2025-2026 UCLA (Geffen)

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

chilly_md

Full Member
Staff member
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
2+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2021
Messages
4,966
Reaction score
5,182
2025-2026 UCLA Secondary Prompts

1. At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, students are provided with curriculum and experiences enabling them to become an "Outstanding Physician, AND...," dedicating themselves to important societal missions. What missions do you want to embrace? What have you done toward your missions? (800 characters)


2. Respond to the following and indicate how these areas of experience have impacted your progress toward your future career goals in relation to becoming an "Outstanding Physician, AND...".

A-Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity. (800 characters)

B-Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful. (800 characters)

C-Describe your most scholarly project (thesis, research or field of study in basic or clinical science or in the humanities) and provide the total number of hours, dates and advisor. (800 characters)


3. Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as other relevant information. (800 characters)


4. Did you experience or are you anticipating time between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school?
If you answered “Yes” to question 4, describe the activities in which you participated or are planning to participate. Examples include additional schooling, employment, or caring for a loved one. (800 characters)


5. Do you identify as being part of a group that has been marginalized (examples include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA, disabilities, federally recognized tribe) in terms of access to education or healthcare?
If you answered “Yes” to question 5, describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community and how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community. (800 characters)


6. Are you re-applying to DGSOM?
If you answered “Yes” to question 9, describe what has changed since you last applied to DGSOM. Please be specific. (800 characters)


Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:

 
Last edited:
Would I still be considered for the MD program at this school if I select my interest in PRIME? I just saw on AMCAS that it only takes 18 students, which is scary! I do think my healthcare goals/experiences fit PRIME, but would I be better off selecting the main MD program if I want a higher chance at acceptance into the institution itself?
 
Would I still be considered for the MD program at this school if I select my interest in PRIME? I just saw on AMCAS that it only takes 18 students, which is scary! I do think my healthcare goals/experiences fit PRIME, but would I be better off selecting the main MD program if I want a higher chance at acceptance into the institution itself?
Select the PRIME program if that is where your interests lie. You are still considered for regular admission to the traditional DGSOM pathway even if you do not receive an acceptance for PRIME. Same goes for other pathways such as MSTP.
 
Hi - for this school is it a problem if my PREview score comes out after the 2 week strict deadline they have?
 
Would it be worth retaking the PREview exam if I just scored a 5 on the recent May 6th exam? DGSOM is my dream school (I am a California resident and a current UCLA Health employee) but I am in a panic. Is there anyone I can chat with? Thanks!
 
Would it be worth retaking the PREview exam if I just scored a 5 on the recent May 6th exam? DGSOM is my dream school (I am a California resident and a current UCLA Health employee) but I am in a panic. Is there anyone I can chat with? Thanks!
I wouldn't worry too much! I know a friend who got an interview with a 4 so I don't think it's something that's make or break.
 
On the UCLA website, it says “AAMC PREview Exam scores (for Traditional MD Program Track applicants only)” are required. Does that mean it’s not required for PRIME-LA applicants?

If you can’t tell, not super happy with how PREview went haha.
 
On the UCLA website, it says “AAMC PREview Exam scores (for Traditional MD Program Track applicants only)” are required. Does that mean it’s not required for PRIME-LA applicants?

If you can’t tell, not super happy with how PREview went haha.
PRIME and MSTP don't require PREview, but if you would also like to be considered for Traditional track acceptance at DGSOM, then you'll need to submit PREview. Up to you, but I'd say most people opt for dual consideration. Know quite a few folks who applied for PRIME but ultimately matriculated as a Traditional Track student.

Source: Medical School Application Timeline | UCLA Medical School
 
Anyone apply for PRIME? do they send secondaries later than regular MD?
 
+1 IS MD-only @chilly_md


1. At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, students are provided with curriculum and experiences enabling them to become an "Outstanding Physician, AND...," dedicating themselves to important societal missions. What missions do you want to embrace? What have you done toward your missions? (800 characters)


2. Respond to the following and indicate how these areas of experience have impacted your progress toward your future career goals in relation to becoming an "Outstanding Physician, AND...".

A-Describe your most unique leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activity. (800 characters)

B-Describe your most important volunteer work and why it was meaningful. (800 characters)

C-Describe your most scholarly project (thesis, research or field of study in basic or clinical science or in the humanities) and provide the total number of hours, dates and advisor. (800 characters)


3. Describe how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your pathway to medical school. Include any academic, personal, financial or professional barriers, as well as other relevant information. (800 characters)


4. Did you experience or are you anticipating time between graduating from college and matriculating into medical school?
If you answered “Yes” to question 4, describe the activities in which you participated or are planning to participate. Examples include additional schooling, employment, or caring for a loved one. (800 characters)


5. Do you identify as being part of a group that has been marginalized (examples include, but are not limited to, LGBTQIA, disabilities, federally recognized tribe) in terms of access to education or healthcare?
If you answered “Yes” to question 5, describe how this inequity has impacted you or your community and how educational disparity, health disparity and/or marginalization has impacted you and your community. (800 characters)


6. Are you re-applying to DGSOM?
If you answered “Yes” to question 9, describe what has changed since you last applied to DGSOM. Please be specific. (800 characters)
 
does anyone have insight to how their screening process works? do they review apps in order by verification date?
 
does anyone know if the primary received email always comes first? i haven't even gotten that yet
 
does anyone know if the primary received email always comes first? i haven't even gotten that yet
I did not received a primary received email, but got my secondary invite last night
 
My primary got verified early June and still nothing from ucla
They send secondaries out in waves, with higher stat or mission fit applicants getting invites sooner. Could also be based on when you were verified, but if you were before June 27th (when AMCAS sends primaries) it probably doesn’t play a role. They send them throughout the year though, so don’t sweat it yet, it’s literally their first batch.
 
How would you answer the research question if you have no pubs/posters? I work in clinical research but am not spearheading any project. Would it be fair game to talk about a major class project? For a class, we had to conduct an experiment start to finish on our own and then write a report and present our findings to the rest of the class.
 
How would you answer the research question if you have no pubs/posters? I work in clinical research but am not spearheading any project. Would it be fair game to talk about a major class project? For a class, we had to conduct an experiment start to finish on our own and then write a report and present our findings to the rest of the class.
You can also talk about your clinical research work. What do you do, what have you learned, etc. It may be odd to some folks that you work in research, but can't speak to it and need to go back to a class project. Of course, if you truly think your class project was much more valuable of a learning experience for you, then feel free to speak to that. Really no wrong answers here.
 
Top