• new class

    2022-23 UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program Students

California Postbaccalaureate Consortium application will open in January 2024

If considering our program please fill out FAFSA / CA Dream act application by March 2, 2024!


Angelica Headshot "I truly believe that the UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program not only helps individuals reach their dreams of becoming physicians, but it also helps create the next generation of healthcare leaders."

Angelica Martin
Postbacc Class of 2017-2018
TEACH-MS Scholar
UC Davis School of Medicine, Class of 2023

Mission Statement

To prepare educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged students to matriculate into medical school. Through training in principles of inclusion, diversity and equity, our graduates will gain necessary skills to improve the health of diverse patients and communities.

Program Description

The UC Davis School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program is a one-year program designed to help educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged students become more competitive applicants to medical school. We accept first-time applicants to medical school and reapplicants.

The year-long program has three major components: MCAT preparation, the academic year and the medical school application. During the summer, students prepare for the MCAT by developing test-taking strategies and study skills. During the academic year, students enroll full-time in upper-division biological science courses on the UC Davis undergraduate campus and receive guidance on the medical school application and interview processes through a series of workshops and individual appointments.

We provide continued learning skills support throughout the academic year and meet weekly to discuss current issues related to health care disparities.

The program accepts an average of 20 students per cohort.

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.

Araiye Medlock
"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 »

Maria Headshot
"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 five California Postbaccalaureate Programs through the CA Postbaccalaureate Consortium. The online application opens in January 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.

Luis Headshot
"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.

85% matriculate into medical school, 93% enter physician workforce, 49.7% enter Primary Care, 72% practice in California, 17% work in Health Professions shortage areas, and 10% work in medically underserved areas

Where Our Students Go


CA Postbaccalaureate students have gained admissions into 320 medical schools from since 1998. Listed below are the schools that admitted students from our program.

Medical School Acceptance

Cincinnati

Temple University

Commonwealth MC

Tulane University

Creighton University SOM

University of Arizona-Tucson

Drexel University

University of Illinois- Chicago

Albert Einstein College of Medicine MD/PHD

University of Iowa- Carver

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

University of Michigan

Georgetown University

University of Missouri- Columbia

Howard University

University of North Dakota

Indiana University SOM

University of Rochester

Kansas University SOM

University of Utah

Louisville

University of Washington

Loyola University-Chicago

University of California, Davis

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of California, Davis- ACE PC

Meharry Medical College

University of California, Davis- Reach

Michigan State

University of California, Davis- Teach MS

Minnesota

University of California, Irvine

Morehouse College

University of California, Irvine- Prime

New York  Medical College

UCLA Drew

New York University

UCLA Geffen

Oklahoma

UCLA Prime

Oregon Health & Science University

UCSD

OU Beaumont/ Wright State

UC Riverside

Pennsylvania State University

UCSF

Quinnipiac University

UCSF Prime

St. Louis University

University of Minnesota

SUNY Upstate NY

University of Southern California-Keck

SUNY Downstate NY

Wayne State

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? 

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? 

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


headshot of Olivia Campa

Olivia Campa, M.D.

Faculty Director, UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program
Assistant Professor of Medicine

Email: hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu

 

Nancy Galindo Undergraduate Initiaitves Program Coordinator
Email: hs-postbacc@ucdavis.edu

 

headshot

Jose Morfin, M.D.

Faculty Director Emeritus, 2006-2018
Associate Professor of Medicine

Email: pbcentraladmin@ucdavis.edu