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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

UCSF School of Medicine (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location San Francisco, CA, United StatesEstablished 1864Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions March 30
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Full guide

How to get into UCSF 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 UCSF 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 UCSF School of Medicine (MD)

The University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for research, and it is unique as a major research university entirely focused on health sciences. UCSF's location in San Francisco provides unparalleled access to a diverse, medically complex patient population and to the Bay Area biotech ecosystem. The school has particular strengths in HIV/AIDS research, cancer biology, neuroscience, and health policy.

What makes it different

UCSF is the only major US research university solely dedicated to health sciences — every department, from basic science to clinical research, is health-focused. The school has an exceptional record in HIV research, biomedical innovation, and diversity in medical education. San Francisco's ethnically diverse patient population provides unusually broad clinical training.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year Bridges curriculum integrates basic science, clinical skills, and research from Year 1. Longitudinal clinical placements begin early. Year 3–4: clinical clerkships across UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, and affiliated community hospitals.

Research strengths

UCSF School of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in HIV and infectious disease, Brain science, Cancer biology, Health equity, Precision medicine.

Interview

UCSF School of Medicine (MD) interviews via Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student).

Intake

Approximately 150 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1864, based in San Francisco, CA. Programmes offered: HIV/AIDS Research, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Health Policy, Global Health.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to UCSF School of Medicine (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. California residents receive moderate preference (public university). Strong research background, community service, and clinical experience expected. AMCAS application; secondary required.
MCAT median
517 (range 512–522)
GPA median
3.88 overall / 3.85 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.5%
Class size
174
In-state preference
Moderate — some OOS consideration
In-state matriculants
77%
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Research, diversity, commitment to underserved populations, and health equity.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from UCSF class profile. In-state preference reflects UC public mission.
Specialities offered
HIV/AIDS Research, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Health Policy, Global Health
Interview

How UCSF School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student)
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30
Tutor insight
UCSF values diversity, commitment to underserved communities, and health equity alongside research achievement — make sure these themes run throughout your application, not just in one essay. In the MMI, demonstrate systems-level thinking about healthcare challenges; UCSF interviewers are attuned to candidates who think beyond individual patient care to population health. As a public UC school, in-state California applicants have a meaningful advantage — out-of-state applicants need a particularly strong application to compete.
Practice

Practise for your UCSF School of Medicine (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to UCSF School of Medicine (MD)

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

MediumMMI · PanelQ1

Screening for social determinants in clinic

Health systems increasingly screen patients for social determinants of health, food insecurity, housing instability, transportation, and so on. A patient screens positive for food insecurity but seems embarrassed and says, 'I came here for my blood pressure, not to be judged.' How do you respond, and is routine SDOH screening a good idea?

Likely follow-up · What is the ethical risk of screening for needs you may not be able to meet?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardPanelQ2

Research and Critical Thinking: AI in Diagnostic Medicine

Artificial intelligence tools are being deployed in radiology, pathology, and primary care for diagnostic decision support. Some studies show that AI matches or exceeds human performance on specific tasks such as skin cancer detection and diabetic retinopathy screening. A colleague suggests that widespread AI adoption will reduce the need for physicians over the next 20 years. How do you evaluate this claim, and what are the opportunities and risks of AI integration into clinical medicine?

Likely follow-up · What types of clinical tasks are AI tools currently well-suited for, and which are beyond their near-term capabilities?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for UCSF School of Medicine (MD)Browse 1,106 free questions →
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FAQ

UCSF School of Medicine (MD) — frequently asked questions

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