CUSM MBS 2026-2027

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lovecake

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Hi all!!

I don't see a thread for this yet. I hope to connect with other accepted students and let other applicants ask questions!
  • California University of Science and Medicine
Looking forward to it!
 
Has anyone here been admitted to an MD program after completing this MBS program?
 
How long did it take yall to hear back? waiting for 1 LOR but should be submitted by the end of the week.
also, any info on the % of MBS students matriculating to med schools other than CUSM?
 
How long did it take yall to hear back? waiting for 1 LOR but should be submitted by the end of the week.
also, any info on the % of MBS students matriculating to med schools other than CUSM?
hey I heard back about week later but it depends since it is so early in the cycle if they don't have enough applications to meet they will delay.
 
How long did it take yall to hear back? waiting for 1 LOR but should be submitted by the end of the week.
also, any info on the % of MBS students matriculating to med schools other than CUSM?
Hey, mine took about 2-3 weeks. I had called and they were not meeting that Friday due to not enough applicants but if I'm not mistaken, they meet every 2 weeks on Friday's is what I remember being told. I will say if you do get accepted, they will send an email on either that Friday or the following Monday. Good luck! 🙂
 
Hey guys I am a recent alumni (2024-2025) from the MBS class at CUSM who applied this cycle and got into their MD program starting this fall. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the program and process.
 
Hey guys I am a recent alumni (2024-2025) from the MBS class at CUSM who applied this cycle and got into their MD program starting this fall. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the program and process.
Congrats on matriculating! May I ask how your experience was during the MBS program (anything notable you're willing to share since this question is so open ended)? What made you choose CUSM's MBS over another program? Were professors helpful and easy to work with? Did you use CUSM's pipeline to their MD program or did you apply to other schools as well?
 
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Congrats on matriculating! May I ask how your experience was during the MBS program (anything notable you're willing to share since this question is so open ended)? What made you choose CUSM's MBS over another program? Were professors helpful and easy to work with? Did you use CUSM's pipeline to their MD program or did you apply to other schools as well?
Thank you! At the beginning of the program, I felt pretty intimidated by all the smart students who had gone to competitive undergrads, while I had just graduated from CSUSB. That feeling changed quickly though, because everyone was incredibly kind and supportive. The faculty, students, and staff genuinely want to see you succeed.

I chose CUSM primarily because of the MD program’s mission to serve underserved communities, which really resonated with me. As someone born and raised in the Inland Empire, staying local and giving back to my community was important. Hearing about the MBS program and the support it offered made it an easy choice.

I did not go through the conditional pathway to the MD program because I hadn’t taken the MCAT yet. After finishing the MBS program, I took the MCAT and qualified for the guaranteed interview. I applied to several other medical schools as well, but I only received interviews from CUSM and UCR.

Overall, the MBS program is intense, no sugarcoating it, but I am very grateful for the experience. It helped shape me into the student I am today and allowed me to build lifelong relationships. I would definitely recommend the MBS program to anyone considering it.
 
Thank you! At the beginning of the program, I felt pretty intimidated by all the smart students who had gone to competitive undergrads, while I had just graduated from CSUSB. That feeling changed quickly though, because everyone was incredibly kind and supportive. The faculty, students, and staff genuinely want to see you succeed.

I chose CUSM primarily because of the MD program’s mission to serve underserved communities, which really resonated with me. As someone born and raised in the Inland Empire, staying local and giving back to my community was important. Hearing about the MBS program and the support it offered made it an easy choice.

I did not go through the conditional pathway to the MD program because I hadn’t taken the MCAT yet. After finishing the MBS program, I took the MCAT and qualified for the guaranteed interview. I applied to several other medical schools as well, but I only received interviews from CUSM and UCR.

Overall, the MBS program is intense, no sugarcoating it, but I am very grateful for the experience. It helped shape me into the student I am today and allowed me to build lifelong relationships. I would definitely recommend the MBS program to anyone considering it.
Glad to hear how the program supported and aligned with your own values, CUSM sounds like the perfect school for you to pursue your medical degree at as well! Since some of the MBS courses sound like they overlap with undergraduate upper division coursework, how would you compare the level of difficulty between the two? Do you have any advice for managing/balancing the intensity of the courses?
 
Hey guys I am a recent alumni (2024-2025) from the MBS class at CUSM who applied this cycle and got into their MD program starting this fall. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the program and process.
Congrats! What is the class schedule like? Is it like 8-4 m-f and are they blocks or do you have each class for the full semester? Also what were the research papers like? Outside of the capstone
 
Congrats! What is the class schedule like? Is it like 8-4 m-f and are they blocks or do you have each class for the full semester? Also what were the research papers like? Outside of the capstone
I remember hearing that classes might run around (8am) 9 a.m.–12 p.m. M-Thu, but I’m not sure if that’s accurate.
 
Glad to hear how the program supported and aligned with your own values, CUSM sounds like the perfect school for you to pursue your medical degree at as well! Since some of the MBS courses sound like they overlap with undergraduate upper division coursework, how would you compare the level of difficulty between the two? Do you have any advice for managing/balancing the intensity of the courses?
Yes, so some topics within these classes do overlap with upper-division undergrad, However, pace and depth in the MBS program are on a completely different level. It’s much faster and more intense.

My biggest advice is to stay consistent from day one and treat it like a full-time job. Don’t fall behind, and lean on your classmates. It’s tough, but it definitely prepares you well. Also find on early what works for you when studying.
 
Congrats! What is the class schedule like? Is it like 8-4 m-f and are they blocks or do you have each class for the full semester? Also what were the research papers like? Outside of the capstone
Thank you! So class was Monday through Thursday 8 or 9am until 11am -12pm. No blocks, each class is for the full semester. Each class has an allotted time during the week and they use a flipped classroom model so class time focuses more on discussion and clarifying concepts.

As for research papers, outside of the capstone during the spring, we had to do a group research project in the fall as well.
 
Thank you! So class was Monday through Thursday 8 or 9am until 11am -12pm. No blocks, each class is for the full semester. Each class has an allotted time during the week and they use a flipped classroom model so class time focuses more on discussion and clarifying concepts.

As for research papers, outside of the capstone during the spring, we had to do a group research project in the fall as well.
Did you feel like you had time for ECs while doing the MBS? Thanks for giving us insight!
 
Thank you! So class was Monday through Thursday 8 or 9am until 11am -12pm. No blocks, each class is for the full semester. Each class has an allotted time during the week and they use a flipped classroom model so class time focuses more on discussion and clarifying concepts.

As for research papers, outside of the capstone during the spring, we had to do a group research project in the fall as well.
Are exams during these times too?
 
is there anyone out of state applying for this program? or anyone who applied out of state had success?
 
Did you feel like you had time for ECs while doing the MBS? Thanks for giving us insight!
I felt like I did. I worked part time as an EMT during the program and would try to volunteer at ARMC or local food bank when I could over the weekend and shadow this doctor I knew when I had time (3-4 times a month).
 
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Yes, sorry I didn’t mention it but we mainly had exams on Fridays.
are they like during normal class time in the same rooms but just Friday? sorry asking for purposes of trying to get a job that doesn't interfere
 
are they like during normal class time in the same rooms but just Friday? sorry asking for purposes of trying to get a job that doesn't interfere
No worries and yes just Friday. I believe exams were at 9am every Friday. So let’s say we had Biochem Mondays at 10am, the midterm for that class would be 9am Friday. Only one midterm per week
 
I did not. I'm taking mine late April
I applied with a very average gpa so I’m scared maybe it’s the waiting that’s killing me inside haha how long did it take you to hear back? Also did they email you after to say they received everything?
 
I applied with a very average gpa so I’m scared maybe it’s the waiting that’s killing me inside haha how long did it take you to hear back? Also did they email you after to say they received everything?
I did get an email with confirmation and it just depends on if there’s been a lot of applicants or not. I only had to wait around 1-2 weeks but I think some other people waited a month+ due to low applicant numbers. My GPA is probably below average honestly but I do have some IE ties. I have family there.
 
I applied with a very average gpa so I’m scared maybe it’s the waiting that’s killing me inside haha how long did it take you to hear back? Also did they email you after to say they received everything?
Have you heard back? I am too waiting, and dont know how to feel haha
 
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is there anyone out of state applying for this program? or anyone who applied out of state had success?
I applied from OOS and got in. There are a few people from out of state in our current class from Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
 
For those of you who already accepted, can I ask what topics you mentioned in your PS? I was advised to consider my role as a scientist when writing it, but I'm honestly not sure what that means outside of research and moving healthcare forward. I'm an IE resident but my undergrad GPA is below what they prefer, so I'm really nervous about how the rest of my app makes up for it. I did explain my GPA as it was circumstantial and contributes to my story/path to medicine, so I'm hoping that counts for something
 
For those of you who already accepted, can I ask what topics you mentioned in your PS? I was advised to consider my role as a scientist when writing it, but I'm honestly not sure what that means outside of research and moving healthcare forward. I'm an IE resident but my undergrad GPA is below what they prefer, so I'm really nervous about how the rest of my app makes up for it. I did explain my GPA as it was circumstantial and contributes to my story/path to medicine, so I'm hoping that counts for something
Current MBS student. Talk about your experiences and also how that aligns with your path to medicine. Everyone can talk your role as a scientist, but if your goal is eventually to become a physician or a scientist that part will always be there. But what matters is YOUR story, WHO you are, and what do you hope to contribute to the field someday. The admissions team at CUSM for this program uses a wholistic approach. If you are doing this program to enhance your background I would address that and also mention what you hope to get out of this program.
 
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