Characteristics of Accepted Applicants Policy

PURPOSE
To outline the characteristics of accepted applicants to the UC Davis School of Medicine (i.e., the School).

AUDIENCE
Prospective applicants and all faculty, staff, students, and other representatives participating in the School’s admission process

LCME STANDARD
10.4 Characteristics of Accepted Applicants

POLICY
The School's Admissions Committee reviews each applicant’s experiences, attributes, and metrics as related to our core student physician (graduation) competencies:

  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • Medical Knowledge
  • Patient Care and Procedural Skills
  • Practice Based Learning and Improvement
  • Professionalism
  • System-Based Practice

PROCEDURE

  1. The School uses the Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) holistic review process in application reviews.
  2. The current list of attributes was developed in 2012 and approved by the Admissions Committee.
    1. The attributes are reviewed annually.
    2. Revisions are approved as needed.
  3. Once the completed application has been received, all evaluative admissions processes include a review of the following personal and professional attributes of the applicant.
    1. Experiences
      1. Health-care experience
      2. Research experience 
      3. Leadership experience
      4. Community service
      5. Educational background
      6. Experience working in inter-professional teams
      7. Life experiences (e.g., obstacles overcome)
    2. Attributes
      1. Geographic origin (e.g., rural or medically underserved area)
      2. Resilience
      3. Motivation for a medical career 
      4. Intellectual curiosity
      5. Communication skills, including listening and empathy
      6. Languages spoken, particularly by underserved patient populations
      7. Critical thinking skills, including problem-solving
      8. Professional responsibility and accountability
      9. Values and ethical beliefs 
      10. Self-assessment and improvement skills
      11. Altruism and compassion
      12. Appreciation for diverse perspectives 
      13. Ability to work in inter-professional teams
      14. Honesty and integrity
    3. Metrics
      1. Undergraduate grades, grade trends, and course load
      2. Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score and AAMC PREview Exam score
      3. Performance in a post-baccalaureate and/or graduate degree program
  4. Personal attributes of applicants are assessed in the preliminary screening, selection for interview, interview, acceptance decision, and waitlist stages.

RESPONSIBILITY
Admissions Committee

REFERENCES

School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Bylaws 4.2221 and 4.2222, and Regulation 50

RELATED POLICY(IES)
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Policy
Final Authority of the Admissions Committee
Premedical Requirements Policy
Student Selection Policy
Technical Standards Policy

POLICY OWNER
Admissions Committee

REVIEWED BY
Admissions Committee*

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
July 2026, annual review cycle

* indicates the Policy Owner