UC San Diego School of Medicine

La Jolla, CaliforniaMDUCSD Official website

MCAT514.4AverageSources and context for MCAT
GPA3.83AverageSources and context for GPA
Class size1402025-2026Source for Class size
In-state tuition$45,956One year, tuition and feesSource for In-state tuition

Mission

The mission of the UC San Diego School of Medicine is to provide skilled, compassionate physicians well-trained to practice medicine who are sensitive to the needs of the special populations of our region and the nation. In addition, we strive to build on our exceptional biomedical, behavioral and health services research strengths to extend the boundaries of the art and science of medicine through continued research and the preparation of future academicians. In these ways, we also strive to improve the overall health of the population.
As the school states it

Admissions office

Office of Admissions, 0606La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
(858) 534-3880
[email protected]

Tuition and cost

Tuition and fees
In state$45,956
Out of state$58,201
One year, as reported. A missing figure means the school did not report it, never that it costs nothing.
Cost of attendance
In state$75,043
Out of state$87,288
Tuition plus the living costs the school budgets for. This is what a loan is sized against.
What you leave with
Average graduating debt
$163,679
Students receiving aid
85%
Health insurance
In state
$5,820
Out of state
$5,820

Who can apply

Out-of-state ApplicantsYesYes, All applicants
Canadian ApplicantsConditionsConditional, Coursework from Canadian universities is accepted. Applicants still must meet our criteria re: citizenship as detailed in the "International Applicants" section
International ApplicantsConditionsNo, The UCSD SOM will consider applicants from US citizens, permanent residents of the US (green card), and DACA recipients. Applicants that do not satisfy one of these requirements won't be considered
DACA Status ApplicantsYesYes, https://medschool.ucsd.edu/admissions/Pages/Application- Process.aspx
Transfer applicantsNoNot accepted
Community college prerequisitesYesAccepted
AP creditYesAccepted
Online courseworkYesAccepted
Pass/fail courseworkConditionsAccepted with conditions

At the UCSD School of Medicine, we understand there are many valid reasons why an applicant would take coursework at a community college. Any and all community college coursework is accepted by our committee.

Applying

How competitive is admission here?

74.3applications per seat2025-2026
10,400applications received2025-2026
53.6%from in state2025-2026
  1. MCAT scores this school will read
    Oldest accepted
    January 2023
    Latest accepted
    December 31, 2026
  2. AAMC PREview
    Policy
    Exploring PREview for Future use – will not be used in this cycle’s admissions decisions
  3. Secondary application
    Required
    Yes
    Fee
    $135
    Sent to
    Screened applicants
    Fee waiver
    Available
  4. Secondary deadline
    Due
    The deadline is one month after the applicant is invited to submit the secondary application
  5. Letters of recommendation
    Committee letter
    Accepted
    Letter packet
    Accepted
    Individual letters
    Accepted
  6. Interview
    Format
    MMI
    Invitations
    In August of the year preceding matriculation.
  7. Deposit on an offer
    Required
    No

Prerequisite coursework

  • BiochemistryRecommended
  • BiologyRecommended
  • ChemistryRecommended
  • PhysicsRecommended
  • StatisticsRecommended

Interview

MMI
Video interview

For the 2026-2027 application cycle, UCSD plans to use only remote video interviews (via Zoom)

Regional interviews

Regional interviews are not available

How the school describes it

The 4-year M.D. program, PRIME-HEq, PRIME-TIDE, and GHAC programs utilize Multiple Mini Interviews with faculty and 4th-year medical students. The MD-Phd program utilizes both one on one and Multiple Mini Interviews.

Invitations

In August of the year preceding matriculation.

A typical interview day

All sessions will be run via Zoom video conferencing. Students receive a orientation at 8 AM in the morning. MMI interviews occur until noon. Applicants have a 1 hour Q & A session with current medical students, and then debrief with admissions staff.

If you are waitlisted

Waitlist positions
300
Waitlist offers
30

Applicants are typically informed of the admission committee's decision on their application within six weeks of their interview. Those on the waitlist are re-evaluated for possible admission.

Sources

Figures here were last reviewed on 2026-08-04.

PreMD publishes no ranking of medical schools and republishes nobody else's. Reported averages and medians describe entering classes; they do not predict an applicant's result.

PreMD is an independent planning tool for applicants. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by this school, and this is not the school's official website. Marks are shown for identification.