Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Admissions, Tuition & Student Feedback

School Overview

Degrees: MD
Ownership: Private Non-Profit
Program Length: 4 years
Total Enrollment: 60
Founding Year: 2023
Accreditation Year: 2022

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SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $485,169

Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for Drew using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.

Cost of Living: Above national average cost of living

Los Angeles, CA is about 1.14x higher than the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment raises the living allowance from $3,000 to about $3,420 per month, mainly reflecting rent, food, transportation, and day-to-day expenses. Compare this with your own housing plan before treating it as exact.

Environment: Urban

Situated in a moderately accessible neighborhood, Drew offers a mix of walking and biking options. Students may find that many daily needs are reachable without a car, though longer trips still benefit from alternative transportation.

Interview Feedback

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.

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Secondary Essays for Drew

1. Career Goals and Future Aspirations

The university’s vision statement is Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities. Describe how you envision yourself contributing to the CDU vision statement.

2. Community, Diversity, and Equity

Describe your commitment to transforming the health of diverse and underserved communities.

3. Other

Detail the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to the CDU MD Program.

4. Other

Please describe a personal experience in which you have encountered discrimination.

5. Community, Diversity, and Equity

How will you utilize your medical knowledge and skills to contribute positively to your community after completing medical school?

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About the School

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is a private institution located in Willowbrook, California, dedicated to health sciences education. Established in 1966 in response to inadequate medical access in the Watts region of Los Angeles, the university is named after Dr. Charles R. Drew, a pioneer in blood transfusion research. CDU comprises three colleges: the College of Science and Health, the College of Medicine, and the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Curriculum

CDU offers a range of programs through its three colleges, focusing on addressing health disparities and serving underserved communities. In 1978, CDU partnered with the UCLA School of Medicine to establish a joint undergraduate medical program. Students complete their first two years at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the final two years at CDU, including clinical rotations at the Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center and local community clinics. In July 2023, CDU welcomed its first class of 60 medical students into a new independent MD program, with full accreditation anticipated after the inaugural class graduates.

Facilities

The university's 11-acre urban campus houses facilities that support its educational and research missions. In 2010, CDU opened the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing, the first comprehensive nursing program in Southern California in decades and the first of its kind in South Los Angeles. The campus also includes the W.M. Cobb Building, constructed in 1984, which serves as a central hub for the university's operations.

Demographics

As of Fall 2017, CDU had an enrollment of 543 students. The university is recognized as a minority-serving institution and a historically black graduate institution under the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program. CDU is also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2026