Rural ACE-PCP and ACE-PC FAQ's
ACE-PC is a rigorous three-year accelerated medical school track for students committed to careers in primary care.
We use the term "primary care" to include General Internal Medicine and Family Medicine.
ACE-PC students will complete all of the same pre-clerkship requirements as students in the four-year MD program. ACE-PC students will also complete all six traditional clerkship rotations – although the timing and duration will differ slightly. The traditional 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 MD degree and gain the competencies for a primary care internship through a three-year tailored track rather than the traditional four-year program. ACE-PC students will complete a rigorous curriculum at an accelerated rate, but will have one less year in medical school. ACE-PC students start working in Kaiser primary care clinics the first week of 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 traditional orientation.
We admit 6-10 students into the ACE-PC program each year.
Yes. Like the four-year MD program students, ACE-PC students will also have a 2-week winter break each year.
Interested applicants will apply through the UC Davis School of Medicine. Candidates may express an interest in the ACE-PC program via the UC Davis School of Medicine's secondary application.
Residency positions are available in family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine.
Our curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students for primary care residency and
Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be moved into the four-year MD program.
Students' acceptance offer to the four-year MD program will not be affected.
Annual tuition costs will be identical to the tuition costs associated with the four-year MD program, with the exception that the first year cost will be slightly higher since ACE-PC students will be starting six weeks earlier.
Students will be eligible for the same financial aid packages offered to the four-year MD pathway students provided that students complete the financial aid application. Students will first receive a financial aid package covering their four years of school at UC Davis. Students' financial aid package will be revised into the three-year pathway if they are accepted into ACE-PC.
Rural ACE-PCP is an acronym for Rural Accelerated Competency-based Education in Primary Care and Psychiatry. It’s a 3-year MD pathway at UC Davis School of Medicine designed to train future primary care physicians and psychiatrists to serve rural communities in CMSP counties such as Shasta, Nevada, and Humboldt.
Rural ACE-PCP follows a similar 3-year curriculum as ACE-PC. However, it focuses on recruiting students 1) who are interested in psychiatry and/or primary care as a specialty and 2) from rural CMSP counties. Rural ACE-PCP will immerse students in clinical training within these counties.
The Rural ACE-PCP team is recruiting students who:
- Are committed to rural primary care or psychiatry
- Have strong ties to aforementioned CMSP counties (e.g., grew up, studied, or worked there)
- Demonstrate a passion for serving underserved and geographically isolated populations
- Meet UC Davis School of Medicine admissions criteria
- We are currently recruiting students interested in primary care to matriculate in 2026.
- We will start recruiting students committed to psychiatry to matriculate in 2027.
We will be enrolling 2 students the first year, with the goal of 4-8 per class in future years.
- Accelerated timeline: Complete your MD in 3 years instead of 4
- Rural-focused training: Clinical experiences in Shasta, Nevada, and Humboldt Counties
- Community-based learning: Work closely with rural community clinics, hospitals, and tribal health centers
Students will train in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural hospitals, and behavioral health clinics. Sites include:
- Shasta Community Health Center
- Hill Country Community Clinic
- Western Sierra Medical Clinic
- Chapa-De Indian Health Center
- Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
- Mercy Redding Family Medicine Residency
Experiences span primary care, psychiatry, substance use treatment, and community engagement.
Yes! Rural ACE-PCP includes a Rural Psychiatry arm. This track focuses on preparing students to address mental health and substance use challenges in rural communities. We will start recruiting students for this track during the 2026-2027 application cycle and matriculate the first class in 2027.
While there is no formal obligation, the program's admissions team prioritizes applicants who are interested in practicing within rural communities. Rural ACE-PCP is designed to encourage and support graduates to return to CMSP counties. Many clinical sites are eager to hire program alumni, and the curriculum fosters strong community connections. Ideal applicants to Rural ACE-PCP are committed to practicing in rural areas.
While graduates can and are eligible to apply to any residency program in primary care or psychiatry, the mission of Rural ACE-PCP is to train and prepare students for rural practice. Ideal applicants to Rural ACE-PCP are committed to practicing in rural areas.
Students may apply through the UC Davis School of Medicine and indicate their interest in Rural ACE-PCP. They may also be nominated through the UC Davis Endorsed Applicant Program, which prioritizes applicants with ties to local community health centers.