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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Loma Linda, CA, United StatesEstablished 1909Interviews September–FebruaryDecisions Rolling; final decisions by March 30
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How to get into Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD)

Loma Linda University School of Medicine is a faith-based private MD program affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Loma Linda, California. Founded in 1909, Loma Linda has a global reputation in cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, cancer treatment, and whole-person care. The school trains physicians with a mission integrating Christian service, physical healing, and spiritual care — attracting students from Adventist and other faith traditions as well as students aligned with the whole-person care philosophy.

What makes it different

Loma Linda University Medical Center is home to one of only a handful of proton therapy cancer treatment centers in the US. The school has an exceptional reputation in cardiac surgery and neurosurgery, and offers distinctive global health mission opportunities through the Adventist Health System's international network. The faith-integrated whole-person care curriculum is a genuine differentiator from secular medical schools.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD integrating whole-person care and service-learning throughout. Years 1–2 blend basic science with clinical skills and community health. Year 3 core clerkships at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Children's Hospital, and affiliated sites. Year 4 includes electives and international mission opportunities. Strong global health tracks available.

Research strengths

Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in Cardiac surgery, Neurosurgery, Proton therapy oncology, Paediatric medicine, Global health.

Interview

Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) interviews via Traditional interview with faculty members. Loma Linda uses a traditional interview format in which applicants meet with faculty physicians or committee members in one-on-one or small-panel sessions lasting approximately 30–45 minutes. As a Seventh-day Adventist institution, interviewers may discuss the applicant's values alignment with the school's mission of "whole-person care" — encompassing spiritual, physical, and psychological wellbeing. The interview day includes a campus tour of Loma Linda University Medical Center, one of the country's leading surgical and cardiac centers.

Intake

Approximately 170–180 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1909, based in Loma Linda, CA. Programmes offered: Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Paediatrics, Global Health.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applications submitted via AMCAS. The school values mission alignment with whole-person, faith-integrated care. While Adventist applicants receive preference, students of other faiths who are aligned with the school's values are welcome. Clinical experience, community service, and mission-coherent personal narrative expected. Secondary application required.
MCAT median
512 (range 507–517)
GPA median
3.85 overall / 3.72 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.0%
Class size
175
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Faith and whole-person care alignment, clinical experience, service, and mission coherence.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS and school data; verify current cycle. Adventist applicants have preference; non-Adventist applicants welcome with mission alignment.
Specialities offered
Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Paediatrics, Global Health
Interview

How Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional interview with faculty members
Interview window
September–February
Decision date
Rolling; final decisions by March 30
Post-interview chances
Approximately 25–40% post-interview acceptance rate (estimated).
Tutor insight
Loma Linda interviewers will assess your alignment with the whole-person care mission and your comfort with a faith-integrated medical education. Adventist applicants should demonstrate service involvement within the Adventist community and a coherent faith-medicine narrative. Non-Adventist applicants must articulate genuine alignment with the values — not just a desire for the surgical or specialty training. The school has exceptional cardiac, neuro, and proton therapy facilities; if subspecialty training is a draw, be specific in your secondary essays. Avoid applying primarily for subspecialty training without engaging the mission — it will be apparent in the interview.
Practice

Practise for your Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Loma Linda University School of Medicine (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardMMI · PanelQ1

AAMC Core Competency: Oral Communication — Delivering Difficult News

You are a third-year medical student on a general medicine team. Your patient — a 48-year-old woman admitted for workup of a new lung mass — has just received a biopsy result confirming non-small cell lung cancer. The attending is unavailable for the next two hours. The pathology report has been loaded into the chart, visible to the patient through the patient portal. You walk in to check on her and she immediately says, 'I saw my results — can you explain what it means?' How do you handle this conversation?

Likely follow-up · What is the protocol most hospitals follow for delivering serious diagnoses, and how does the patient portal's real-time result delivery complicate that protocol?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanelQ2

US Healthcare Ethics: ACA Marketplace and the Pre-Existing Condition Guarantee

Before the Affordable Care Act, a 28-year-old patient with Type 1 diabetes could be denied coverage or charged prohibitively high premiums in the individual market. The ACA's community rating and guaranteed issue provisions changed that. A patient tells you that he is considering dropping his ACA Marketplace plan because premiums have increased and he feels healthy. As his primary care physician, what do you advise, and what does his situation illustrate about the structure of US health insurance markets?

Likely follow-up · What is adverse selection, and why is it the central actuarial challenge of any insurance market that prohibits medical underwriting?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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FAQ

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