April 3, 2024
Written By
Michael Minh Le
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When your dream is a place like UCLA Medical School, it’s hard not to feel like you’re already behind. You’re juggling GPA stress, MCAT burnout, and a growing list of extracurriculars that somehow still feel “not enough.” You’ve checked Reddit more times than you’d admit, hoping someone will just say what it really takes to get into a T20 medical school. And every time you see the UCLA Medical School acceptance rate it feels a little bit more impossible.
At Premed Catalyst, we know UCLA Medical School admissions because this is where I got accepted. In this guide we’re going to cut through the noise and give you the exact advice I used to earn my white coat. We’ll cover the average GPA and MCAT, the UCLA Medical School acceptance rate, the application timeline, and a strategy specific to UCLA.
At Premed Catalyst, we’ve lived through this chaos. Which is why we created the resource we wish we had when we were premeds. And we made it free. You’ll get eight full AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to UCLA, UCSF, and other top programs. Real stories, real stats, which means zero guesswork for you.
Get your free resource here.
Want a bigger picture of the entire premed process? Our free workshop guides you step by step through med school admissions. Learn how to become what AdComs are really looking for here.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: getting into the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM) is competitive. For the 2028 entering class, UCLA received a staggering 11,326 applications. Out of those, only 177 students matriculated.
That puts the UCLA Medical School acceptance rate at approximately 1.56%.
And no, it’s not because you’re competing against California residents. DGSOM doesn’t favor in-state students. Whether you’re from Los Angeles or Long Island, the bar is high for everyone.
DGSOM students are academic beasts.
The average GPA for admitted students? 3.8.
The average MCAT score? 514.
To put that in perspective, national med school matriculant averages hover around a 3.77 GPA and a 511.7 MCAT. So yes, UCLA students are at the top of the game. That said, UCLA doesn’t set strict cutoffs. But if you’re bringing in a sub-3.3 GPA or MCAT sections dipping below 126, then consider UCLA a reach school and focus on making your narrative as compelling as possible.
Unlike most med schools, UCLA doesn’t box you into a list of rigid prerequisites. Instead, they want to see competence in key areas, and how you get there is up to you.
Here’s what they’re looking for:
They also value experiences in clinical care, research, community engagement, and a demonstrated understanding of the healthcare system.
Before you hit “submit,” make sure you’re actually eligible to apply to UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Here’s what you need to know:
Yes, UCLA evaluates all applicants equally, whether you’re in-state, out-of-state, or international. There’s no special process or hidden bias. What matters is what you bring to the table, not where you’re from.
The UCLA Medical School's MD curriculum, known as the HEALS Curriculum, is designed to train the next generation of physicians with a focus on integrating new and emerging content into medical education.
Students may choose between two pathways to have a more focused educational experience. These are:
Additionally, there are some alternatives to getting your MD beyond the traditional path. You may also opt for:
Overall, UCLA Medical School's MD curriculum is continually updated to include new and emerging content, ensuring that students are exposed to the latest advancements in medical science. In contrast to many other institutions, they are introduced to clinical rotations much earlier than in traditional curriculums. Also, it's worth noting that the program allocates dedicated time for students to engage in research, dual degree programs, electives, and advocacy work, providing a flexible and comprehensive educational experience tailored to their diverse interests and career goals.
UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine is a top-tier institution, and the cost reflects that. For the 2025 academic year, in-state students can expect to pay around $45,000 annually in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students are looking at closer to $57,000 per year.
Add in living expenses, books, equipment, and those endless coffee runs, and the total annual cost rises to about $80,000–$90,000.
But here’s the part no one tells you: not everyone pays full price. In fact, nearly 90% of UCLA med students receive some form of financial aid.
There are three main buckets of funding:
The brutal truth? UCLA is expensive, but it’s also one of the most generous med schools in the country if you’re competitive. And if you're going to rack up six figures of debt, you'd better be doing it at a place that gives you the best shot at matching into your dream specialty.
This isn’t just another med school. UCLA is a launchpad. If you’re aiming to match into competitive specialties, land top residencies, or work at the intersection of medicine and social impact, then this is the place that gets you there.
Here’s why:
L.A. isn’t just palm trees and paparazzi. It's one of the most diverse cities in the world economically, culturally, and medically. You’ll treat patients who speak different languages all the way from Skid Row to Santa Monica. If you're passionate about health equity, global health, or underserved communities, this is ground zero.
UCLA Health consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the country. But it doesn’t stop at Westwood. Med students rotate through over a dozen clinical sites, including public hospitals, private clinics, VA centers, and community health organizations. That means by the time you apply for residency, your clinical experiences are as broad as they are deep.
UCLA is one of the few med schools in the nation offering a merit-based full ride. That’s tuition, fees, and a living stipend with no repayment, no service commitment. These are insanely competitive, but if you’re a top applicant, it’s a game-changer.
You're not just encouraged to do research. You’re expected to. And when you're at a school that pulls in over $1 billion a year in research funding, that means opportunities in everything from bench science to public health to AI in medicine. Want to publish in JAMA as a med student? At UCLA, that's not hype. It happens every year.
UCLA doesn’t just talk about community health. It backs it up with programs like the UCLA PRIME-LA track (for students committed to underserved communities) and DGSOM’s Global Health Program. If you care about medicine beyond the exam room, you’ll find your people here.
Getting into UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about telling a story that proves you belong in one of the most selective medical schools in the country. Here's how to make each part of your application stand out.
Your personal statement isn’t a summary. It’s a story. It’s your opportunity to show UCLA exactly who you are, what you care about, and why you’re ready to become the kind of doctor they’d be proud to train.
This is where you connect the dots. If you say you’re passionate about healthcare access, then your experiences should back it up. Did you organize a mobile clinic? Volunteer at a community health fair? Translate for underserved patients at a free clinic? That’s your proof.
Your values mean nothing on paper unless you’ve lived them.
After submitting your AMCAS application, you'll receive UCLA's secondary application, which includes several short-answer prompts. Each response is limited to 800 characters, so clarity and conciseness are key.
These essays are your opportunity to demonstrate how your experiences align with UCLA's mission and values.
Prompt 1:
At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, students are provided with curriculum and experiences enabling them to become an "Outstanding Physician, AND...," dedicating themselves to important societal missions. What missions do you want to embrace? What have you done toward your missions?
Identify a specific societal mission that resonates with you, such as addressing health disparities, advancing medical education, or improving access to care. Then, provide concrete examples of how you've engaged with this mission through your experiences.
Prompt 2:
Respond to the following and indicate how these areas of experience have impacted your progress toward your future career goals in relation to becoming an "Outstanding Physician, AND...".
A. Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity.
B. Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful.
C. Describe your most scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical science or in the humanities) and provide the total number of hours, dates, and advisor.
For each sub-prompt, select an experience that not only showcases your skills but also aligns with your overarching mission. Highlight the impact of these experiences on your development and future goals.
Prompt 3:
Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as other relevant information.
Be honest about the challenges you've faced due to the pandemic, whether they pertain to academics, personal circumstances, or professional opportunities. Emphasize your resilience and the strategies you've employed to overcome these obstacles.
Prompt 4:
Did you experience or are you anticipating time between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school? If yes, describe the activities in which you participated or are planning to participate. Examples include additional schooling, employment, or caring for a loved one.
If applicable, detail how you're utilizing this time to further your commitment to medicine through work, education, or personal growth. Focus on activities that reinforce your dedication to becoming a physician.
Optional Prompt:
Do you identify as being part of a group that has been marginalized (examples include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA, disabilities, federally recognized tribe) in terms of access to education or healthcare? If yes, describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community and how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community.
If this applies to you, share your experiences candidly, highlighting how they've shaped your perspective and commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare.
Applicants can submit 3 to 5 letters of recommendation to enter UCLA Medical School. The best letter writers for their application process are individuals who know the applicant well. This could be a professor, a peer, a mentor, or an employer. The key is to choose someone who can effectively highlight your qualities. The focus is not on the status of the letter writer but on their ability to convey your strengths and potential for medicine.
Overall, applicants should choose letters they believe will best support their application. It's important to note that while these guidelines are strongly recommended, they are not strict requirements.
Our full breakdown video will help you learn more about how to write great letters of recommendation for UCLA med school:
The interview allows UCLA to see if the person behind the application matches the story you told.
UCLA uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. That means instead of one long traditional interview, you’ll rotate through a series of short stations, each with its own scenario, question, or ethical dilemma. Think 7–10 mini interviews, each lasting around 5–8 minutes.
What UCLA is Evaluating:
The official timeline for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA varies slightly each year. However, the application process typically follows a consistent structure that includes:
Before you chase the prestige, ask yourself: is David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA the kind of place where you will thrive?
UCLA might be the perfect fit if you're passionate about community health, public service, and health equity. The David Geffen School of Medicine is deeply committed to serving underserved populations, both locally in Los Angeles and globally. If your journey to medicine is grounded in closing healthcare gaps and working directly with diverse patient populations, you’ll find that mission echoed in every corner of DGSOM, from their curriculum to their partnerships.
If you’re drawn to research and academic medicine, UCLA offers a powerhouse environment. With access to one of the most well-funded institutions in the country, students here can get involved in everything from basic science research to cutting-edge clinical trials and public health initiatives. The connections and resources are real, and if you’re thinking about a competitive residency or dual degree, that kind of support matters.
That said, UCLA might not be for everyone. If you're looking for a small, tight-knit cohort where professors know you by name, the class size of 175+ could feel overwhelming. You’ll need to be proactive to find mentorship and carve out your own space.
Cost of living is another factor. Living in Westwood, or anywhere near UCLA for that matter, comes with a hefty price tag. If you're not prepared to navigate the financial reality of med school in L.A., that stress can compound quickly.
In short: if you're independent, mission-driven, and excited to train in one of the most dynamic healthcare environments in the country, UCLA could be your place. But if you’re looking for something smaller, slower-paced, or more budget-friendly, it’s worth exploring other options.
UCLA might be your dream, but it’s far from your only option. Whether you’re building a school list or just want to understand what makes each program unique, it’s smart to compare across the board.
We’ve broken down everything you need to know about other medical schools in California, from admissions stats to what each school values most.
California University of Science and Medicine
California Northstate University
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
Let’s be real, getting into medical school isn’t just about stats and UCLA is no exception. It’s about strategy. If you’re struggling to choose experiences that actually matter, unsure how to frame your story, or constantly second-guessing whether you’re doing enough, then chances are you could be wasting your time. We’ve seen it happen before.
That’s why at Premed Catalyst we created a free, nearly 2-hour workshop designed to take you from “What the heck do I do next?” to “Here’s my game plan to become a standout premed.”
Inside, you’ll get a full, step-by-step blueprint built around how actual AdComs think. We’ll walk you through everything, from choosing the right extracurriculars to crafting a personal statement that actually moves people. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to shape your journey so that schools like UCLA see you as the kind of doctor they want to train.
Get the free workshop here.
