Admissions Criteria

The UC Davis School of Medicine Admissions Committee reviews each applicant’s experiences, attributes, and metrics as related to our core student physician competencies:

• patient care
• knowledge
• interpersonal and communication skills
• professionalism
• system-based practice (working within the health care system to enhance care)
• life-long learning

The Admissions Committee determines whether the applicant will be granted a secondary application, interview, and ultimately acceptance to the UC Davis School of Medicine. Committee members attempt to do a holistic assessment of each applicant that includes but is not limited to the following experiences, attributes, and metrics (in no particular order of importance):

Experiences

• Healthcare experience
• Research experience
• Leadership experience
• Community service
• Educational background
• Experience working in inter-professional teams
• Life experiences (e.g. obstacles overcome)

Attributes:

• Geographic origin (e.g. rural or medically underserved area)
• Resilience
• Motivation for a medical career
• Intellectual curiosity
• Communication skills, including listening and empathy
• Languages spoken, particularly by underserved patient populations
• Critical thinking skills including problem solving
• Professional responsibility and accountability
• Values and ethical beliefs
• Self-assessment and improvement skills
• Altruism and compassion
• Appreciation for diverse perspectives
• Ability to work in inter-professional teams
• Honesty and integrity

Metrics:

• Undergraduate grades, grade trends, and course load
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score
• Performance in a post-baccalaureate and/or graduate degree program