Best Pre Med Schools In California

The AACOMAS process is much the same as AMCAS, though there are some key differences. To start, you do not need quite as high of a GPA or MCAT score. But don’t let that factor alone make your decisions. Your AACOMAS personal statement must address why you want to be an osteopath specifically, and you also must include at least one letter or recommendation from a DO. You will still need to collect a range of extracurriculars, but how you write about them on the AACOMAS application will differ slightly.

The Best Premed Schools in California (2023)

Learn how California’s top colleges prepare their students for medical school

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: What are the best premed schools in California?

Part 3: What makes each school unique?

Part 4: Premed college admissions strategies

Appendix: Frequently asked questions

Part 1: Introduction

If your child dreams of eventually attending medical school , choosing which colleges to apply to first can be particularly stressful.

In addition to searching for a school that’s a great fit with regard to academics and extracurricular activities, your future premed will already be planning for their professional future and looking to see which schools offer the best support and resources along the way. You might also be considering how much to save or spend on an undergraduate institution while putting aside enough for the expensive process of applying to medical school later on, not to mention the cost of medical school tuition.

Moreover, with medical school admissions becoming increasingly competitive, your child may feel pressure to choose an undergraduate institution that will give them the best chances of a med school acceptance down the line. If your child has their heart set on attending college in California, it can be challenging to determine which of the state’s hundreds of four-year colleges will deliver the best premed education for your child.

The goals of this guide are to give you a sense of which schools your premed child should consider and to offer some strategies for getting your child into their dream program—whether that’s in California or somewhere else.

Part 2: What are the best premed schools in California?

While compiling this list, we took several factors into account:

• Overall U.S. News and World Report ranking: Despite well-documented issues with these rankings, high-ranked schools continue to be viewed as elite by medical school admissions committees, thereby increasing your child’s odds of getting into a great program.
• Availability of medical career advising, faculty support, and peer community: Because there is plenty of misinformation online and elsewhere about what it takes to get into medical school, having access to supportive faculty, advisors, and peers can help reduce some of the associated stress.
• Availability of research opportunities, fellowships, and medical career experience: Your child will have to accumulate significant hours shadowing physicians, providing patient care, performing community service and volunteering, and conducting research. Whereas some colleges offer a wealth of such opportunities, others offer fewer.
• Medical school acceptance rates: After years of hard work, your child will be disappointed if they don’t get into med school. This factor accounts for school prestige and institutional support.
• Number of medical school applicants: Students at certain colleges and universities apply to medical school in much larger numbers than students at other schools. While overall student body size certainly plays a role in determining these numbers—a large research university will likely have many more applicants than a small liberal arts college—high numbers of applicants also point to a well-established premed program.

High-level takeaways:

• All the schools listed below provide students with career advising and have one or more designated pre-health or premed advisors. Some schools may also employ staff who coordinate premed experiences such as shadowing and research.
• That said, large UC schools like Berkeley and UCLA, while prestigious, have more students to support and thus may not be the best fit for students seeking individualized attention. Smaller, private institutions like Pomona, Caltech, and Pepperdine boast higher faculty-to-student ratios for advising, not to mention in the classroom.
• Many California colleges and universities, such as Stanford, UCLA, and Berkeley, have close associations with major medical centers and highly ranked medical schools. This is especially true of schools in the Bay Area and in or near Los Angeles. These affiliations provide excellent opportunities for premed students to gain clinical experience, an important medical school requirement.
• All the colleges below provide students with opportunities to get involved with faculty research. Some schools, like UC San Diego, Pomona, and Caltech, also offer competitive research programs over the summer. However, keep in mind that there will be higher levels of competition for lab spots at big universities with tens of thousands of undergraduates, such as the UC schools and USC.

The best premed colleges in California

Below are our picks for the best premed colleges in California.

When reviewing the data, keep the following in mind:

• The national medical school acceptance rate is currently 36 percent.
• Unless otherwise noted, “Number of medical school applicants” refers to the number of students and alums who applied to enter medical school in Fall 2021.

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 6 (tie)
• Location: Palo Alto, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 3.95%
• Number of medical school applicants: 228
• Medical school acceptance rate: Not public, but rumored to be around 70%

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 22
• Location: Berkeley, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14.5%
• Number of medical school applicants: 859
• Medical school acceptance rate: Ranged from 52–65% between 2016 and 2020

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 20
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 10.8%
• Number of medical school applicants: 1,298
• Medical school acceptance rate: 53% in 2020

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 49 (tie)
• Location: Malibu, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 42%
• Number of medical school applicants: 50
• Medical school acceptance rate: 70–80%

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 27
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 12.4%
• Number of medical school applicants: 370
• Medical school acceptance rate: Not given

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 9 (tie)
• Location: Pasadena, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 7%
• Number of medical school applicants: Not given
• Medical school acceptance rates: Not given; however, most students score above the 90th percentile on the MCAT

• US News and World Report Rank (Liberal Arts Colleges): 4
• Location: Claremont, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 6.5%
• Number of medical school applicants: 54
• Medical school acceptance rate: 85% in 2018

(Note: If your child is interested in Pomona, other liberal arts colleges in California that they may want to consider include Harvey Mudd, Scripps, and Occidental.)

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 28 (tie)
• Location: Santa Barbara, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 29.2%
• Number of medical school applicants: 215
• Medical school acceptance rate: Not currently given; in the past, UCSB has stated that their medical school acceptance rate is approximately 42%

• U.S. News and World Report Rank (National Universities): 34 (tie)
• Location: San Diego, CA
• Undergraduate acceptance rate: 34.3%
• Number of medical school applicants: 757
• Medical school acceptance rate: 42% in 2020

Note: * Denotes public universities.

Part 3: What makes each school unique?

When deciding which school to apply to, it can help your child to narrow down their choices by looking at what makes each school unique. Location, access to research or shadowing opportunities, student organizations, and interesting extracurriculars all play a part in the experience your child will have as well as what kind of medical school application they will be able to put together.

To get a more holistic view of each university, we’ll look at just a few aspects of the schools we’ve mentioned that you can only find on their respective campuses.

Stanford

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research The Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) offers students access to one-of-a-kind shadowing opportunities. This program is open to students starting in their sophomore year who are in good academic standing. Volunteering while at Stanford comes with an array of options to suit any student’s taste. If your child is artistically inclined, Healing Strokes is a nearby charity providing art therapy for stroke patients. If the science of the brain fascinates them, the Family Caregiver Alliance will have them working with patients suffering from neurological issues.
• Societies and Organizations While joining a society looks good on a medical school application, joining a student organization that showcases your child’s interests outside of medicine is good, too. Stanford has many student organizations for almost any interest, such as Anime in the Arts and Engineering Students for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Location Stanford students are surrounded by inspiration and culture with artistic activities nearby. The Rodin Sculpture Garden and a Papua New Guinea Sculpture Walk are easy to get to as well as the Anderson Collection and the Hannah Honeycomb House – an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s brilliant architecture.

UC Berkeley

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research No fewer than 35 Nobel prize winners are Berkeley alumni, bolstering its research credentials. UC Berkeley also has the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships (OURS). If your child is keen to follow a research path, such as an MD/PhD, UC Berkeley is a fantastic choice. There is even a research apprenticeship program.
• Societies and Organizations UC Berkeley has a vast amount of student organizations, some at the cutting edge of medicine. The AI in Medicine Club aims to link advancements in computing and data science with advancements in the biological sciences. Students can even explore an interesting new hobby while at Berkeley, such as skydiving by joining the Air Bears Skydiving Club.
• Location Living in Berkeley has some unique activities in the surrounding area. Grizzly Peak is an amazing spot for fantastic views of the cities of the Bay area, and Berkeley Marina provides an outlet for those into watersports.

UCLA

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research UCLA offers an array of programs to help premed students in their efforts to gain experience. From Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) to Pre-Medical Undergraduate Learning through Shadowing Experience (PULSE) The Pre-Medical Enrichment Program (PREP) offers support for students that come from backgrounds where they have been disadvantaged either economically, socially or educationally.
• Societies and Organizations UCLA shines in its societies and student organizations with many options for cultural and scientific enrichment. The Cicadas Chinese Calligraphy Club is a great way for students to broaden their horizons while learning an artistic skill. Bruin Assistance for All (BAFA) gives students a chance to showcase their humanity by helping the homeless in LA.
• Location Being near many of the nation’s famous natural and cultural attractions has its advantages. Students can take in a show at the Geffen Playhouse, find inspiration at the Hammer Museum, or relieve stress with a trip to Venice Beach.

Pepperdine

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research Assisting disabled adults, teaching English or working as an EMT are all possible volunteer paths at Pepperdine. Pepperdine also has a cross-disciplinary/interdisciplinary undergraduate research program, allowing students to collaborate in research across different fields of study.
• Societies and Organizations Tick that well-rounded box on medical applications with Pepperdine’s Campus Groups. From Chemistry Club to Global Justice Society, there are many ways your child’s extracurriculars can stand out at Pepperdine. If the military interests your child, they can join ROTC while a full-time student.
• Location The relaxed vibe of Malibu offers something for everyone from the beach to the mountains. If your child enjoys hiking, there are plenty of places to explore.

USC

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research USC is particularly good for students who want to be engaged in research, offering a variety of avenues to get involved. SOAR is a program for academic research while SURF is a summer research program. USC also has a pre-health shadowing program and a program allowing students to volunteer at the Hudson Clinic.
• Societies and OrganizationsEngageSC is the one-stop place for finding student organizations and activities on campus. From student government to groups at the Center for Undergraduate Research at the Viterbi School of Engineering (CURVE), there are many options for padding out an extracurricular section on a med school application.
• Location Los Angeles has great weather and an endless array of cultural activities. Students can visit the Getty Center for artistic inspiration or the Griffith Observatory to explore the universe.

Caltech

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research Caltech is famous for its research and there is no shortage of programs for undergraduates. Caltech also has a summer research program, but if your child is thinking of becoming an engineering major, there is a summer research program with mentors from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
• Societies and Organizations There are scores of clubs for students to join at Caltech with some notable ones being Neurodiversity @ Caltech and Caltech Effective Altruism.
• Location Stimulating activities abound in Pasadena and around Caltech with the Natural History Museum of LA County, the La Brea Tar Pits, and a variety of art museums.

Pomona

• Shadowing/Volunteering and/or Research Pomona doesn’t list much in the way of shadowing on its website, but there are hospitals in the area with programs that accept premeds. For example, the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center has a volunteer program for college students. As a liberal arts school, you might think Pomona only focuses their research on the humanities. However, students also have the opportunity to conduct research in the sciences, as is evident by two recent summer research projects in molecular biology and neuroscience.
• Societies and Organizations Like most schools, there are loads of student organizations at Pomona, but they also happen to have many directly related to premed students, such as Pomona Prehealth Liaisons.
• Location While the city of Claremont is close to Los Angeles, it also boasts many of its own attractions for Pomona students. The California Botanic Garden offers students a chance to immerse themselves in the beautiful plant life of the state and the Bridges Hall of Music provides (usually) free concerts with artists that span a range of styles.

UC Santa Barbara

• Shadowing/Volunteering and Research At UC Santa Barbara, students can engage in clinical and volunteering activities while a premed. Student Scribes is a non-profit organization that helps undergraduates scribe for physicians in the Santa Barbara area. The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation also accepts volunteers willing to help with financial assistance to families of children with cancer. If your child would like to dive into research before college, the Summer Scholars Program at Ventura County Medical Center is an 8-week program for prospective students where each participant works with faculty and produces a clinical research project.
• Societies and Organizations UC Santa Barbara has premed specific student organizations such as AMSA and the Pre-Medical Society.
• Location Around campus, students can find many cultural activities to enliven their time at UCSB. The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara is nearby, as well as the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

UC San Diego

• Shadowing/Volunteering and Research UC San Diego is known for its research and as such has a huge undergraduate research portal on the web. With a faculty mentor program, EMPOWER for engineering students and STARTneuro for those interested in neuroscience, the chances to do something fascinating are endless. There are also a number of hospitals and clinics in San Diego that are willing to take one volunteers for shadowing. You can find a list that UCSD provides here.
• Societies and Organizations USCS also has a variety of student organizations that may be of interest to premeds, such as the American Mock World Health Organization and Engineering World Health.
• Location It’s important to occasionally take time out from your studies, relax and let your mind wander. Around UCSD your child will be surrounded by stunning natural beauty and can visit Balboa Park to excite their minds amongst architecture, art and gardens.

Part 4: Premed college admissions strategies

In this section, we’ll focus on a few strategies for increasing your child’s chances of admission. Of course, these also hold true for future premeds applying to college anywhere, not just in California.

Strategy 1: Demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for math and science, in and out of the classroom

As a premed student, your child’s main focus will be on math and science courses. Though it’s not required, many premed students choose a science major.

Even if your child doesn’t major in the sciences, they’ll likely be doing research or volunteer work to prepare for a medical career. To get ready for science-heavy learning in college, it’s a good idea to demonstrate ability in the sciences in high school: your child should take science AP classes offered by their school and participate in extracurricular activities like science Olympiad, robotics teams, competing in the Intel science fair, or pursuing other clubs, teams or competitions at school.

Strategy 2: Seek out volunteer and research opportunities

Conducting research, shadowing a physician, or volunteering at a hospital look impressive on an application. These activities demonstrate to admissions committees a serious interest in the medical profession.

Volunteering, research, or shadowing can also help your child get a sense of what interests them and what they might want to pursue in college. This can help focus your child’s essays, and also help them get specific about which research opportunities at which institutions might appeal to them. Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for high school students, such as the Medical Youth Science Program at Stanford, or the prestigious Research Science Program at MIT.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate fit by mentioning specific opportunities

Your child should explain why they think they’d be a good fit for this particular school in their “Why us?” college essay. They should think about this broadly.

Your child can and should mention specific premed opportunities that the college or university offers. Maybe Stanford appeals because they’ve grown up in the shadow of the Bay Area’s innovation centers and hope to be a part of life on the inside. Or maybe Pepperdine’s Summer Research Program in Biology really interests them.

Your child should also think about the other ways in which they’d contribute to the college or university community as a whole, beyond premed requirements. What are some of your child’s other interests, talents, or extracurricular activities? How will they take advantage not just of the school’s premed opportunities, but also the rest of their liberal arts offerings?

For instance, if your child is interested in attending the University of Southern California, maybe they’re excited about the possibility of double-majoring in cinematic arts and biology and spending a summer working in a medical television show’s writer’s room. Or perhaps they’d like to pursue global public health alongside their research into basic sciences, and are interested in augmenting their studies through Berkeley’s Integrative Science study abroad program.

Target the school’s mission statement

Another fantastic way to demonstrate fit for a particular school is by reading through their mission statement and working aspects of their philosophy into your personal statement and/or essays. For example, UC San Diego’s mission statement says they are, “transforming California and a diverse global society by educating, by generating and disseminating knowledge and creative works, and by engaging in public service.”

How have your child’s interests, activities and experiences contributed to this mission statement? Have they done any volunteering which would fit within the category of ‘public service?’ Have they created anything inspirational? Have they won an award for that creation that could show a link to the mission statement?

Strategy 4: Develop and demonstrate work ethic and study skills

It might seem like a no-brainer, but the premed track involves long hours studying and a lot of multitasking.

In their application, it’s a good idea for your child to highlight their dedication to the things they do inside and outside of the classroom. They should show commitment to projects and activities, even if those projects and activities aren’t necessarily science related.

Say your child stays late every night at school rehearsing for plays, or spends hours researching debate briefs, or passes weekends laying out the school paper. Maybe they went above and beyond the requirements for a history class presentation the same week they organized their campaign for class president. These things are worth mentioning: all require discipline and follow-through and display the drive necessary to meet the demands of being premed.

Final thoughts

California is full of great undergraduate institutions—public, private, big, small—that can prepare your child for a career in medicine. As with all college admissions, a competitive application depends on demonstrating fit, preparation, and interest.

Appendix: Frequently asked questions

If my child is a California resident, should they be applying to medical schools in California?

Given the state’s high-ranking programs, reduced in-state tuition at public institutions, and warm climate, California is an attractive destination for many medical school applicants. However, with the high volume of applications and large in-state population, admission to California medical schools (both MD and DO programs) is highly competitive. When your child is ready to apply to medical school, they should apply to a mix of California and non-California schools to maximize their admissions odds.

Are some schools more likely to “weed out” prospective premed students than others?

Some schools (like those in the UC system) grade their science classes on a curve. Others (like Pepperdine) don’t. Moreover, schools vary with regard to class sizes, which may impact the level of attention and support your child receives.

While the highest-achieving students at each school will enjoy the greatest odds of getting into med school, it’s important to consider how competitive each school is. At the same time, keep in mind that the same GPA at a higher-ranked school will look more impressive than at its lower-ranked counterpart.

For example, it’s well known that Caltech is one of the toughest schools in the country, grading-wise; thus, it’s extra difficult to achieve a high GPA there. For some premeds, this can present challenges when applying to med school. On the flip side, an excellent GPA from Caltech will certainly be viewed very favorably.

Are these the only schools my child should apply to? What about California schools not on this list?

Not at all. Our intention in creating this list is simply to provide our thoughts on which schools offer the strongest premed programs according to the criteria we outlined earlier, not to dictate where your child should apply. The latter should be determined by a wide variety of factors, including your child’s GPA, ACT or SAT score, extracurricular record, academic interests, and preferred school size and location, not to mention your family’s financial situation. The fact of the matter is that there are plenty of other great colleges and universities in California, including highly ranked ones such as UC Irvine and UC Davis, from which your child can find medical school admissions success.

Speaking of rankings, it should be said that, of the many factors that go into medical school admissions, the reputation of your child’s undergraduate institution is of relatively lesser importance. What is crucial, however, are their GPA and MCAT scores. Additionally, both extracurriculars and letters of recommendation trump college prestige.

Thus, while attending a school with robust premed resources is certainly to your child’s benefit, the best premed school for any student is one where they will thrive academically and stand out in their extracurriculars.

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world’s foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

California Medical Schools—2023-2024 Guide to Acceptance

Are you considering applying to California medical schools? Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, majestic national parks, incredible food that ranges from farm-to-table to sushi to Mexican, and, of course, Hollywood, are just a few of the amazing things that the great state of California has to offer. But maybe even better are the many respected medical schools in California that attract hopeful premeds from far and wide—premeds just like you.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in California, including how many medical schools there are, what they’re known for, what it’s like to live there, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in California.

Here’s what to expect below.

• How Many Medical Schools Are in California?
• What Are the Best Medical Schools in California?
• Medical Schools Based on Location
• How Much is Tuition in California?
• How to Apply to California Medical Schools
  • Application Dates Deadlines
  • Application Requirements
  • Preparation Timeline
  • 1. Be Prepared for Diversity Questions
    1. Craft a Cohesive Narrative
    1. Choose Schools on Fit Over Prestige
    1. Consider All Costs And Make a Budget Early On

  How Many Medical Schools Are in California?

  There are 16 medical schools in California, 13 allopathic (MD) medical schools and 3 osteopathic (DO) medical schools. It’s second only to New York, which has 18 medical schools. (If you’re curious, Texas has the third-most medical schools in the US with 15).

  List of Medical Schools in California

  Allopathic Medical Schools in California (MD)

  • California Northstate University College of Medicine
  • California University of Science and Medicine
  • Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science
  • Kaiser Permanente Medical School
  • Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California
  • Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • UC Davis School of Medicine
  • UC Irvine School of Medicine
  • UCLA (UC Los Angeles) David Geffen School of Medicine
  • UC Riverside School of Medicine
  • UC San Diego School of Medicine
  • UC San Francisco School of Medicine

  Osteopathic Medical Schools in California (DO)

  • California Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

  What Are the Best Medical Schools in California?

  There are many factors to consider in determining a school’s rank, including peer assessment scores, residency directors’ assessment scores, faculty resources, student selectivity, and more. Find out how U.S. News ranks medical schools.

  While California holds quite a few prestigious medical schools, none of them are Ivy League. All eight of the Ivy League schools are located on the east coast.

  Below we’ve outlined the top medical schools in California based on each school’s ranking for research and primary care.

  California Medical Schools Ranked by Research

  1. The School of Medicine at University of California—San Francisco tied for #3
  2. The School of Medicine at Stanford University ranked #8
  3. The David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California—Los Angeles ranked #19
  4. The School of Medicine at University of California—San Diego tied for #20
  5. The Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (Keck) ranked #28

  California Medical Schools Ranked by Primary Care

  1. The School of Medicine at University of California—San Francisco ranked #2
  2. The School of Medicine at University of California—Davis ranked #8
  3. The David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California—Los Angeles (Geffen) ranked #13
  4. The School of Medicine at Stanford University ranked #30
  5. The School of Medicine at University of California—San Diego ranked #32

  California Medical School Locations

  

  California is quite a large state, which is why it’s generally divided into Northern California (NorCal) and Southern California (SoCal), and while they comprise the same state, there are quite a few differences between the two.

  Northern California occupies the San Francisco Bay Area all the way up to the Oregon border. Southern California begins below Fresno and stretches all the way to Tijuana, Mexico.

  NorCal is known for its mountainous and volcanic geography, whereas SoCal is known for its flatter desert landscape. It’s also colder in NorCal. If you like changing seasons with some rain and even snow, NorCal is for you. SoCal, on the other hand, has year-round sunshine and arid desert air. For example, Los Angeles enjoys 284 sunny days a year.

  Both NorCal and SoCal feature impressive national parks and hiking trails. NorCal has the Redwood National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and SoCal has the Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park.

  NorCal is known for Silicon Valley, whereas SoCal is known for Hollywood and picturesque beaches. Both regions feature incredible and diverse food, from sushi to Mexican.

  Regardless of which region sounds more to your liking, know that most of California’s medical schools reside in Southern California.

  Medical Schools in Southern California

  Southern California holds 11 of California’s 16 medical schools.

  • California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic 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
  • 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

  Northern California is where the remaining five California medical schools can be found.

  • California Northstate University College of Medicine
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • UC Davis School of Medicine
  • UC San Francisco School of Medicine

  How Much Is Medical School in California

  So, how much does medical school cost in California? Tuition will vary from school to school.

  California Tuition Costs (2022 Data From MSAR)

  California Medical School	Yearly Tuition In-State	Yearly Tuition Out-of-State
  California Northstate University College of Medicine	$68,141	$68,141
  California University of Science and Medicine	$66,687	$66,687
  USC School of Medicine (Keck)	$70,485	$70,485
  UC Davis School of Medicine	$43,768	$56,013
  UC Irvine School of Medicine	$39,043	$51,288
  UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)	$36,585	$48,830
  UC Riverside School of Medicine	$38,976	$51,221
  UC San Diego School of Medicine	$40,945	$53,190
  UC San Francisco School of Medicine	$38,521	$50,766
  Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science	$13,180	$13,180
  Stanford University School of Medicine	$64,901	$64,901
  Loma Linda University School of Medicine	$65,226	$65,226
  Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine	$0	$0
  Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine	$61,380	$61,380
  Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine	$63,008	$63,008
  California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine	$59,975	$59,975

  Additionally, you need to factor in the cost of medical school applications, which can add up across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Learn more: How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.

  Plus, there are many other factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, exercise, and events—all of which are higher in California compared to pretty much every state besides New York.

  How to Apply to California Medical Schools

  Unlike medical schools in Texas, California does not have its own application system. If you want to apply to allopathic medical schools in California, you will use AMCAS. Unless you plan to apply to osteopathic schools in California, in which case you’ll need to apply through AACOMAS. More on that below.

  Here’s what you need to know about the allopathic (MD) application process.

  1 | Application Deadlines

  The AMCAS application typically opens during the first week of May for the following academic year’s medical school class. However, AMCAS submissions don’t open until the end of May or early June, so you have around a month to prepare the application. If you want to begin medical school in the fall of 2025, you’ll need to start the application process in the spring of 2024.

  Secondary applications will arrive around two to four weeks after you submit your primary application. These should be completed ASAP—ideally no more than 7-14 days after you receive them.

  Anticipate interview invitations to start arriving between August and September. They will continue to arrive throughout the fall and winter until the spring of the following year.

  While technical deadlines for applications and secondary materials are provided by AMCAS, these do not represent the timeline you need to follow for your best chance at success.

  Applying early is one of the most essential medical school admission strategies, as both allopathic and osteopathic schools use rolling admissions, which means applications are reviewed as soon as they come in. The quickest applicants secure the first secondaries and interview spots, and these fill up fast. The later you submit your application, the worse your chances.

  

  2 | Application Requirements

  There are several different components of your AMCAS application.

  You will need your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven, persuasive personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and an impressively varied and detailed Work and Activities section. Each of these components requires a major time investment.

  In order to earn a high GPA, you need to apply yourself throughout college.

  Earning a high score on the MCAT requires three months of full-time studying or six months of part-time studying.

  Writing your personal statement is a lengthy process, not only in the initial writing phase, but also to allow time for feedback, editing, and proofreading.

  Getting at least four strong letters of recommendation requires you to cultivate four strong relationships over the course of your college career or even earlier.

  The Work and Activities section also takes time to craft, which is in addition to the actual time spent dedicated to the activities. You have space to write about 15 experiences, activities, awards, or hobbies, and admissions committees are specifically looking for longitudinal commitment to these activities, which means you need to get started early.

  3 | Preparation Timeline

  Since it takes so much time to prepare each of your application components, it is essential that you begin this process as early as possible.

  Join the extracurriculars that interest you early on in college. Experiment to see what you like, but keep in mind that admissions committees are chiefly looking for activities in three key areas: research, clinical experience, and volunteering.

  Start thinking about which supervisors and professors you connect with most during your first year. If you are particularly inspired by a professor, visit their office hours and express enthusiasm for their class by asking thoughtful questions. Ask if they are involved in a research project, and if it interests you, ask if you can help out.

  Writing your personal statement and requesting letters of recommendation should occur many months before applications open. It will take time to write a persuasive personal statement and develop a narrative for your application. It’s also important to give your letter writers as much time as possible, as they’re very busy with their own lives and careers and likely writing letters for other students as well.

  Bottom line, you should be thinking about your application early on in college, no matter what schools you’re applying to, as in addition to fulfilling your medical school prerequisites, you also need to cultivate relationships with potential letter writers and devote many hours to your extracurriculars.

  Keep on top of each of your medical school application deadlines with our comprehensive Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)

  Applying to DO Medical Schools in California

  If you are applying to one of the three osteopathic (DO) schools in California, you will need to use the AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service). It’s the centralized online application service for colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States.

  AACOMAS follows a very similar timeline to AMCAS, with applications opening around the start of May each year.

  The AACOMAS process is much the same as AMCAS, though there are some key differences. To start, you do not need quite as high of a GPA or MCAT score. But don’t let that factor alone make your decisions. Your AACOMAS personal statement must address why you want to be an osteopath specifically, and you also must include at least one letter or recommendation from a DO. You will still need to collect a range of extracurriculars, but how you write about them on the AACOMAS application will differ slightly.

  Learn about AMCAS vs. AACOMAS Application Differences, as well as the ins and outs of the osteopathic application with our comprehensive AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools.

  Tips to Gain Acceptance at California Medical Schools

  

  1 | Be Prepared for Diversity Questions

  There is a ton of diversity in California, from the patient population all the way up to the student body itself. There are few places as diverse as the state of California, and that means Californian medical schools emphasize how you will add to and integrate into the student body and surrounding communities in the application process.

  This doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage if you don’t come from a diverse or underprivileged background. Keep in mind that diversity can mean a whole range of different things, from your geographic background to how you grew up to any adversity you faced, and so much more. Has someone from an underprivileged group touched your life in some way? What did that relationship teach you? Are you aware of conscious and unconscious bias in the world and the healthcare system specifically?

  Additionally, California’s emphasis on diversity means schools expect premeds to be empathetic and understanding of all types of backgrounds and upbringings. It is very likely you will serve and work with minority or underserved groups within California as you train to become a doctor.

  2 | Craft a Cohesive Narrative Across Your Application

  Each component of your application must complement the other and come together to tell your personal journey to medicine. Crafting a cohesive narrative that details this journey will entice admissions committees to learn more about you beyond your academic qualifications.

  And we don’t mean just your personal statement—each piece of your application must serve your overall narrative of why you want to become a doctor. A story is much more compelling and easier to remember than dry facts.

  While your qualifications and accomplishments matter greatly, admissions committees can see these on your CV, so don’t list them again in your essays or your personal statement. Focus on the people and events in your life that made you who you are today and have led you to apply to medical school. What about your life has crystalized your ambition to become a doctor?

  Your medical school application is telling a story—your story. What story do you want to tell? Think about the common thread you want to weave throughout the application. Do not repeat yourself; each component should complement and enhance the other with fresh insights and new anecdotes.

  Developing a unique and persuasive narrative will take time, so get started as soon as possible. Deeply reflect on your past. What phenomenal triumphs or heart-breaking setbacks led you here? Be authentic. Admissions committees want to know the real you. Everyone has faced hard times in their lives. How have the struggles you’ve encountered made you a stronger person?

  Demonstrate your maturity and growth with honest stories from your past, and make sure each personal story you share is fresh and supports the overall narrative of your application.

  3| Choose Schools Based on Fit Over Prestige

  While attending a prestigious school is certainly appealing, what’s more important is choosing a school that’s the right fit for you. And that means RESEARCH.

  This is where the MSAR comes in handy. The MSAR provides detailed information about the program’s demographics, teaching methodologies, campus life, and much more.

  Do you like the program’s approach to medical education? Do you have a preference for how you are graded? Do you find yourself gravitating to programs geared toward getting students in the clinic or would you prefer more of a research focus? Are you searching for a specific class size or learning environment? Do they offer the extracurriculars you’re more interested in?

  If you’re really excited about a program in particular, dig deeper than the MSAR. Seek out graduates of the program as well as current students and ask them about their experience. Did they find it easy to make friends? Were classes small enough that they were able to regularly interact one-on-one with the professor, or did they feel like just another brick in the wall?

  If you’re only considering the name of the school rather than how well the program fits your wants and needs, you’re setting yourself up for some very challenging years that may not feel very rewarding.

  There are 13 medical schools in California, so do your research, and only select programs that fit your learning style and interests.

  4 | Consider All Costs and Make a Budget Early On

  California is a demographically diverse coastal state known for Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Silicon Valley, and much, much more. The large state holds beaches, mountain ranges, desert, and impressive forests with trees over 1000 years old. But this impressive lifestyle is costly.

  Unless you’re moving from New York City, your cost of living will skyrocket. As of 2023, California ranks fourth out of the highest cost of living states in the US.

  No matter where you go to school, tuition is expensive. However, tuition is far from the only cost of medical school. The application process itself is costly, and you must budget and plan for accommodation, transportation, social events, study resources, exam fees, and food.

  If you’re moving to California from another state, expect your everyday expenses to be much higher. If you’re used to spending $14 or $15 for lunch, expect to spend $18 or $19. If you’re used to buying something at Costco for $14.99, expect it to be more like $16.99. While it may sound like just a few dollars here and there, these costs continue to add up, and it’s something you need to plan for in advance if you hope to live in California for four or more years.

  Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in California Right For You?

  The near-constant warm and sunny weather in California will do wonders for your disposition. The weather is very predictable in both NorCal and SoCal, which can make life more enjoyable and prevent seasonal depression. With plenty to do, a great climate, and impressive natural landscapes, it’s hard to beat living and studying in California—but those benefits come at a cost.

  Living in California is expensive compared to other states, including housing costs, groceries, leisure activities, and transportation, on top of your already notably high tuition costs. Carefully consider your own finances as well as any academic aid you might have available to you when considering California medical schools.

  Lastly, above all, do plenty of research early on to learn whether or not each California school is a good fit for you. Feeling comfortable in the city you’ll live in for four or more years, as well as aligning with the goals of the school, its teaching styles, values, etc., is far more important than school prestige.

  What makes you different from the other candidates applying to California schools? Gaining an acceptance at your top choice schools requires more than checking off boxes. Adcoms are looking for diverse, well-rounded students who will enhance and expand the student population at their school.

  Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand out application that will get you noticed by California medical schools. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of each student because we understand that every applicant has a unique set of needs. Learn more about our comprehensive medical school application packages.

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