Admissions Information
The UCR/UCLA program works on a traditional model of four years of undergraduate education (at least two years at UCR), followed by four years of medical school. The first two years of medical studies take place on the UCR campus, and the final two years at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. A maximum of 24 students per year may be admitted to the freshman medical school class of the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Biomedical Sciences Program. Admission to the class is restricted to:
- Students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at UCR in any major, and who will have accumulated at least two full years of undergraduate credit at UCR by the time they matriculate to medical school.
- Students who previously attended UCR as undergraduates, and who accumulated at least two full years of undergraduate credit at UCR towards a degree in any major. Must have current (less than three years old) scores from the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
- Students who transfer to UCR as long as they have been enrolled at UCR for at least two years (six continuous quarters) pursuit of a bachelor's degree before beginning medical studies.
Strong candidates show a commitment to a career in medicine that has been demonstrated with medical volunteerism, clinical experience, or research. A solid record of community service is highly desired. It is important that applicants have made a difference to those around them. Examples of community service pursuits include volunteer work, leadership in campus organizations, mentor service for a peer or youth group, and commitment to and participation in religious or service organizations.
Admissions Requirements
Students who are admitted to medical school in the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Biomedical Sciences Program will become students simultaneously at both UCR and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. All admissions are subject to final approval by both UCR and UCLA.
Basis of Selection
Candidates are selected on the basis of the following considerations:
- Undergraduate record.
- Medical College Admissions Test scores.
- Interview(s) by members of the faculty.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Graduate record, where applicable.
- Life experiences (research, volunteerism, etc).
Supplemental Information
If a student is required to provide supplemental information, a processing fee of $70 will be charged. Fee waivers, based solely on economic need, are granted to applicants who have qualified for an AMCAS fee waiver.
Students who apply for admission will be evaluated by an admissions committee which is a subcommittee of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. A number of students who apply will be asked for supplementary information and a secondary application based on the contents of their AMCAS application. Some of these students will be interviewed by members of the UCR or UCLA faculty. On the basis of a thorough and comparative evaluation of the academic record, Medical College Admission Test, supplemental information and letters of recommendation, the candidate receives either a request for an interview with members of the Admissions Committee, or a letter of rejection.
Preference is given to students who present high achievement in college, a capacity to develop mature interpersonal relationships, and characteristics compatible with the mission of the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Biomedical Sciences Program. A student not admitted as the result of this first application may file a second application in one succeeding year. A third application is discouraged.
Students are expected to come to the interview site and are responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses.
Letters of acceptance will be mailed out beginning in January. Acceptances will continue until the class has been filled.
The UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Biomedical Sciences Program follows the AAMC "Traffic Rules" regarding acceptance by candidates into the entering class.
Admissions Information
Prerequisites
Age
We encourage people of all ages who have demonstrated exceptional motivation and academic achievement to apply.
Residence
No preference is given to state of residence.
Reapplication
Students who were not successful in gaining admission to medical school may submit a second application. A third application is discouraged.
Unsuccessful students who intend to reapply should consider remaining in an academic environment, either in a graduate degree program or doing remedial work in areas of weakness. The applicant should forward two letters of recommendation from associates during this period of time.
Foreign Applicants
In order to be considered for admission, applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who reside in this country on a student visa will have to provide guarantee of sufficient financial support for their educational needs. Due to rapidly diminishing sources of financial assistance, we must exclude students who are neither citizens of the U.S.A. nor permanent residents from consideration for scholarship funds and other financial aid in the form of loans.
Application procedures and admission requirements are the same for foreign applicants as for students who are citizens of the United States.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
MCAT Program Office,
2255 North Dubuque Road
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4056
Phone (319) 337-1357
The MCAT is given in April and August. It is recommended that all candidates take the Medical College Admission Test in the spring. It must be taken not later than fall of the year preceding admission to the School of Medicine. If more than one MCAT was taken, all the test grades must be included when making an application.
The test must be repeated if, at the time of application, more than three years have elapsed since it was taken. Notice of the date, time and place of the MCAT is posted in all universities and colleges.
Requests for test reports and all other correspondence and requests for information concerning the administration, processing, and scoring of the MCAT should be directed to the MCAT Program Office.
M.D. and Ph.D. Degrees
UCR offers an M.D. — Ph.D. program in which both degrees may be achieved in seven years, depending on the progress of the research project and the necessary completion of coursework specific to the project. The Ph.D. will be in biomedical sciences. Enrollment can occur concurrently with matriculation to medical school or at a later date. Details of this program can be found in the UCR Catalog.
Nondiscrimination
The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and university policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, age, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The university prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, access, and treatment in university programs and activities.
The Haider Program Process
- Admission by regular application to UC Riverside, either as a freshman or a transfer student, with a major in any a
rea.
AMCAS
Association of American Medical Colleges Office of Admissions
Lobby 26 / 2501 M Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037-1300
(202) 828-0600
E-Mail: amcas@aamc.orgUCR Admissions Office
Division of Biomedical Sciences
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
(951) 827-4333 - Completion of undergraduate courses and breadth requirements, including premedical requirements.
- Student applies to medical school phase of the program once premedical requirements are completed and student has taken the Medical College Admissions Test . Applicants will submit applications through the American Medical College Admissions Service (AMCAS). Prior to submitting an application, you must request that a complete set of official transcripts be forwarded directly to AMCAS by the registrar of each school you have attended. Official transcripts are not required for work you have taken the previous term (e.g. if application is submitted in summer, previous spring official transcripts are not required). No processing of your application will be performed until both the application and all required official transcripts are received by AMCAS. Completed applications are accepted by AMCAS no earlier than June 1 and no later than November 1 the year before the August of planned enrollment.
- Review and selection of 24 students to medical school phase of UCR/UCLA program.
- Graduation with an undergraduate degree from UCR.
- Complete first two years of medical school at UCR.
- Move to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA for third and fourth years of medical school for completion of clinical course work.
- Graduation from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and receipt of the M.D. degree!
