April 4, 2024
Written By
Michael Minh Le
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With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the country and a reputation for clinical excellence and public service, UCSF Medical School sets the bar high. If you’re here, you’re likely looking at your GPA, MCAT, and extracurriculars, and wondering if you can beat the odds.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting into UCSF. We’ll cover the UCSF Medical School acceptance rate, average GPA and MCAT scores, tuition, what makes the school unique, and more. You’ll even get the secondary essays, letters of recommendation requirements, and interview format specific to this school.
And if you're wondering what actually works, what a real UCSF admit submitted, there’s no need to guess. We’ve put together a free resource that includes eight full AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to schools like UCSF and UCLA. You’ll see exactly how UCSF admits structured their activities, personal statements, and secondaries so you can model what works.
Get your free resource here.
For the class of 2027, the UCSF School of Medicine received 8,776 applications. Out of those, just 161 students were admitted.
That means the UCSF medical school acceptance rate was around 1.8%. That means for every 100 applicants, only one or two actually make it in.
California residents do get a modest edge. About 77% of matriculants are California residents, with the remaining 23% coming from out of state.
Let’s break down the numbers.
For the class of 2027, the average GPA for accepted students was 3.88. The average MCAT score? A strong 516.
To put that in context: those stats are well above national med school matriculant averages (around 3.77 GPA and 511.7 MCAT). That means if you want to be a serious contender, you’ll need to show up academically.
That said, UCSF doesn’t enforce a strict cutoff for GPA or MCAT. But in practice, applicants with section scores below 125 or a GPA under 3.0 are unlikely to be competitive.
To be considered for admission, you must:
UCSF applicants must also complete the following coursework:
These are the minimum requirements. In reality, most competitive applicants go well beyond them with upper-level science courses.
Yes, but it’s tough. UCSF does consider international applicants, but California residents are strongly preferred. Non-residents and international students are accepted at much lower rates.
UCSF’s MD program runs on the Bridges Curriculum: a four-year track broken into three distinct phases that build you into a physician who thinks, leads, and heals.
Foundations 1: Your launchpad. You’ll dive deep into the science behind medicine. Think anatomy, biochem, and pathophys. But during this time, you’ll still have one foot in the clinic.
Foundations 2: This is your clinical immersion. You’re now part of a care team. You'll revisit the science, but now it’s connected to real patients, real rounds, and real decisions.
Career Launch: You choose your path. Whether it’s primary care, surgery, or research, this phase is tailored to your goals. You’ll pick clinical electives and complete a scholarly project that sharpens your edge.
On top of that, UCSF weaves in a few powerful extras: a longitudinal clinical skills course (Clinical Microsystems Clerkship), structured mentorship, and an Inquiry Curriculum that trains you to ask the hard scientific questions. It’s rigorous, flexible, and purpose-built to launch top-tier physicians.
For the 2023–2024 academic year, here’s what it costs to attend UCSF as a med student:
Total: $87,986 per year, but that’s just if you’re in-state.
Out-of-state students? You’ll tack on an extra $12,245 in tuition, bringing your total to $100,231.
But there is good news: 85% of the class of 2027 received financial aid, and UCSF is known for aggressively supporting its students with scholarships and grants. This is especially true if you show strong academic promise or financial need.
Some of the biggest boosts include the Regents Scholarship, one of UCSF’s top merit-based awards, and the University Grant, a need-based package that covers a significant chunk of your tuition if you qualify. There are also targeted scholarships like the Jayne M. Perkins Foundation Scholarship and TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship, both awarded to current UCSF students in recent years.
Here’s the thing: UCSF isn’t just looking for perfect stats. They want future physician-leaders—people who are academically sharp, yes, but also deeply committed to public service, health equity, and innovation in patient care. If your story reflects that, and you know how to tell it well, you’ll have a shot.
In the sections below, we’ll break down exactly what UCSF is looking for in your personal statement, secondary essays, interview, and more.
Your personal statement isn’t just a chance to say why you want to be a doctor. It’s your shot to tell your story.
If you say you're passionate about healthcare access, have you volunteered at a free clinic or worked with underserved communities? If you talk about loving science and problem-solving, have you done research or shadowed in a specialty that challenged you to think critically?
Too many applicants write about big ideals but can’t point to specific, lived experiences that prove them. So, before you write a word, ask yourself: What do I actually care about? And where in my life have I shown it? Build your personal statement around that. That’s your narrative.
Once your primary application is in, UCSF sends out secondary prompts that give you a chance to show how your values, background, and goals align with theirs. Here’s what they asked in the last cycle, and how to approach each one:
1. “If you wish to update or expand upon your activities, you may provide additional information below.” (500 words)
How to address it: Think of this like a supplemental Activities & Experiences section. You can highlight recent developments like new leadership roles, deeper impact in your volunteer work, a publication, anything that matters. Be concise, but don’t underestimate specifics: quantify your contribution, describe your role, and connect it back to your future goals. This is another way to show why you're ready for UCSF.
2. “If you are a 2023 or earlier college graduate, please use the space below to tell us what you have done since completing your undergraduate degree.” (350 words)
How to address it: This prompt is your “gap-year narrative.” Don’t just list job titles or hours. Choose one or two meaningful experiences—clinical, research, public service—and frame them as stories: the challenge you faced, how you responded, what you learned. This section should show growth, maturity, and purposeful preparation for med school.
3. “Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? Please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your community.” (500 words)
How to address it: This is a diversity and equity essay. If it applies to you, share how your identity or circumstances have shaped your perspective and fueled your commitment to service. Use specific examples, maybe mentoring first-gen students, addressing food insecurity, or community outreach. Connect your lived experience to UCSF’s mission in healthcare equity.
4. “UCSF PRIDE values serve as a guiding light for institutional life and activities. Briefly describe how you will contribute and support one of our PRIDE values that is consistent with your goals or life experience.” (500 words)
How to address it: UCSF’s PRIDE values stand for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence. First, pick one that genuinely resonates with your story. Then, show, not tell, how you embody it.
For example: “Diversity: as a bilingual volunteer educator in immigrant communities, I….” The best answers reveal alignment between who you are, what you’ve done, and what UCSF stands for.
UCSF requires 3 to 5 letters of recommendation, and they’re serious about quality. At least two should come from science faculty or research mentors who’ve taught or supervised you. If your school offers a committee or packet letter, UCSF prefers that.
Your best letters come from people who know you well and can tell specific stories like how you led a project, handled feedback, or stood out in tough moments. It’s not about titles. It’s about insight.
Ask early. Give your writers your CV, personal statement, and key points you want them to highlight. Letters must be submitted through the AMCAS Letter Service, and you should waive your right to read them (UCSF expects confidentiality).
Once you’ve made it this far, UCSF invites you to two closed‑file virtual interviews (usually via Zoom), each about 40 minutes long. Here’s what you can expect:
Your interviewers won’t have your actual file in front of them, so talk clearly about your experiences, background, and essays. Be prepared to explain “why” and “how” behind everything in your application.
UCSF relies on conversational one-on-ones, not a full Multiple Mini Interview. Some scenario-based questions might pop up, often focused on urban care settings (e.g., language barriers, homelessness).
Also, be ready to answer questions about current healthcare challenges, especially those impacting Bay Area populations and broader issues like health equity and policy.
Thinking about applying to UCSF? Timing is critical. UCSF does not follow a rolling admissions model. Deadlines are hard. No extensions. That means it’s critical that you stay ahead of the curve. Here's a typical application timeline for UCSF:
If you’re going to spend four of the most intense years of your life somewhere, you want to make sure the fit is right on both sides. Here’s how to know if you belong at UCSF.
What UCSF Does Exceptionally Well:
Where UCSF Might Not Be the Best Fit:
UCSF is one of the most competitive and mission-driven medical schools in California, but it’s not the only option. Below, you’ll find guides we’ve created for other top medical schools in California to help you figure out which ones align best with your goals, values, and learning style.
California University of Science and Medicine
California Northstate University
Let’s be honest: when the UCSF Medical School acceptance rate is under 2%, it’s hard not to wonder: Am I really competitive enough?
That’s why at Premed Catalyst, we’ve pulled together a free, behind-the-scenes resource featuring eight real AMCAS applications that led to acceptances at top med schools, including UCSF. These aren’t generic templates. These are full, successful applications with real stats, personal statements, and secondary essays from students who beat the odds.
Get your free resource here.
