Admissions Criteria
To be considered for admission into the UC Irvine School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- All applicants must complete the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application between June 1-Nov. 1, of the application year for the following year’s entering class.
- A minimum of three years (90 semester units) of undergraduate coursework, including a minimum of one full-time year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must receive an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation.
- Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must have been taken within the three years preceding June 1 of the application year and no later than Sept. 30 of the application year.
- For purposes of evaluation, letter or numerical grades are preferred for course work, particularly for the required subjects listed below.
- All prerequisite courses listed as “in progress” on the AMCAS application and UC Irvine School of Medicine Secondary Application must be successfully completed by matriculation.
- All entering students in the UC Irvine School of Medicine must meet all of the technical standards, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, and each student will be expected to certify that he/she meets these standards.
Information provided by the AMCAS application is used for preliminary screening to select which applicants will receive a secondary application. Once notified, these applicants are asked to submit additional materials, including letters of recommendation, supplemental information forms and a nonrefundable application fee within 30 days of notification. If applicants qualified for the AMCAS fee waiver, they will also qualify for a fee waiver for the UC Irvine School of Medicine secondary application.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be permanent residents in possession of a green card, or be approved through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) with a Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
The combined primary and secondary applications are fully reviewed by both Dr. Alan Goldin (MSTP Director) and the MSTP Admissions committee.
Invitations to interview are sent via email and are scheduled online. They take place once a month from October through February. Admissions offers are made on a rolling bases beginning in November.
Note: MSTP applicants are reviewed concurrently by both the SOM Admissions Committee and the MSTP Admissions Committee. Acceptance into either program can be made separately.
Interview Day
The UCI MSTP Interview Day Experience consists of two days. One day will be dedicated to the MD process, and will be organized by the School of Medicine Admissions Office. The other day will be specifically MSTP focused and organized by the MSTP. Between both days, applicants will receive a short orientation, meet with student panels, receive housing and financial aid information, and receive a tour of campus. Additionally, applicants will be scheduled to interview with a student interviewer, a representative from the UCI School of Medicine Admissions Committee, a representative from the UCI MSTP Admissions Committee, and at least two faculty research interviewers. Applicants who were invited to interview will be contacted directly from the MSTP office regarding their research interest and faculty interviewer requests. Both days will generally begin at 8:00am. The last interview day will conclude around 4:00pm. Details will be communicated with the applicant a few weeks prior to the scheduled interview day. All interview days are conducted via zoom.
Post-Interview
The UCI MSTP will contact applicants once both the MSTP and MD admissions committees have reviewed the interview application independently. Applicants who are invited to join the UCI MSTP must be offered admissions by both committees. Those who are not accepted by the MSTP may still be offered admission to the MD program. Applicants can re-apply for the MSTP once enrolled in the School of Medicine via AMCAS and secondary application.
*Note: The admissions status reflected on the UCI SOM admissions website reflects the MD committee’s decision, not the MSTP committee. Therefore, a “wait-list” status does not render an applicant ineligible for the MSTP. Likewise, an acceptance by the MD committee does not guarantee acceptance into the MSTP.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The University of California, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age in any of its policies, procedures, or practices; nor does the University discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, University programs and activities, including but not limited to, academic admission, financial aid, educational services, and student employment.