 5Penn Foster High SchoolSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Students must be at least 14 years old and have completed the 8th grade.
- Online Learning
- High School Diploma
- High School Diploma
- 6Liberty UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Online Learning
- Doctorate
- Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: General
- Master
- MA: Medical Sciences: Molecular Medicine
- 7Harvard UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- Massachusetts campus Cambridge
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Dental
- Medical and Health Preparatory Sciences
- Medical Residency Programs
- Medicine – MD
- Public Health and Safety
- 8University of PennsylvaniaSchool InfoSchool locations:
- Pennsylvania campus Philadelphia
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate, Post Master’s Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Dental
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Ethics and Bioethics
- Medical Residency Programs
- Medicine – MD
- Mental Health Services
- Nursing Professions
- Public Health and Safety
- Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Sciences
- 9Stanford UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- California campus Stanford
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Medical Administrative Services
- Medical Informatics and Illustration
- Medical Residency Programs
- Medicine – MD
- 10Duke UniversitySchool InfoSchool locations:
- North Carolina campus Durham
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Medical and Health Professions
- Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Professions
- Medical Residency Programs
- Medicine – MD
- Nursing Professions
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
Part 1: Introduction
Getting into a medical school in California is a very common goal among premed students given the state’s high-ranking programs, reduced in-state tuition at public institutions, idyllic weather, cultural diversity, and so on.
Unfortunately, California med school admissions are also incredibly difficult due to schools’ competitive stats, the large state population, and the massive number of applications each program receives.
Do a quick search online and you’ll come across horror stories from students on premed forums like:
This might leave you wondering how anyone manages to get into one of California’s 16 medical schools. Fortunately, there are systematic approaches to gaining these coveted seats, as many of our students have demonstrated over the years:
In this guide, our goal is to demystify what it takes to get into California medical schools. We’ll provide statistics, rankings, and other relevant information about each school so you can make informed, data-driven decisions about where to apply. Plus, we’ll go over admissions strategies to help you improve your odds of gaining an acceptance.
Learn everything you need to know to get into medical school.
Get our free 102-page guide: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat SEND ME THE GUIDE
100% privacy. No spam. Ever.
—-
Part 2: List of medical schools in California: 2021 rankings & admissions statistics
Your first step is to learn about your competition when applying to California med schools. We dug up the most pertinent information about each school to help you understand the admissions landscape, whether you’re a California resident or out-of-state applicant.
While compiling this information, we observed the following trends:
- California medical schools boast high rankings. In the 2022 U.S. News Best Medical Schools (Research) rankings, two are in the top 5, four in the top 25, and seven in the top 50.
- Tuition and fees to attend California medical schools are comparable to schools outside of California.
- While out-of-state students must pay more than in-state students at public California (i.e., UC) med schools, tuition and fees for out-of-state UC students are still lower than all California private schools’ tuition and fees.
- California residents enjoy higher interview rates at most schools.
In the “U.S. News Ranking” column in the table below, numbers in parentheses reflect each medical school’s national ranking, whereas numbers outside parentheses reflect each California medical school’s relative rank. Relative rankings allow us to more easily answer the question, “Which are the ‘best’ medicals school in California?”
(Note: We strongly advise you to sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date and comprehensive data on individual MD programs and to sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
| California Medical Schools | U.S. News Ranking | Location | Degree | Year Est. | Annual Tuition & Fees | Avg. GPA | Avg. MCAT | Interview Rate | First-Year Class Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University School of Medicine | 1 (4) | Stanford | MD | 1908 | $63,311 IS $63,311 OOS | 3.89 | 519 | 6.7% IS 6.9% OOS | 90 (25.5% IS) |
| UCSF School of Medicine* | 1 (4) | San Francisco | MD | 1864 | $36,765 IS $49,010 OOS | 3.86 | 518 | 8.6% IS 5.2% OOS | 178 (73% IS) |
| UC San Diego School of Medicine*^ | 3 (19) | San Diego | MD | 1968 | $38,383 IS $50,628 OOS | 3.83 | 517 | 12.9% IS 6.3% OOS | 133 (87.2% IS) |
| UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine*^ | 4 (21) | Los Angeles | MD | 1951 | $39,268 IS $$51,513 OOS | 3.84 | 516 | 8.1% IS 5.8% OOS | 175 (58.9% IS) |
| USC Keck School of Medicine^ | 5 (29) | Los Angeles | MD | 1885 | $69,237 IS $69,237 OOS | 3.76 | 517 | 13.2% IS 4.8% OOS | 186 (80.6% IS) |
| UC Davis School of Medicine* | 6 (48) | Davis | MD | 1966 | $41,927 IS $54,172 OOS | 3.69 | 512 | 9.9% IS 0.4% OOS | 127 (94.5% IS) |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine*^ | 6 (48) | Irvine | MD | 1896 | $37,223 IS $49,468 OOS | 3.85 | 516 | 10.6% IS 4.7% OOS | 104 (90.4% IS) |
| UC Riverside School of Medicine*^ | 8 (93-123) | Riverside | MD | 2008 | $38,823 IS $51,248 OOS | 3.59 | 508 | 6.4% IS 0.3% OOS | 78 (97.4% IS) |
| Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine | 8 (93-123) | Vallejo | DO | 1997 | $58,400 IS $58,400 OOS | 3.5 | 507 | NA | 135 (85% IS) |
| Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine^ | 8 (93-123) | Pomona | DO | 1977 | $59,600 IS 59,600 OOS | 3.68 | 510 | 12.7% Combined | 227 (87% IS) |
| California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine | UR | Clovis | DO | 2019 | $55,720 IS $55,720 OOS | 3.4 | 505 | NA | 79 (81% IS) |
| California Northstate University College of Medicine | UR | Elk Grove | MD | 2015 | $61,219 IS $61,219 OOS | 3.72 | 513 | 11.6% IS 1.3% OOS | 101 (95% IS) |
| California University of Science and Medicine^ | UR | San Bernardino | MD | 2015 | $58,700 IS $58,700 OOS | 3.68 | 512 | NA | 130 (97.7% IS) |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science^ | UR | Los Angeles | MD | 1966 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Kaiser Permanente Tyson School of Medicine^ | UR | Pasadena | MD | 2019 | Free | 3.87 | 516 | 8.2% IS 5.9% OOS | 50 (50% IS) |
| Loma Linda University School of Medicine^ | UR | Loma Linda | MD | 1909 | $61,600 IS $61,600 OOS | 3.86 | 510 | 7.6% IS 5.5% OOS | 168 (45.8% IS) |
*Public medical schools in California | | ^Medical schools in Southern California | UR: Unranked | IS: In-state | OOS: Out-of-state | NA: Not available
—-
Part 3: California medical school profiles
Now that you’re familiar with the admissions statistics of every medical school in California, we’ll provide further information on each institution to help you learn even more about them. After all, med schools vary in ways besides how challenging they are to get into. When deciding where to apply to medical school, you’ll want to take many factors into account—location, curriculum, culture, resources, and competitiveness all play a role in determining which schools will be the best fits for you.
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Not only is California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine one of just three osteopathic medical schools in California, it’s also brand new—the inaugural class matriculated in 2020. CHSU-COM is also the only med school located in California’s Central Valley, so one of its stated goals is to train physicians who will stick around and work in this medically underserved region. A cornerstone of CHSU-COM’s curriculum is team-based learning, which emphasizes students collaborating together to evaluate information rather than receiving it through lectures.
California Northstate University College of Medicine
California Northstate University College of Medicine, located in the Sacramento area, is another relatively new California med school with a focus on educating doctors who will help address a regional shortage of primary care physicians. It should be pointed out that CNU has faced criticism for a couple of things: its status as a for-profit institution that doesn’t allow its students access to federal loans, and the fact that it hasn’t yet moved from provisional to full LCME accreditation despite graduating a class of students. For these reasons, some believe there is risk associated with attending CNU.
So, should you consider applying to CNU? If you’re dead set on earning an MD in California, and the lack of access to federal loans isn’t a concern for you, you might add CNU to your list. However, other med schools may present surer bets in terms of proven quality and career opportunities.
California University of Science and Medicine
California University of Science and Medicine is another fairly new California med school founded in part by Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, a well-established teaching hospital near San Bernardino. CUSM emphasizes a participatory curriculum that incorporates clinical sciences beginning in the first year, and it describes itself as a “socially accountable medical school”—one of the tenets of its mission is to address the health concerns and wellbeing of its local community. As such, it also focuses in its admissions process on admitting students from California’s Inland Empire.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a historically Black institution with a focus on social justice and health equity for underserved populations. The four-year MD program offered by CDU is a joint program with UCLA; one of its aims is to develop medical leaders who will focus on advancing healthcare for disadvantaged areas. Accepting just 24 students each year, CDU/UCLA is a small, tight-knit program. However, students take all the same classes and benefit from the same resources as regular UCLA med students; the difference lies in CDU’s specialized focus on underserved populations, which includes rotating at community hospitals and clinics in underprivileged parts of Los Angeles.
Kaiser Permanente Tyson School of Medicine
The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is yet another newcomer to the California medical school landscape, having matriculated its first class in 2020. Yet, the Kaiser Permanente name was already well known in the region for its health insurance, vast system of hospitals, and residency programs, which date back to 1946. Kaiser has vowed to waive tuition for its first five classes (through the entering class of 2024), which has helped establish it as a desirable—and competitive—med school option. Though Kaiser doesn’t give preference to students interested in any particular specialty, free tuition may especially appeal to those hoping to enter primary care or other lower-paid specialties. At just 50 students accepted each year, its entering class size is among the smallest of any of the California med schools.
(Related reading: How to Get Into Kaiser Permanente Medical School)
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Loma Linda University School of Medicine is a Seventh-day Adventist medical school in the Inland Empire whose mission is to “continue the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ to make man whole.” Part of this mission includes an emphasis on service and a holistic approach to patient care. Sometimes, prospective students wonder how Loma Linda’s Christian values impact its medical curriculum—as an LCME-accredited medical school, you can rest assured that a Loma Linda medical education won’t have gaps or deviations based on religion. That said, students are required to attend chapel, take religion courses, and adhere to a fairly strict code of conduct. For these reasons, cultural fit will be important in determining if Loma Linda is the right school for you.
Stanford University School of Medicine
Consistently one of the best-ranked medical schools in California and the nation, Stanford is nearly unbeatable in terms of prestige and resources. As a premier research university, Stanford prepares its med students to be both excellent providers of patient care and innovative leaders and researchers. That’s evident in its Discovery Curriculum, which allows students the flexibility to pursue their education via different pathways and to focus on scholarship. As such, in order to be a strong candidate for Stanford, interests in both medical care and research are critical. Stanford’s admissions process is incredibly competitive, even for exceptional applicants.
(Related reading: How to Get Into Stanford Medical School)
Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University California is an osteopathic medical school in the Bay Area. Though religion is not an especially visible part of Touro’s curriculum or culture, it’s a med school under Jewish auspices whose values include service, social justice, and intellectual pursuit. Touro’s curriculum emphasizes primary care and includes a Global Health Program that sends students around the world for a month to gain hands-on experience in foreign countries. Touro is known for fostering a friendly, tight-knit community, and its desirable location makes it one of the more competitive DO schools in the country.
UC Davis School of Medicine
UC Davis’s School of Medicine boasts a strong research reputation and an even stronger reputation in primary care—it routinely ranks among the top med schools in the nation for primary care (it currently sits at #11). In addition, UC Davis emphasizes caring for the underserved and includes multiple pathways for students interested in urban, valley, or rural medicine. UC Davis’s highly competitive admissions process admits very few out-of-state students and heavily favors applicants from Northern and Central California, especially those from rural areas or who plan to practice primary care in a rural area.
UC Irvine School of Medicine
UC Irvine’s School of Medicine is guided by the mission statement, “Powered by discovery and innovation, UCI Health will advance individual and population health.” As you might then expect, UCI is known as a strong research institution and is particularly acclaimed for its research in cancer and the neurosciences. In addition, they offer the iMed curriculum which integrates technology into the med school curriculum in forward-thinking ways. UCI also emphasizes community outreach and aims to reach underprivileged populations in Southern California. Admission into UCI is quite competitive.
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
As UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine routinely ranks among the best medical schools in both California and the nation, it excels in preparing its students for both clinical practice and research. In addition, UCLA emphasizes lifelong learning, a “firm commitment to the humanistic, ethical, legal and cultural aspects of medicine,” and community engagement, as exemplified by their multiple programs that prepare students to practice in underserved communities. Given its many strengths, UCLA is one of the most difficult med schools to get into in the country.
(Related reading: How to Get Into UCLA Medical School)
UC Riverside School of Medicine
UC Riverside is a medical school with a clear mission: to educate a diverse workforce of physicians and to develop research and healthcare delivery programs in order to improve the health of medically underserved Californians, especially residents of the Inland Empire. UCR’s curriculum emphasizes ambulatory primary care, and students begin seeing patients under mentor supervision beginning in their first year. Given UCR’s regional focus, it is very difficult for out-of-state applicants to get in; candidates from the Inland Empire who are committed to practicing there have the best chances of admission.
UC San Diego School of Medicine
UCSD’s School of Medicine is often associated with the word “innovation”—they were the first to integrate science into the medical school curriculum and they’ve pioneered multiple lifesaving surgeries. On top of this, the university is known as an all-around powerhouse in scientific research. UCSD has a reputation for rigor and its grads tend to produce an impressive residency match list each year. These are some of the reasons why UCSD is consistently highly ranked and challenging to get into.
(Related reading: How to Get Into UCSD Medical School)
UCSF School of Medicine
Like Stanford, UCSF is consistently considered one of the best, most prestigious medical schools in both California and the United States. However, UCSF is unique among top schools in that it’s the only med school to rank in the top 4 nationally for both research and primary care. This is unsurprising given its highly decorated faculty, excellent clinical reputation, and the diverse patient population it serves. In addition to these strengths, UCSF also emphasizes public service and community health. These focuses are combined in UCSF’s Bridges Curriculum, which aims to meet the challenges of 21st-century health care. You’ll need to be an outstanding applicant in order to be competitive for UCSF’s difficult admissions process.
(Related reading: How to Get Into UCSF Medical School)
USC Keck School of Medicine
USC’s Keck School of Medicine has a reputation for both robust research and unmatched clinical training. USC students are able to gain a wide range of hands-on experience at a variety of public and private hospitals, including LAC+USC Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country. As such, USC students get the opportunity to work with a highly diverse patient population, including underserved communities. Because the first two years of USC’s curriculum are pass/fail, thus eliminating competition between students, the school is also known for its friendly atmosphere and good work-life balance. For all of these reasons, admission into USC is very competitive.
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Western University of Health Sciences is an osteopathic medical school with campuses in both Southern California and Oregon. Established to address a shortage of primary care physicians in the western U.S, its mission is “to produce, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.” One distinctive feature of Western is its Interprofessional Education curriculum, in which DO students explore case studies alongside students in other healthcare professional programs.
—-
Part 4: California medical school admissions strategies
In this section, we’ll cover two strategies—beyond achieving high stats and completing all the right extracurriculars for medical school—to help maximize your odds of getting in.
Strategy 1: Take a data-driven approach to decide which California medical schools to apply to
Although med schools in California are often lumped together as uniformly difficult to get into, as seen above, there is significant variability with regard to admissions statistics that you would be wise to incorporate when developing your medical school list.
We routinely observe how students add certain schools to their list “just because” or thinking that “it can’t hurt,” even though the data clearly show that their chances of getting in are slim to none.
For instance, UC Riverside receives over 1,000 applications from out-of-state applicants each year, despite the fact that none of them receive interviews or get admitted. Why waste your money and time when you could be spending your resources on better options?
In addition, be realistic about your admissions odds based on your GPA and MCAT score.
For example, Stanford admits students with an average GPA of 3.9 and an average MCAT score of 519. If you have a 3.6 GPA and below a 510 MCAT score, you’re highly unlikely to get in unless you’re exceptional in some other regard (e.g., you’re a first author on five publications to high-impact research journals).
While we’re proponents of including a few “reach” schools in your med school list, we don’t subscribe to the “it can’t hurt to apply” philosophy when it comes to applying to schools that are nearly impossible for you to get into.
Writing high-quality secondary essays takes a lot of time, so it’s best to prioritize schools that you have a better chance of getting into. Focusing on far, far reach schools at the expense of realistic ones detracts from your chances of getting admitted to the latter.
In other words, it can hurt to apply to unrealistic schools, in California or elsewhere.
Strategy 2: Focus on each California medical school’s mission and demonstrate fit
As we noted in the school profiles above, each California medical school—like any other med school—has specific areas that it excels in and about which it’s proud.
For instance, the home page of UC Irvine’s website boasts research grants, research discoveries, and information on upcoming grand rounds. On the other hand, Loma Linda’s website’s home page largely highlights their commitment to service, to the community, and to promote Christian values.
It’s not that Loma Linda’s faculty are not interested in conducting research (they are) or that UC Irvine does not care about service or the community (it does), but rather that the type of students they aim to recruit differ.
Therefore, when completing secondary applications for each school, make sure to demonstrate fit with their stated and presented mission.
The same advice applies during medical school interviews in California or elsewhere. While MMI interviews leave less room for explicit statements about your commitment to a certain community within California, etc., you can still demonstrate how your values align with each school’s mission through the answers you provide.
Final thoughts
California’s many residents eager for in-state tution to its prestigious public universities, plus the state’s widespread popularity with in-state and out-of-state applicants alike, make getting into California medical schools a challenge. Even if you’re an excellent student, you’ll still have to contend with unusually high amounts of competition and low acceptance rates. That said, getting into medical school in California is possible. If you’re able to achieve high academic stats and ensure that your background, experiences, and essays align with the type of students each school you apply to is looking for, you can boost your odds of earning your MD in the Golden State.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world’s foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
Over 90% of our students get into med school—the first time.
Get our free 102-page guide to help you with every step: Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat SEND ME THE GUIDE
100% privacy. No spam. Ever.
—-
Appendix A: California medical schools by degree type
Allopathic medical schools in California (MD)
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine (Tyson)
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- UC Irvine School of Medicine
- UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- UCSF School of Medicine
- USC School of Medicine (Keck)
Osteopathic medical schools in California (DO)
- California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine
—-
Appendix B: California medical schools by institution type
Public medical schools in California
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- UC Irvine School of Medicine
- UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- UCSF School of Medicine
Private medical schools in California
- California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- USC School of Medicine (Keck)
- Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine
—-
Appendix C: California medical schools by region
Medical schools in Southern California
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- UC Irvine School of Medicine
- UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- USC School of Medicine (Keck)
- Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical schools in Northern California
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- UCSF School of Medicine
- Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical schools in Central California
- California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Best Medicine colleges in San Diego 2021
- Best Colleges
- United States
- California
- San Diego
- Medicine
A degree in medicine is the highest degree one can obtain in the medical field. It’s more commonly known as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Both are graduate degrees awarded by an accredited school of medicine (medical school). After obtaining an undergraduate degree in a variety of sciences, including pre-medicine, students typically complete four more rigorous years in medical school in order to receive their doctoral degree. After graduation, a student will spend three or more additional years in a medical internship and residency program before starting a career as a physician. While physicians often specialize in a particular type of medicine, medical degrees cover the foundational skills needed to practice medicine, including subjects such as anatomy and physiology, genetics, biochemistry and immunology.
There generally is not an undergraduate degree in medicine specifically; however, there are often pre-med degree programs that combine classes to help prepare students for the MCAT exam, which students are required to pass to get into medical school in the United States. Often, students study some form of life science (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or kinesiology). However, students can receive a bachelor’s degree in any major prior to seeking a degree in medicine.
Best Medicine colleges in San Diego for 2021
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA
University of California-San Diego offers 1 Medicine degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 112 Medicine students graduated with students earning 112 Doctoral degrees.Based on 9 ReviewsGet School Info
1 result
- UC San Diego School of MedicineUniversity of California – San Diego Graduate School LA JOLLA, CAAdd to List
- SponsoredCooper Medical School of Rowan UniversityRowan University Global Learning & Partnerships Graduate School CAMDEN, NJ Rating 5 out of 5 4 reviewsDoctoral Student: CMSRU is great! The professors are excellent and the administrators care about the students and our success.
Read 4 ReviewsAdd to List
1 result
- UC San Diego School of MedicineUniversity of California – San Diego Graduate School LA JOLLA, CAAdd to List
- SponsoredCooper Medical School of Rowan UniversityRowan University Global Learning & Partnerships Graduate School CAMDEN, NJ Rating 5 out of 5 4 reviewsDoctoral Student: CMSRU is great! The professors are excellent and the administrators care about the students and our success.
Read 4 ReviewsAdd to List
Leave a Reply