Frequently Asked Questions
What is UCLA PRIME? A five-year dual degree program focusing on the development of leaders in medicine addressing policy, care and research in healthcare for the underserved.
How long has the UCLA PRIME program been in existence? This is the second year for the UCLA PRIME program. Our first UCLA PRIME cohort of 18 students matriculated in July of 2008. Each UC Medical School has a PRIME, the other programs started prior to this year.
When is the deadline for designating UCLA PRIME on my AMCAS application?
November 1, 2009
Will applying to UCLA PRIME affect my UCLA SOM application? UCLA PRIME is a separate program from the UCLA SOM application. There will not be an effect on your UCLA SOM application.
I have turned in my secondary for UCLA SOM; do I still need to turn one in for UCLA PRIME? Yes, once UCLA PRIME receives your primary application from AMCAS we will screen applications on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be evaluated using criteria that includes experience with and commitment to working with underserved populations as well as experience in leadership roles. Additional review of the strength of the application will include the core objective criteria of GPA's and MCAT's, a secondary application, letters of recommendation and for the final round of candidates structured personal interviews.
Once I receive my secondary from UCLA PRIME, how long will I have to turn it in? Upon email notification that you have been invited to submit a supplemental application form you must have it in our office on the date indicated in the email notification that was sent to you via the UCLA PRIME email.
What is the secondary fee for UCLA PRIME? $70 paid to: UC Regents
I have already interviewed with UCLA SOM, will I need to return for another interview with UCLA PRIME? Yes, if you are invited to interview with UCLA PRIME you must participate in our interview process.
If I am accepted to UCLA PRIME, does that exclude me from being accepted to UCLA SOM? Students may be accepted into both programs; in the end the student will decide which one meets their career goals.
Will applying to UCLA PRIME increase my chances of being accepted to UCLA SOM? No, students should only apply to UCLA PRIME if they have a commitment to serve, and experience working with, diverse medically disadvantaged populations.
At what point do I select between the 3 different UCLA PRIME programs: PRIME UCLA/CDU, PRIME UCLA-UCR, and PRIME UCLA-Westwood? Upon receiving the secondary application, students will be able to select, one, two or all three program sites.
Will I take classes with the UCLA SOM medical students? Students that are accepted to the PRIME UCLA/CDU and PRIME UCLA-Westwood will take classes at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Students that have been accepted to the PRIME UCLA-UCR program will take classes at UCR for the first two years. Students that have been accepted to PRIME UCLA/CDU will take classes associated with that program their final year.
Where will I complete my masters program? Most participants will complete their work at UCLA.
Do I need to take the GRE, GMAT before applying to UCLA PRIME? No, however MBA students will need to take the GMAT before being accepted to the MBA program.
Is there funding for UCLA PRIME? Students will need to apply to FASFA for financial aid. All tuition and fees may be available provided to UCLA PRIME students during their 5th year.
What courses fulfill the admission requirements for UCLA PRIME?
The admission requirements are satisfied by the following courses:
| ENGLISH | One year of college English to include the study of English composition |
| PHYSICS | One year of college Physics (with lab) |
| CHEMISTRY | Two years of college chemistry to include the study of inorganic chemistry, quantitative analysis and organic chemistry (with lab) |
| BIOLOGY | One year of general biology (with lab) |
| MATHEMATICS | One year of college mathematics to include the study of introductory calculus and statistics |
| SPANISH | Highly recommended |
| HUMANITIES | Highly recommended |
| COMPUTER SKILLS | Highly recommended |
When is the last day UCLA PRIME will send out supplemental application invitations? January 15, 2010
When will we be notified if we have been granted an interview for UCLA PRIME? We will begin to invite students to interviews in early January.
When are the interview dates for UCLA PRIME? Interview dates for the 2009-10 application year are February 6-7 and March 13th. Interviews are conducted on weekends and a typically interview day runs from 8am to 5 pm.
When should I send my letters of recommendation to UCLA PRIME?
Please do not send in your letters of recommendation until you have been invited to submit a supplemental application.
Where can I find my admissions status for UCLA PRIME?
The UCLA PRIME Admission Status Information page is available at https://www.medstudent.ucla.edu/applications/appstat/appforms/prime/status.htm
If my UCLA PRIME Admissions Status page is blank, what does this mean?
If your admissions status page is blank, it means that your primary application has not been screened.
If my UCLA PRIME Admissions Status page indicates an “error”, what does this mean?
If your admissions status page has an error on it please email us at UCLAPRIME@mednet.ucla.edu and provide us with your name and AMCAS ID#.
If my UCLA PRIME Admissions Status page indicates “requested”, what does this mean?
If your admissions status page indicates “requested”, this means that you have been invited to submit the UCLA PRIME Supplemental Information Form.