Undergraduate Programs

The Medical School Preparatory Enhancement Program (MSPEP) is a collaborative program between University of California Davis School of Medicine’s Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD) and California State University, Sacramento aimed to increase opportunities for socio-economically and educationally disadvantage students to pursue careers in medicine.

"Being in MSPEP gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my dream. The faculty and mentors guided me throughout the entire process and gave me resources to become a successful applicant and land exactly where I wanted to be.”

Erik Terriquez
MSPEP Class of 2019                            UC Davis School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate

Program Overview

Part I: Starting in January, students will participate in a 1 credit seminar course led by distinguished UC Davis School of Medicine faculty, staff, and current medical students. Typically, our seminar course is held in-person every Friday from 1-3 p.m. (PST)

Part II: During the summer, students will enroll in an intensive MCAT preparatory course (day long Monday through Friday course). Participants are provided a $1,500 stipend for their involvement in the program.

All students must participate in Part I and II. We discourage program participants from taking summer school classes or working during MCAT prep course.

Eligibility

• 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
• Must be a junior, senior, or recent graduate of California State University Sacramento or the University of California, Davis
• Minimum overall and BCPM GPA of 3.2
• Must have clinical experience
• Have demonstrated commitment to practice in the underserved communities of California
• Must be intending on taking MCAT in August/September of 2024

Application Process

Eligible students who wish to be considered should submit an online application. The online application will open on September 1, 2023. After completing the online application, all supplemental materials must be emailed to hs-OSRD@ucdavis.edu by the deadline using the subject header: MSPEP Application for {applicant last name, the applicant first name}. 

Essay Questions

1. Why are you interested in participating in the Medical School Preparatory Enhancement Program?
2. Describe a difficult situation you have had to overcome in your life or during your college academic experience. How do you feel this has prepared you for  a career in medicine?
3. Please describe activities that you have done that demonstrated your commitment to providing services to individuals from economically and medically disadvantaged communities. If have not completed these experiences, what do you hope to do in the future?

Supporting Materials

1. Letter of recommendation (letter writers are required to send the recommendation electronically to the following address: hs-OSRD@ucdavis.edu with the subject header: MSPEP Recommendation Letter for {applicant last name, applicant first name})
2. Copy of ALL college transcripts (can be unofficial)
3. Copy of financial aid award letter (can be unofficial)
4. Resume/CV
5. Completed GPA Calculator (access the AMCAS GPA calculator HERE)

Completed applications will be reviewed and if selected, applicants will be contacted directly for an interview.  For questions, please email hs-OSRD@ucdavis.edu.

In collaboration with the California Postbaccalaureate Consortium and California State University Sacramento, the California Wellness Foundation will offer scholarships for a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Preparatory Course. Applications to this course are available for current students and alumni within the California State University and University of California system.

Application Process

You may access the application using the following link on September 1, 2023: MCAT Scholarship Application.

Using the application, please address the following essay questions:

1. Why are you interested in participating in the MCAT Preparatory Scholarship program?
2. Describe a difficult situation you have overcome. How do you feel this has prepared you for a career in medicine?
3. What activities have you participated in or lead that demonstrate your commitment to providing services to individuals from economically and medically disadvantaged communities? If your experience is limited, what do you hope to do in the future?

Once you have completed the application, please submit the following supplemental material to pbcentraladmin@ucdavis.edu using the email subject line: 2023-2024 MCAT Preparatory Scholarship Program-PBC: Last Name, First Name

• Copy of financial aid award letter (can be unofficial)
• Resume/CV
• Copy of transcripts (can be unofficial)
• Completed GPA Calculator

Please note that all materials and a completed application must be emailed to pbcentraladmin@ucdavis.edu by the deadline.  Materials received after the deadline date will not be considered.

For further information about these programs and to make reservations, contact

Undergraduate and Community College Outreach Programs
Office of Student and Resident Diversity
UC Davis School of Medicine
4610 X Street, Suite 4101
Sacramento, CA 95817

Email: hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu