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University of California San Diego School of Medicine

University of California San Diego School of Medicine

San Diego, CA / School Detail
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School Detail Interview Feedback Secondary Essays
APPLICATION FEE
$135
Tuition In State
$50,357
Tuition Out of State
$62,602
Average GPA
3.83
AVERAGE MCAT
514
OOS MATRICULANTS
25.7%

School Overview

Degrees
MD
Ownership
Public Non-Profit
Program Length
4 years
Total Enrollment
108
Founding Year
1968
Accreditation Year
1968
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SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $401,133
Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for UCSD-SOM 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

San Diego, CA is about 1.12x 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 $3,360 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, UCSD-SOM 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 15% 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 UCSD-SOM

1. Motivation and Fit
This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, undergraduate years, and, if applicable, what you’ve done since...
2. Community, Diversity, and Equity
The goals of PRIME - HEq are: To increase the number of clinicians, research scientists, and advocates addressing minority health and health disparities; to create a diverse community of scholars...
3. Motivation and Fit
GHAC: Applicants to the UCSD School of Medicine may apply for admission to the GHAC. This track provides mentored research and clinical experiences in Global Health. Please describe your interest in...
4. Motivation and Fit
PRIME-TIDE: Please describe your experiences with American Indian and Alaskan Native communities, including the type of community and your level of involvement. Please provide the length of time you...
5. Motivation and Fit
TAN FAMILY SCHOLAR PROGRAM: Please describe your interest in Compassion and Empathy. In your essay, describe any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests and how you think...
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About the School

The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, established in 1968, is the only medical school in the San Diego metropolitan area and the third in the University of California system. It is closely affiliated with UC San Diego Health, which includes multiple hospitals and research centers. The school is recognized for its commitment to scientific discovery and clinical innovation, consistently achieving top rankings among health care institutions nationwide.

Curriculum

In 2010, the School of Medicine implemented the Integrated Scientific Curriculum, emphasizing ambulatory experience to better prepare students for medical practice. The first two years consist of classroom learning based on topical units, followed by two years of clinical rotations. A cornerstone of the elective curriculum is the Independent Study Project (ISP), requiring students to complete a project under the guidance of a faculty committee.

Facilities

The School of Medicine is situated on a 54-acre campus in La Jolla, bordered by Gilman Drive and Revelle College to the west and La Jolla Village Drive to the south. The campus features academic, research, and administrative buildings arranged around green spaces such as the School of Medicine Quad and the Ceremonial Green. Notable facilities include the Rita Atkinson Residences, housing 450 graduate students, and the Club Med dining facility. The campus also hosts two Stuart Collection art installations: "Terrace" by Jackie Ferrara and "Standing" by Kiki Smith.

Demographics

The incoming class at UC San Diego School of Medicine reflects a diverse student body. Approximately 32% of students are underrepresented in medicine, 39% are first-generation graduate students, and 22% are first-generation college students. The average undergraduate GPA is 3.81, with a science GPA of 3.75, and an average MCAT score of 514.1. Additionally, 77% of students are California residents, and 65% earned their undergraduate degrees in the state.

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2026