Postbaccalaureate Program

Student Commitment

Students are expected to commit full-time to this program. The three major components of the program include 36 units of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Math (BCPM), summer Medical College Admission Test preparation and the medical school application process.

• Academic Curriculum
  During the fall, winter and spring quarters, students enroll full-time at UC Davis in rigorous upper-division science courses. Attention is placed on addressing weaknesses in a student's preparatory background and in demonstrating success in a challenging academic environment. Each participant, in close consultation with program advisors, selects the course load. Additionally, throughout the academic year students attend a seminar series focused on application preparation, professional development, health disparities and an introduction to clinical reasoning.

• MCAT Preparation
  Students begin with a CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning) preparation during their Spring Quarter. In mid-June, students take a six-week session that consists of interactive instruction in learning skills and an intensive MCAT review course. Outside of class, students study in small groups and take turns teaching each other the concepts.

"An experience of total personal development, where I gained healthy coping skills and fruitful life-long connections. This program truly cultivated my belief that I can and will succeed in medical school."

Araiye Medlock
Postbacc Class 2018-2019
ARC-MD Scholar
UC Davis School of Medicine, Class of 2026

• Medical school application process
  Our program includes developing the medical school application with a writing specialist, selecting schools and preparing for interviews. In addition to workshops, individual advising is provided throughout the application process. A detailed letter of recommendation is provided for each student who completes the program successfully.

Housing

Students must secure their own housing for the program, but they receive a stipend after the academic year to help offset housing costs for the summer to focus on MCAT preparation.

Finances

The cost of the postbaccalaureate year centers on UC Davis undergraduate tuition and living expenses. Participants will work with the Financial Aid Office on the UC Davis Main Campus prior to beginning the program. Program participants are encouraged to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and The California Dream Act (if applicable) for optimal financial aid. It is highly recommended that students submit these applications by March 2. 

Download the UC Davis School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program Timeline »

"Thanks to the guidance and empowerment I received, I am a rising second year medical student involved in multiple leadership and mentorship positions. I am dedicated to becoming a physician who will diminish barriers and provide equitable health care access for underserved communities."

Maria Zepeda
Postbacc Class 2015-2016
Reach PRIME Scholar
UC Davis School of Medicine, Class of 2023

To be eligible for the program you must:

• Be a resident of California
• Be considered an educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged* student, and show evidence of a commitment to practice in a medically underserved community
• Have completed (or will complete before the program begins) an undergraduate degree (or higher) from an accredited American college or university
• Have completed the basic prerequisite coursework for medical school
  • 1 Year- Biology with lab
  • 1 Year- General Chemistry with lab
  • 1 Year- Organic Chemistry with lab
  • 1 Year- Physics with lab
  • Biochemistry is encouraged, but not required.
• Have an undergraduate and science GPA average of at least 2.7

* Our definition of socio-economically disadvantaged corresponds with that suggested by the American Medical College Application Service: from an early age, you resided in a low-income community or experienced enduring family and/or societal hardship that significantly compromised your educational opportunities.

AB-540, DACA, and Undocumented students are eligible to apply!

UC Davis School of Medicine Support for Undocumented Students 

Application

One FREE application is shared by six California Postbaccalaureate Programs through the CA Postbaccalaureate Consortium. The online application opens in December 2024. The CA  Postbaccalaureate Program will begin considering applications in January and will use a rolling admission policy, so it is to your advantage to apply early. The final deadline is posted on the application website, and all documents must be received (not postmarked) by that deadline. Deadlines for other CA Postbaccalaureate programs may vary; you are responsible for determining the application period and deadline for each program.

"This program offered resources that allowed me to identify my strengths and weaknesses as a student. I was able to use this knowledge to help optimize my studying and test-taking strategies that have helped me excel in medical school and in residency."

Luis Godoy, M.D. 
Postbacc Class 2009-10
Assistant Professor and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
UC Davis Department of Surgery 

Application components

• Online application

• All official college transcripts

• Three essays

• Personal Comment (2500 char.)
• Postbaccalaureate Essay (2500 char.)
• Community Service Essay (2500 char.)

• Three letters of recommendation

• One from a science faculty member, one from a community service experience, and one from the following list: 
  • Research Director or Principal Investigator (if you have research experience) 
  • Representative from volunteer program (if you have medical- related volunteer experience) 
  • Medical/Research Pathway Program Director (if you are a current participant or have completed a pathway program) 
  • Current employer 
  • Faculty member (science or non-science professor) 

Application Deadline

• First-time Applicant Deadline: March 27, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (PST)
  • Huwighurruk - Cal Poly Humboldt: May 3, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (PST)

What Our Students Do

Medical school admission committees recognize the competitiveness of our students. Roughly 85% of our students were offered admissions to medical schools across the U.S.

Where Our Students Go

UC Davis School of Medicine students have gained admission into various medical schools since 1998. Listed below are the schools that admitted students from our program attended.

Research and Publications

"UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program Outcomes Since 1991 

"A National Long-term Outcomes Evaluation of U.S. Premedical Postbaccalaureate Programs Designed to Promote Healthcare Access and Workforce Diversity"

"Specialty Choice and Practice Location of Physician Alumni of University of California Premedical Postbaccalaureate Programs "

"Do Postbaccalaureate Students Choose Primary Care? Preliminary Outcomes of a Systematic Review "

"Breaking Barriers for Underrepresented Minorities in the Health Professions"

How do I apply to the program? 

• The UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program is a part of the CA Postbaccalaureate Consortium therefore, application instructions can be found at https://health.ucdavis.edu/postbacc-consortium/.

When does the program start and what is the duration length of the program? 

• The program begins with an orientation in the fall before courses begin. Coursework follows the UC Davis main campus academic calendar beginning in September and ending in June. MCAT Preparation begins in June after coursework and goes into end of July, at this point, the program is considered completed but support will be available throughout your application cycle and beyond as you are now a part of a growing family!

Should I apply to your program if I have not completed/started my prerequisites for medical school? 

• The UC Davis Postbaccalaureate program is an academic enhancement post baccalaureate program and NOT a career changer program. Therefore, scholars are expected to have completed all (most with special circumstances discussed with coordinator) of the prerequisites for medical school and need an academic boost to be competitive for medical school.

What is the difference between first-time applicant and reapplicant? 

• A first-time applicant is an individual who has never applied to medical school while a reapplicant is an individual who previously applied to medical school and was unsuccessful in obtaining an admissions acceptance.

Is an MCAT score required to be considered for admission? 

• No. The MCAT exam is not required to be considered for admission to the program. 

Do UC Davis Postbaccalaureate scholars live on campus? 

• No. They are an off-campus student therefore, housing is secured independently by each student. Housing options can be found on UC Davis Housing social media pages as well as on various online housing sites. It is highly recommended that students live with cohort members to have a support system.

When does MCAT Prep begin? 

• MCAT Prep starts during the summer AFTER the academic school year. For example, a scholar in the 2022-2023 cohort will begin MCAT prep June 2023. The provided prep course is on average of six weeks long and students are encouraged to take the exam when they are most ready.

Do UC Davis Postbaccalaureate scholars take undergraduate courses or graduate courses?

• UC Davis Postbaccalaureate scholars take upper-division science undergraduate courses at the UC Davis main campus (in Davis) and attend a weekly seminar at the UC Davis Health, School of Medicine campus in Sacramento taught by medical education faculty and staff.

What is the cost of the program? 

• UC Davis Postbaccalaureate scholars are considered undergraduate level on the Davis campus. As a result, program fees are associated with UC Davis undergraduate/registration fees to attend for one year (length of program). Visit https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/cost for the current academic year’s information.

How do students finance the program? 

• Students use a variety of methods to finance the program. It is highly recommended that students apply early to financial aid (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) as full costs are not usually offset by student loans. Most students go through loans either provided through the university to a certain extent and/or private loans to cover remaining costs. Other avenues used in prior years include family/friend support, scholarship opportunities, savings, etc. Students are highly encouraged to submit their FAFSA or CA Dream Act by March 2. Depending on university funding in the given year, some funding may be available for program scholars.

Does the UC Davis Postbaccalaureate program have a linkage with the UC Davis School of Medicine? 

• The program does not an admission linkage with the UC Davis School of Medicine. Given that the mission statements of both programs align greatly, there are many  scholars who ultimately become students of the UC Davis School of Medicine.

Who do I contact if I have more questions? 

• HS-osrd@ucdavis.edu

Keep in Touch

The UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program creates a connection for life. Just because your year in the program has ended it does not mean you lose us! We know that you are all going to accomplish so many wonderful things. Help us to celebrate you and your accomplishments by staying in touch! 

Click here to stay connected! 

How to Request a Letter of Recommendation for Medical School Applications

To the best of our ability, the Office of Student and Resident Diversity, Post-baccalaureate Program will support your candidacy for medical school, awards, jobs, and other opportunities by providing a letter of recommendation (LOR) for you. Please follow the steps below to ensure that we can provide the letter in a timely manner.

When to Submit a Request for a Medical School Letter or Recommendation:

All requests for a letter or recommendation must be received at least six weeks before the application is due but no later than three weeks.  For those who do not request a letter at least three weeks before your application is due, a special exception will need to be requested from the Post-bac Director in writing.

What You’ll Need to Submit a Request:

1. Current resume or CV
2. Current Personal Statement
3. MCAT score or date of planned MCAT
4. Application due date

For all other letter or recommendation requests (e.g., for scholarships or jobs), please see instructions here.

How to Submit a Request:

Please send an email addressing all (4) of the points above to HS-osrd@ucdavis.edu with the Subject line “Letter of Recommendation Request—[Your Name]” at least six weeks before the application deadline.

If you have questions regarding the CA Postbaccalaureate Consortium or your application status, please contact: pbcentraladmin@ucdavis.edu