UCSF School of Medicine Admissions

Accepted

We understand that waiting to learn whether you have been accepted to medical school can be a time of tremendous anxiety. We hope that by explaining the way the process works at UCSF and providing an approximate timeline, we can help to alleviate some of this anxiety.

How the Process Works

UCSF has a rolling admissions policy, which means that applicants may be advised of decisions regarding acceptance any time between December 15 and May 1.

The date of the application does not determine when a decision will be reached. Applicants who are placed on the alternate list will be notified of that status by May 15 and may receive notification of acceptance as withdrawals occur, typically between May 15 and August 1.

Applicants denied admission may reapply, but are discouraged from doing so more than twice. In our experience, repeat applications are unlikely to result in a different decision.

Important Information

Deferred Admission

In special circumstances, the Executive Board for the Committee on Admissions will review requests for deferred admission. Written requests for deferral must be received by May 1 of the year of expected entry. We typically consider deferrals that permit applicants to participate in time-limited, once-in-a-lifetime academic opportunities that will significantly enhance their medical education and training. While we understand that students may wish to spend a year between undergraduate college and the rigors of medical school for financial reasons, personal development, or family needs, we are unlikely to grant deferrals for these reasons.

Appeals

Applicants who do not receive a secondary application or an invitation to interview may appeal the decision of the Committee on Admissions by writing to the Chair of the Admissions Committee at the Admissions Office. Please note that applicants who have interviewed are not eligible to appeal because their files have already received final Committee review.