How To Get Into UCLA Medical School - Acceptance Rate + Tips

In this guide, we’ll cover how to get into the University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine (UCLA DGSOM), including its acceptance rate, admissions statistics, GPA and MCAT benchmarks, and what UCLA DGSOM values most in its applicants.

If you’re just looking for the requirements, click here.

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.56%

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine has an estimated acceptance rate of 1.56% for the 2024 admissions cycle. Based on official data from the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), the school received 11,326 verified applications and enrolled 177 new students.

Here’s a closer look at UCLA DGSOM’s acceptance rate over the past five years:‍

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine has had an average acceptance rate of 1.39% over the past 5 years. On average, fewer than 2 applicants out of every 100 are offered admission. The number of applicants each year is substantial, with an average of 12,723 applications competing for between 173–177 seats a year.

How Hard Is It to Get Into UCLA DGSOM Medical School?

It is very difficult to get into UCLA DGSOM. The school had an acceptance rate of 1.56% in 2024, meaning 98.44% of applicants were rejected. To put this low acceptance rate into perspective, UCLA DGSOM received 11,326 verified applications for 177 MD seats—enough to fill its class more than 63 times over with qualified candidates.

The UCLA DGSOM Admissions Difficulty Scale was created by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

What is UCLA DGSOM's Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine’s out-of-state acceptance rate for 2024 was about 1.03%. Out-of-state candidates accounted for 5,843 of the total applications, with 60 matriculating. Out-of-state applicants represented 51.59% of the overall pool, showing UCLA DGSOM’s strong national appeal even as a public institution.

What is UCLA DGSOM's Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine’s in-state acceptance rate for 2024 was about 2.17%. In-state candidates submitted 4,783 verified applications, with 104 ultimately matriculating. In-state applicants made up 42.23% of the overall pool, reflecting UCLA DGSOM’s continued commitment to serving California residents as a public medical school.

What is UCLA DGSOM's Acceptance Rate for International Applicants?

UCLA DGSOM’s acceptance rate for international students in 2024 was approximately 1.86%. Of the 700 verified international applications, 13 students matriculated. International applicants made up 6.18% of the applicant pool.

How Many People Apply to UCLA DGSOM Medical School Every Year?

About 12,700 people apply to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine every year. According to AAMC, the number of applicants has ranged from 11,326 to 14,325 in the past five years.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Here are some tips to get into the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine:

Highlight a Broad Range of Volunteer, Leadership, and Clinical Experiences

UCLA DGSOM values applicants who can demonstrate excellence across multiple areas, not just one. As Travis McAllister, Admissions Operations & Data Manager, explains in UCLA DGSOM’s video, “What is the Holistic Admissions Approach for Medical School?”

“We're looking at your experiences. What kind of clinical experiences do you have? What type of community service volunteer experiences do you have? What type of leadership experiences do you have? Do you have any research experience: labs/presentations? We’re looking for all of that.”

The numbers from UCLA DGSOM’s 2024 matriculating class shared by the MSAR reflect this focus on diverse experience: 

• 84% of matriculants had community or volunteer service
• 86% participated in physician shadowing or clinical observation
• 89% engaged in medical or clinical volunteer work
• 98% gained research or lab experience

These figures show that most successful applicants present a well-rounded profile that blends service, clinical exposure, and research. In your application, avoid simply listing these activities. Instead, use your essays and interview to explain how each experience shaped you and how it connects to your future as a physician.

For example, if you volunteered at a community health fair, describe how you learned to explain medical information to people with no healthcare background. If you worked as a medical scribe in an ER, share how watching real-time decision-making deepened your understanding of patient care under pressure. 

Presenting your experiences this way adds value because it shows admissions committees how you think, reflect, and grow. It demonstrates that you are not only completing activities but also gaining lessons that prepare you to succeed in medical school and as a future physician.

Keep Your Clinical Experience Supervised and US-Based

UCLA DGSOM wants to see that your clinical exposure is both ethical and relevant to US healthcare standards. Dr. Theodore Hall, Associate Dean for UCLA DGSOM Admissions, shared the following advice in a blog titled “Preparing for Medical School Applications”: 

“Within the medical admissions community, there is increasing concern about applicants performing unsupervised invasive procedures overseas… Students should know that if they engage in these activities and then discuss them on their applications, they can be harming their applications.”

To avoid these issues, focus on US-based opportunities that provide meaningful patient interaction under supervision. Examples include working as a medical scribe, EMT, certified nursing assistant, or certified medical assistant. Volunteering in hospitals, clinics, or hospice care centers can also give valuable insights into patient care while ensuring your experience meets the admissions committee’s expectations.

Match Your Personal Statement/Essays to UCLA DGSOM’s Research and Community Priorities 

While UCLA DGSOM looks for well-rounded candidates, two qualities consistently stand out: a strong research background and a meaningful commitment to community service. Dr. Hall explains, 

“We’re all scientists here. And we all need to know how the scientific method impacts our clinical practice on a daily level.”

In essence, Dr. Hall suggests you share how your research experience sharpened your ability to ask questions, interpret data, and apply findings to patient care. Likewise, your community service should reflect empathy, cultural competence, and a commitment to improving access to healthcare. 

For example, you might highlight how leading a public health outreach project informed your interest in preventive medicine or how your clinical research on health disparities connected directly to your volunteer work in underserved neighborhoods. 

The goal is to present these two pillars—research and service—not as separate achievements, but as interconnected threads in your journey to becoming a physician.

Show the UCLA DGSOM Admissions Committee How Your Unique Journey Has Prepared You for Medicine

There is no single formula for getting accepted to UCLA DGSOM. As McAllister puts it, 

“If anything, there’s 175 ways [to get into our school], because that's going to be the size of our matriculating class. So I tell applicants: 175 ways at least to get into our school.”

To meet what UCLA DGSOM is looking for, focus on building an authentic, multidimensional profile rather than following a rigid checklist. Choose experiences that genuinely excite you and align with your vision for a career in medicine. One applicant might combine biomedical research with advocacy for underserved populations, while another might focus on primary care and lead global health initiatives.

Tell your story with intention. Use your essays, interviews, and activity descriptions to connect each experience to your values, your future approach to patient care, and the unique perspective you will bring to UCLA DGSOM. The most memorable applications stand out because they feel real and purposeful, not because they follow someone else’s path.

UCLA DGSOM MD Programs Offered

UCLA DGSOM offers the following MD programs:

UCLA DGSOM Tuition and Scholarships

UCLA DGSOM tuition and fees for California residents total $52,763 for the 2025-2026 year. Non-resident students pay an additional $12,245 in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, bringing their tuition and fees to $65,008. 

The estimated total cost of attendance for a first-year medical student living off campus or in university housing is $97,916 for residents and $110,161 for non-residents.

How Much Is UCLA DGSOM for 4 Years?

UCLA DGSOM costs about $380,091 over four years for residents and $427,276 for non-residents.

Here’s the estimated year-by-year breakdown:

Scholarships

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine offers a variety of internal and external scholarships to make medical education more affordable.

Among its most prestigious awards is the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholars Program, which provides full tuition for four years plus a one-time $5,000 research stipend. All applicants are automatically considered based on their medical school application and interview performance.

Students may also receive UCLA Philanthropic Scholarships, funded by alumni and donors, which are often need-based and awarded annually through the financial aid process. In addition, L.A. Care Scholarships offer full-ride funding for students committed to improving healthcare for vulnerable populations.

UCLA DGSOM Application Timeline

Here is the complete UCLA DGSOM application timeline:

FAQs

1. Can I Apply to Multiple UCLA DGSOM Pathways at Once?

Yes, you can apply to multiple UCLA DGSOM pathways at once. You may express interest in any or all of the PRIME-LA, Global Health Equity, or the Medical Scientist Training Programs within your application, but each pathway has unique supplemental requirements and review processes.

2. How Competitive Is the David Geffen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship?

The David Geffen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship is extremely competitive, with only a handful of UCLA DGSOM applicants selected each year. All admitted students are automatically considered, so your only chance at the award is to present an outstanding overall application. 

Selection is based on a combination of exceptional academic performance, a strong MCAT score, significant research and service achievements, and an interview that demonstrates leadership potential, a clear vision for your medical career, and alignment with UCLA’s mission. 

Because the scholarship covers full tuition for four years plus a $5,000 research stipend, competition is intense, and recipients typically rank among the top applicants in the nation.

3. Does UCLA DGSOM prefer applicants who completed their undergraduate degree at a UC campus?

No, UCLA DGSOM does not prefer applicants who earned their degree at a University of California campus. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review that evaluates academic performance, MCAT scores, clinical and research experience, community service, leadership, and personal qualities, regardless of where you studied. 

That said, UC graduates may have some indirect advantages, such as familiarity with the UC system, access to research opportunities at UC medical centers, and strong faculty connections for letters of recommendation. However, applicants from non-UC schools, including private and out-of-state institutions, are admitted every year and make up a significant portion of the class.

4. How to Succeed as a UCLA Pre-Med

To succeed as a UCLA pre-med, maintain a strong GPA by mastering core science prerequisites—biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English—and using campus resources like the Center for Academic Advising and the Undergraduate Research Center. Choose a major you enjoy and can excel in, get involved in clinical volunteering, research, and shadowing through UCLA programs like PULSE and the Volunteer Center, and prepare early for the MCAT. Balancing academics with meaningful extracurriculars is key to building a competitive medical school application.

Final Thoughts

With an acceptance rate of around 1.56%, gaining admission to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine requires a carefully planned, highly competitive application. Our UCLA DGSOM admissions counselors provide expert, school-specific guidance to help you stand out in one of the nation’s most selective applicant pools.

Book a free consultation today to learn how our experts can help you maximize your chances of acceptance to UCLA DGSOM.