PRIME programs at UC Med Schools

[puppiesarecute]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Many of the UC Med schools are offering a PRIME program (Program in Medical Education) to train physicians to serve a variety of different underserved communities. For example, UCI has the PRIME-LC, UCSF has the PRIME-US, and UC Davis has the Rural-PRIME program. They're usually 5 year program resulting in a joint MD/Masters degree. I have looked on the various websites for some basic information, but I was wondering if anyone had any more information on these programs such as the extra elective classes you have to take, clinical experiences, etc. Also, I heard that the program pays for your medical school tuition...is that true?

Any additional information would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[starflower]

I just read a post about the UCLA PRIME program, and I'm also curious about the others (rural PRIME at Davis and Latino PRIME at Irivne).

Did anyone apply to these programs? Does anyone know how competetive they are?

What were interviews like for these programs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[taponthecloud]

I just read a post about the UCLA PRIME program, and I'm also curious about the others (rural PRIME at Davis and Latino PRIME at Irivne).

Did anyone apply to these programs? Does anyone know how competetive they are?

What were interviews like for these programs?

Thanks in advance.

There's also a PRIME-US at UCSF btw. My friend interviewed last year for Irvine's PRIME-LC. I know that the interview is done in Spanish.

 

[starflower]

Thanks. Would you happen to know your friend's stats?

 

[starflower]

Bump.

 

[gotmeds?]

Also, I heard that the program pays for your medical school tuition...is that true?

No, but you do get a pretty generous scholarship. I'll leave it at that.

 

[howdy2u]

The prime programs are actually really competitive. Just realize that they are by no means backdoor entrances to the UC schools. They're uber-competitve because the number of seats are limited. UCLA wants an extensive history of commitment to the underserved. UCI wants the commitment to underserved with an emphasis in the Latino/Spanish-speaking population. I'm not sure about Prime-US at UCSF...but hell it's UCSF...I'm sure that you've gotta be a genius and a saint!

 

[notdeadyet]

The prime programs are actually really competitive. Just realize that they are by no means backdoor entrances to the UC schools. They're uber-competitve because the number of seats are limited. UCLA wants an extensive history of commitment to the underserved. UCI wants the commitment to underserved with an emphasis in the Latino/Spanish-speaking population. I'm not sure about Prime-US at UCSF...but hell it's UCSF...I'm sure that you've gotta be a genius and a saint!

Prime at UCSF is devoted to the urban underserved. Prime at Davis is rural underserved.

The program competitiveness varies a lot from campus to campus. Though none of them are easy, if you're good enough to get accepted to their respective UC, you're in the running for a Prime slot. Just realize that they are very (refreshingly) subjective about admissions. They are really looking for a demonstrated commitment to the underserved. They aren't scrutizing your MCAT at this stage.

 

[notdeadyet]

No, but you do get a pretty generous scholarship. I'll leave it at that.

No, it depends on the program. The UCI-Latino PRIME program has scholarships. The UCSF PRIME-US program has no scholarship. And all the programs are pretty good about weeding through apps, so I wouldn't look at it as a scholarship opportunity.

OP- It's hard to generalize about the programs, because they're related in name only. Each one has a different emphasis and each program is differently run.

In the UCSF program, you take the same classes in MSI and MSII as everyone else, but you can tailor your third and fourth year curriculum to do rotations in your target communities (lots of time at SF General, for one). I believe you are assigned a mentor. It used to be an optional fifth year (usually between 2nd/3rd, but you can do it between 3rd/4th) for an MPH, but I believe it is now required. It is an extremely competitve program.

In the UC Davis program, all medical students take a Doctoring course the first two years, one part of which is working with a facilitator. PRIME students are assinged to rural underserved focused facilitators. Also, during core rotations in 3rd years, many of the rotations are at rural sites, including options for Native American reservations and whatnot.

I'm not familiar with the UCI-Latino program other than that the interview is conducted in Spanish. That pretty much ended my investigation into it.

Look at the websites for the different programs and you'll find a lot more detail than I'm giving here.