University of California - Riverside (UC Riverside)

Address

UCR School of Medicine / Office of Admissions / 900 University Ave. / G1682, SOM Education Bldg. / Riverside, California USA 92521

Overview

Savvy Rank
The Savvy Rank is a combination of admissions selectivity (MCAT, GPA, acceptance rate), research ranking, and primary care ranking.
82
School Type
Whether the school confers an MD or DO degree, is an international (Intl) school for Americans or is a Canadian (CA) school
MD
Public/Private
Public
Year Founded
2008
US News Rank - Research
91
US News Rank - Primary Care
92
Cost
Out-of-state tuition, from cheap ($) to obscenely expensive ($$$$$)
$$
Weather Rating
How nice is the weather, from crappy () to excellent ()

City Size
9M+

Getting In

Median GPA
3.73
Median MCAT
511
Research Rating
A combination of factors to show the school's research ranking and research opportunities, from very little research () to lots ()

Out-of-State Rating
Whether the school is very out-of-state friendly (), somewhat friendly (), not friendly (), or in-state only ()
International Friendly
How friendly the school is toward international applicants
No
Med School Class Size
Class sizes range from 40 students to 400




Application
AMCAS
Letters of Rec Required
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Secondary Essays

Secondary Essay Difficulty
How many essays, how long, and how unusual the prompts, from easy () to brutal ()

Screen Before Secondaries
Does the school read your primary before sending a secondary?
Yes
Typical Secondary Release Date
When does a school usually release its secondary relative to other med schools (though it may vary from year to year)?
Late
Secondary Fee
$105
Other Tests

Interviews

Interview Type
Interview Invites Begin
Interview Format
MMI - Multiple Mini Interview; Traditional - two-way conversation
MMI
Accepts Updates?
Does the school accept update letters?
Yes

Secondary Essay Prompts

Essay Topics ('23 - '24)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting.

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine?

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.]

5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us.

6. (only if you are non-California resident) If you answered Yes, please explain your connection to Inland Southern California and the mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine

Essay Topics ('22 - '23)


1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)

5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)

6. If you answered Yes, please explain your connection to Inland Southern California and the mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine (100 words)

Essay Topics ('21 - '22)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission? (250 words)

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of the values and tell us how you have personally experienced it or have seen it emulated in a clinical setting. (250 words)

3. In what type of healthcare setting do you see yourself practicing medicine? (250 words)

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.] (250 words)

OPTIONAL QUESTION

1. If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. (250 words)

Essay Topics (’20 – ’21)

1. The mission of the UCR School of Medicine is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

2. The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of these values and tell us about a time that you demonstrated it.

3. In what medical specialty or specialties are you interested? What experiences have created the foundation for this interest?

4. Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.]

5. (Optional) If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us.

Essay Topics ('19 - '20)

The mission of the UCR SOM is to train a diverse physician workforce to meet the needs of underserved communities in Inland Southern California. What experiences, skills, and abilities will you bring to the class to fulfill this mission?

The values of the UCR SOM are integrity, innovation, inclusion, excellence, accountability and respect. Please choose one of these values and tell us about a time that you demonstrated it.

In what medical specialty or specialties are you interested? What experiences have created the foundation for this interest?

Tell us about a personal challenge you have faced in your life thus far and how you demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome it. [Please do not write about studying for or taking the MCAT.]

If there is anything you would like the committee to consider about your candidacy that is not explained elsewhere in your application, please use this space to tell us. [You are not required to use this space. You will not be penalized for leaving blank.]

There is a 500 character limit for each.



Essay Topics ('18 - '19)

1. Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant.

2. What activity or accomplishment are you MOST proud of?

3. What experiences or activities have prepared you to work with medically underserved communities?

4. Please list any Scholastic Activities that you have been involved with (including honors and awards)

5. Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth.

6. Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.)

7. What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

8. How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?

9. PERSONAL STATEMENT: Your personal statement from the AMCAS application will be used in our admissions process. You do not need to duplicate it here. At your option, you may use this space to provide any further information you may want us to consider in addition to the AMCAS personal statement. THIS IS NOT MANDATORY.

10. If you click Yes for disadvantaged student -> Describe the manner in which your experiences demonstrate your understanding of, and commitment to, underserved communities . Please limit your response to 250 words



Essay Topics ('17 - '18)

All of the prompts are 250 word limit

Has your education been continuous since graduation from high school? (yes or no, explanation if no)

Activities:

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant.

What activity or accomplishment are you MOST proud of?

What experiences or activities have prepared you to work with medically underserved communities?

Please list any Scholastic Activities that you have been involved with (including honors and awards)

Personal:

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth.

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.)

What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?



Essay Topics ('16 - '17)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words) What kind of health care setting do you envision yourself working in?

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of the UCR School of Medicine?



Essay Topics ('15 - '16)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)


Essay Topics ('14 - '15)

Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why its significant. (250 words)

What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

Have you received any honors while in college? (250 words)

What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

IF you think youre disadvantaged,

Describe the manner in which your experiences demonstrate your understanding of, and commitment to, underserved communities . Please limit your response to 250 words (250 words)



Essay Topics ('13 - '14)

-Describe the single MOST important event or non-academic activity in your life and explain why it’s significant. (250 words)

-What has been the single MOST unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity in which you participated? (250 words)

-What has been the single MOST important volunteer work you have done and why was it meaningful? (250 words)

-What is the MOST important honor (one) you have received? Why do you view this as important? (250 words)

-What has been your MOST scholarly project (thesis, research, or field of study in basic or clinical sciences or in the humanities)? Describe one and give number of hours, dates, and advisor(s). (250 words)

-Describe a major problem you have had to deal with at some time in your life. Include how you dealt with it and how it influenced your growth. (250 words)

-Is there any specific hardship to which you would like the committee to give special attention in evaluating your application? Please briefly explain below. (Include any geographic, language, economic, academic, physical, or mental factors.) (250 words)

-Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What experiences have led you to this goal? (250 words)

-What is the most important health care issue confronting disadvantaged communities and what would be your first steps to address this issue? (250 words)

-PERSONAL STATEMENT: Your personal statement from the AMCAS application will be used in our admissions process. You do not need to duplicate it here. At your option, you may use this space to provide any further information you may want us to consider in addition to the AMCAS personal statement. THIS IS NOT MANDATORY.

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