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Mission
The UC Irvine School of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Program is designed to assist disadvantaged applicants in gaining acceptance to medical school, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of physicians in underserved areas. The Program has been in existence for over 25 years and has a record of placing more than 88% of all participants in a U.S. medical school. While in the Program students are provided with an environment to: strengthen their learning skills; show proficiency in the sciences; prepare for the MCAT exam; and to become a more competitive applicant who successfully gains admission to medical school.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be considered disadvantaged*
- Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university
- Have a minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.8
- Have completed at least 75% of the UC Irvine School of Medicine prerequisites
- Have taken a minimum of one upper division biology course
- If a re-applicant, must have a minimum composite MCAT score of 21
- Have a demonstrated record of service to the underserved
- Have not previously matriculated at a medical school
- Submission of an application with all supporting documents
*A disadvantaged individual is one, who from an early age, resided in a low income community or experienced enduring family, societal, or other hardships that significantly compromised their educational opportunities.
Program Overview
The main components of the Program are enrollment in two upper division biology courses for Summer Session I & II on the UC Irvine undergraduate campus, followed by full-time enrollment for Fall and Winter quarters. An intensive MCAT exam preparation phase is conducted during the Spring quarter. Depending on the academic background of the student, courses will vary. Prior to enrolling, students meet with their academic advisors to formulate the classes that will best meet their academic needs and complement their application to medical school.
Academic Enhancement
During the academic year students enroll in upper-division science courses. It is expected that students will maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher in these courses. This is an opportunity for students to:
- Implement new learning skills and study habits
- Enroll in upper division science coursework
- Demonstrate the academic mastery which is required in medical school
Students are also enrolled in Verbal courses throughout fall and winter quarters. If needed, students may also conduct research and/or enhance their clinical exposure. The Program hosts seminars, workshops, motivational gatherings, and professional discussions focusing on health care in underserved populations. Some additional highlights are:
- Mentoring opportunities
- Medical student interaction
- Attending local and state conferences
Program staff members work closely with participants throughout the medical school application process. Upon satisfactory progress within the Program, a personalized letter of recommendation will be provided to the medical schools where the participant has applied.
MCAT and Medical School Application Preparation
Phase II of the Program takes place during Spring quarter and includes preparation for both the MCAT and the medical school application process. Included in this phase are:
- Review sessions in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Verbal Reasoning
- Pre- and post- mock MCAT exams
- Test taking strategies
- Mock interviews
- Composing a personal statement
- Stress and time management workshops
Students meet with program advisors to determine their readiness for application/re-application to medical school. The objective is to provide students with the tools needed to perform to their full potential on the MCAT exam. The MCAT exam date and subsequent application to medical school will be determined based on a student’s progress.
Program Costs
Students are responsible for all costs including living expenses, tuition/registration fees, and any additional educational costs. Since only a portion of the costs can be defrayed by student loans, participants are encouraged to apply early for financial aid. Depending on institutional funding in a given year, some of the costs may be covered by the Program.
Application Process
The UC Irvine Postbaccalaureate Program along with other UC medical schools is part of a Consortium. The Consortium utilizes a joint online application and a centralized service for all application materials. This allows applicants to apply to various Programs on different UC campuses. However, applications are considered separately and deadlines for completed applications vary for each Program. Online applications are available each year in January. The UC Irvine first time application priority deadline is February 15th and the final deadline is February 28th. Reapplicant deadline is March 15th. Instructions are available at https://meded-postbac.ucsd.edu/
Contact Information:
Office of Admissions & Outreach
Medical Education Building
Irvine, CA 92697-4089
Phone: 949.824.5388 or 800.824.5388
E-mail: pbsom@uci.edu
http://www.meded.uci.edu/admissions
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