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How to Apply | Community Health Scholars | M.D. Pathway Programs | UC Davis School of Medicine

How to Apply

Each year, we accept a select number of students for our Community Health Scholars (CHS) pathway programs:

  • 4-6 PRIME Central Coast students
  • 8-12 REACH students
  • 8-12 Rural-PRIME students
  • 8 TEACH-MS students
  • 4-6 Tribal Health PRIME students

If invited to complete a secondary application, you may apply to more than one CHS program that aligns with your interests and career goals.

Step 1: Primary Application

Apply to UC Davis School of Medicine through the traditional process using the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by October 1.

Applicants must meet the same requirements as traditional M.D. program applicants.

Step 2: Secondary Application (By Invitation Only)

Applicants who are invited to complete the UC Davis School of Medicine secondary application indicate their interest in one or more of the CHS pathway programs. 

Step 3: Initial Review and Interview

Applicants follow the traditional M.D. program process:

  • Holistic review of applicants
  • Multiple mini-interview process

Step 4: Program Review and Interview

Applicants interviewed by the traditional M.D. Program admissions team will then be reviewed by the CHS directors. Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Qualified applicants will be invited to a program-specific interview (January–April) with:

  • Program directors and team members
  • Current CHS faculty
  • Current CHS students
mediation

M.D. Program Admissions

Community Health Scholars must meet the same admissions requirements as traditional M.D. program applicants as well as demonstrate fit with CHS pathway programs of interest. 

Learn more about M.D. Program admissions, criteria and pre-medical requirements

Additional Criteria by Pathway

Applicants interested in the PRIME Central Coast pathway must demonstrate:  

  • Commitment to practice in California’s central coastal communities after graduation and residency 
  • Strong ties to California’s Central Coast communities, such as having grown up there, currently residing there, or having considerable prior experience 
  • A strong desire to practice in primary care, preventive medicine and community health

Applicants interested in the REACH pathway must demonstrate:  

  • Commitment to practice in California’s Central Valley after graduation and residency 
  • Strong ties to California’s Central Valley communities, such as having grown up there, currently residing there, or having considerable prior experience 

Applicants interested in the RURAL PRIME pathway must demonstrate:  

  • A significant knowledge of and/or experience in rural settings, including a familiarity with underserved populations 
  • Commitment to practice in a rural community in California after graduation and residency 

Applicants interested in the TEACH-MS pathway must demonstrate:  

  • Significant knowledge of and experience in urban underserved areas, including a familiarity with different populations and cultures, public health issues specific to urban environments 
  • A desire to practice primary care in urban underserved communities (such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Pediatrics) 

Applicants interested in the Tribal Health PRIME pathway must demonstrate:

  • Significant experience with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and commitment to serve tribes and communities after graduation and residency  
  • Knowledge of and experience in tribal, AI/AN communities with understanding of cultural differences among tribes