Getting into UC San Diego School of Medicine
UC San Diego School of Medicine is a public UC program in La Jolla that reviews applicants holistically, leans into health-equity training through PRIME, and — refreshingly — treats its prerequisites as recommendations, not gates. No admission odds here, just verified facts and how to read them.
Updated September 2026 · 2026–2027 cycle · figures cited to UC San Diego's official admissions pages
What is UC San Diego's mission — and what does it signal?
UCSD frames its MD program around holistic review and training physicians who serve California's diverse communities — a signal reinforced by its PRIME track and its emphasis on the "nature and depth" of your experiences, not just numbers.1 If your path includes real service to under-resourced communities, that's the story UCSD is built to hear.
What makes UCSD distinctive?
A few things stand out.3 UCSD runs PRIME (a health-equity–focused pathway), a strong MSTP physician-scientist program, and specialized tracks like CIMAC and GHAC. And its prerequisite policy is unusually flexible: the sciences are recommended, not mandatory, and "applicants that are missing any of these courses will still be considered."2 That's a genuine opening for non-traditional applicants.
What GPA and MCAT does UC San Diego look for?
The Class of 2025 posted an average GPA of 3.83 and an average total MCAT of 514.4, across 140 students. A science GPA is not available.1 Those are averages for an accomplished class, not a bar to clear. As a public UC, most of the class (about 74%) are California residents, so residency shapes the pool more than at a private school.
How does UCSD review applicants — and what does it ask for?
Review is explicitly holistic — academic record, MCAT, the depth of your activities, letters, and the interview together.1 UCSD asks for at least three individual letters or a single committee letter (up to five).2 Confirm the current cycle's CASPer or AAMC PREview expectations on the UCSD page before applying.
Does UCSD use the MMI — and what is the interview like?
UCSD uses a virtual multiple-mini-interview (MMI) — applicants "rotate between 8 different rooms," each a short station.2 The MMI rewards clear, humane thinking on your feet across situational and ethical prompts. You can't memorize your way through it, but you can absolutely rehearse the format until it feels familiar.
How much does UC San Diego cost?
UCSD is a public UC, so MD tuition is set at the UC resident and nonresident rates — California residents pay materially less than nonresidents, and the school notes it is substantially less expensive than comparable private schools, with strong scholarship support (about 70% of students receive scholarship or stipend support).1 UCSD publishes the current tuition and cost-of-attendance figures on its official cost page — confirm the exact numbers there.4
A holistic public school that means it about flexibility.
UCSD pairs a genuine health-equity mission with a rare, applicant-friendly stance: recommended (not required) prereqs and a holistic read. The averages are the middle of a strong, mostly-California class, not a gate. If you can show real service and clear thinking under pressure, that's the story UCSD is built to hear. A read on fit, not a prediction — we publish no odds.
See exactly where you stand — at UC San Diego and every school on your list
Preceptorly is admissions software built by a practicing physician. It matches your real numbers to each school's published averages — never fake odds — and coaches the parts that actually decide your cycle:
Keep going
Frequently asked
What GPA and MCAT do you need for UC San Diego School of Medicine?
The Class of 2025 posted an average GPA of 3.83 and an average total MCAT of 514.4. A science GPA is not available. These are class averages, not cutoffs, and UCSD reviews holistically.
Does UC San Diego use an MMI?
Yes. UCSD uses a virtual multiple-mini-interview with 8 short stations, rather than a single traditional interview.
Are prerequisites required at UCSD?
No — UCSD lists the sciences as recommended, not mandatory, and states that applicants missing a course will still be considered. Confirm the current recommendations on the UCSD site.
Does UC San Diego prefer California residents?
As a public UC, most of the class (about 74%) are California residents, so residency shapes the applicant pool more than at a private school. UCSD still enrolls out-of-state students.
How much is tuition at UC San Diego School of Medicine?
UCSD is a public UC with resident and nonresident tuition rates; California residents pay materially less. Confirm the current published figures on UCSD's official cost-of-attendance page.
What is the PRIME program?
PRIME is UCSD's health-equity–focused pathway that trains physicians to serve underserved communities, alongside its MSTP physician-scientist program and other specialized tracks.
Sources — UC San Diego official pages
- Entering-class averages, class size & residency ("By The Numbers"): medschool.ucsd.edu — by the numbers
- Application process, interview (MMI), letters & prerequisites: medschool.ucsd.edu — application process
- MD program, PRIME/MSTP tracks & mission: medschool.ucsd.edu — MD admissions
- Tuition & cost of attendance (confirm current figure): medschool.ucsd.edu — cost & financial aid
Preceptorly is not affiliated with this school and does not represent it. Figures are the school's own most recently published class data and are averages, medians, or ranges as labeled — not cutoffs. No acceptance rate or admission odds are shown or implied; this page does not predict admission. Tuition is the published tuition line only, before fees, insurance, and living costs. Always confirm current requirements and figures on the school's official pages.