The UC Davis School of Medicine offers a one-year, comprehensive postbaccalaureate study program designed to assist educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged applicants in gaining acceptance to medical school. With major funding by The California Endowment, the ultimate goal is to increase the number of physicians who practice in underserved areas. The program is open to first-time applicants to medical school and to reapplicants. There are three components: an intensive summer study skills and MCAT preparation program, assistance in the application process, and three quarters of enrollment in upper division science courses at UC Davis. Participation is limited to fifteen students. Students accepted to our program receive extensive instruction, guidance and support in:

• Developing effective studying and test-taking skills
• Preparing for the Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Writing an effective personal statement
• Completing the American Medical Colleges Application Service
• Selecting medical schools
• Understanding the health system and health careers
• Preparing for interviews
• Establishing a competitive academic record

Duration 

The program begins June 16, 2008 and ends in June 2009.

I. Study Skills and MCAT Prep Curriculum

Beginning in mid-June, this ten-week session consists of interactive instruction in learning skills and an intensive MCAT review course in preparation for the August MCAT. Learning skills workshops address verbal reasoning, time and stress management, note taking, studying, and test taking. On the premise that teaching makes us more active learners, participants make frequent classroom presentations. The focus of this work is to increase the student's potential for academic success in the upcoming academic year. In addition, students participate in weekly seminars on health care issues, to improve their awareness of current and enduring concerns, and to improve their interviewing skills.

II. Application Process

A critical factor in the success of applicants to medical school is the manner in which their applications are judged. Thus, from the beginning of the program we work closely with students on the AMCAS and secondary applications. The summer component includes workshops on personal statements, experience descriptions, school selection, secondary questions and interviews. In addition to workshops, individual advising is provided throughout the application process. A detailed committee letter of recommendation is provided for each student.

III. Academic Curriculum

During the fall, winter and spring quarters, students enroll full-time at UC Davis in rigorous upper-division science coursework, specifically designed to magnify the strengths of each participant's profile. Attention is placed on addressing weaknesses in a student's preparatory background and in demonstrating success in a challenging academic environment. Each participant, in close consultation with program advisors, selects the course load. It is expected that students will maintain a 3.5 or better GPA in their selected courses. Additionally, throughout the academic year students continue to attend seminars on health care issues.

Please note that our postbaccalaureate program is completely independent from the application process for the School of Medicine. Application or acceptance to our program will not affect your current or future application to the UC Davis School of Medicine. Students in our program do not receive preferential treatment in the application process to UC Davis School of Medicine.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program you must:

• Be both a legal resident of California and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
• Be considered an educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged* student, and/or show evidence of a commitment to practice in a medically underserved community;
• Have completed (or will complete before the program begins) an undergraduate degree (or higher) from an accredited American college or university
• Have completed all or most (minus one or two courses) of the prerequisite coursework for medical school;
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7;
• If you have taken the MCAT, have a minimum MCAT composite score of 18 (MCAT not required for first-time applicants).

* Please note: our definition of socio-economically disadvantaged corresponds with that suggested by AMCAS: from an early age, you resided in a low-income community or experienced enduring family and/or societal hardship that significantly compromised your educational opportunities.

Finances

Some costs are associated with participation in the program, therefore participants must carefully assess their financial situation. Room, board and educational expenses are covered for the summer session. All students are expected to sustain expenses incurred over the fall, winter and spring quarters.  The Financial Aid Resources link at the upper left leads to a list of potential outside funding resources. Participants will need to work out the details of their financial circumstances with the Financial Aid Office of the School of Medicine prior to beginning the program. If you want to receive financial aid for the academic year it is imperative that you submit a FAFSA form on time.

Application

Application materials are available for both first-time and reapplicants at https://meded-postbac.ucsd.edu.  One application is being used by all six UC medical school postbaccalaureate programs.  The UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program will begin considering applications on April 15, 2008 and will utilize a rolling admission policy, so it is to your advantage to apply early. The final deadline is May 18, 2008; all materials must arrive in our office by May 18 (not be postmarked by it), if you wish to be considered for the 2008-09 program. You are responsible for determining the application period and deadline for each school.  It may vary at each program.  All application materials should be sent to the following address:

Postbaccalaureate Program
Postbaccalaureate Program
UC Davis School of Medicine
TB 192, Room 113
Davis, CA 95616

Questions

If you have questions about our program, please contact us at (530) 754-9391 or at the following e-mail address:

Postbaccalaureate_Questions