Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private Minority-Serving Institution in Los Angeles and California's only federally designated Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI) — not a U.S. Department of Education-listed HBCU — dedicated to training health professionals for underserved communities. The College of Medicine offers an MD program with a singular focus on health equity, structural racism in medicine, and clinical service in South LA's Watts and Willowbrook neighborhoods — some of the most medically underserved communities in the US. CDU has historically trained a high proportion of under-represented minority physicians relative to its class size.
What makes it different
CDU's medical education program is one of only four historically Black medical colleges in the United States (alongside Howard, Meharry, and Morehouse). It has the highest percentage of Black and Latino graduates of any medical school in California. The school is embedded in the Watts/Willowbrook community and operates in close partnership with MLK Community Hospital and LAC+USC Medical Center, providing students with deep safety-net clinical training.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD with an explicit social justice and health equity curriculum integrated throughout. Years 1–2 blend biomedical science with community health, structural racism, and social determinants content. Year 3–4 clinical rotations at MLK Community Hospital, LAC+USC Medical Center, and South LA community health centers.
Research strengths
Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in Health equity, Racial disparities in health outcomes, Maternal and infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, Community health.
Interview
Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine (MD) interviews via Traditional interview and/or MMI components (varies by cycle). CDU uses a combination of traditional interview and structured MMI-style components. Applicants typically meet with faculty in conversational sessions and may also encounter structured scenario stations. The interview strongly emphasizes the school's mission to train physicians for the medically underserved communities of South Los Angeles — questions probe commitment to health equity, understanding of structural racism in medicine, and experience with under-represented populations. The interview day includes an overview of CDU's Watts-Willowbrook community mission.
Intake
Approximately 40–60 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1966, based in Los Angeles, CA. Programmes offered: Health Equity, Primary Care, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Maternal and Child Health.
