A rigorous three-year accelerated track through medical school for students committed to careers in primary care.

We use the term primary care to include General Internal Medicine and Family Medicine. As the program grows, we will expand to address other areas of workforce need, such as General Pediatrics and Psychiatry.

There are more similarities than differences between the two programs. ACE-PC students will complete all of the same pre-clerkship requirements as students in the four-year M.D. program. ACE-PC students will also complete all six traditional clerkship rotations – although the timing and duration will differ slightly. The classic fourth year of medical school is shortened and includes only two acting internships and one elective rotation.

For students who know that they will pursue a career in primary care after medical school, ACE-PC allows them to earn the M.D. degree and gain the competencies for a primary care internship through a three-year tailored track rather than the classic four-year program. ACE-PC students will work very hard but will have one less year in medical school. ACE-PC students start working in Kaiser primary care clinics the first week of starting the program and will continue these clinics for 3 years.

Students will be immersed in Kaiser's integrated health care system and patient-centered medical home model to promote seamless integration between medical education and clinical practice. Unique curricular content will include population management, chronic disease management, quality improvement, patient safety, team-based care and preventive health skills with special emphasis on diverse and underserved populations.

Classes start six weeks before the classic orientation. 

We will admit 6-10 students into the ACE-PC program each year.

Yes. Like the four-year M.D. program students, you will also have a 2-week winter break each year.

You must first be accepted into the classic four-year M.D. program. You will be invited to express an interest in the ACE-PC program on the UCDSOM secondary application. Once accepted to the UCDSOM four-year M.D. program, you may be invited to submit a formal application to the ACE-PC program.

Residency positions are available in family medicine primary care internal medicine. We are working to expand our partnerships to include other primary care and non-primary care careers.

Our curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students for primary care residency and practice. If, after matriculation, you decide to pursue a specialty other than primary care, you may transfer to the traditional four-year M.D. program and will lose the financial support associated with enrollment in ACE-PC.  It is strongly recommended that you feel quite certain about your primary care career intent before applying to ACE-PC.

Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be moved into the four-year M.D. program.

You acceptance offer to the four-year M.D. program will not be affected.

Annual tuition costs will be identical to the tuition costs associated with the four-year M.D. program, with the exception that the first year cost will be slightly higher since ACE-PC students will be starting six weeks earlier.

You will be eligible for the same financial aid packages offered to the four-year M.D. pathway students provided you complete the financial aid application. Students will first receive a financial aid package covering their four years of school at UC Davis. Your financial aid package will be revised into the three-year pathway if you are accepted into ACE-PC.

Arra Jane Soriano, M.Ed.
Manager, Workforce Programs and Innovation
ajsoriano@ucdavis.edu