The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) offers three different pathways for applicants to obtain a medical degree: Traditional MD Program, Prime-LA Program (a dual program with six master’s options), and the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). The campus culture is driven by a school-wide initiative coined the “Cultural North Star,” which encompasses the following values: Do What’s Right, Make Things Better, and Be Kind. A top-tier medical school, DGSOM is implementing a new HEALS (Healer, Educator, Advocate, Leader, Scholar) curriculum that offers early clinical exposure for students, case-based learning, and scholarship.  

DGSOM seeks applicants who are not only academically exceptional but also intellectually driven, resilient, and committed to advancing medical knowledge. With a legacy of groundbreaking discoveries – from identifying the first case of AIDS to pioneering targeted cancer therapies – DGSOM values students who embrace research as a means to drive change and improve lives worldwide. The school looks for future physicians who thrive in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments, are eager to integrate science with patient care, and are prepared to adapt to the evolving intersection of medicine, societal needs, and technology. Above all, DGSOM seeks individuals ready to lead and innovate in shaping the future of healthcare.

DGSOM Secondary Essay Tips 

Essay #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)

Reflect on what societal missions are important to you. Use these goals and passions to complete the mission statement of becoming an “Outstanding Physician, AND….” Will you be an outstanding physician AND scientist, leader, advocate, policymaker, teacher, etc.? Choose something that reflects a mission that you have worked toward. Consider meaningful community service, research projects, or advocacy efforts in which you have participated. Why are they meaningful to you? Describe how you have worked toward this mission in the past and why you wish to continue to embrace it as a DGSOM student. How does your mission influence your goals for a future career in medicine?

Essay #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)

Considering your response to the first prompt on your personal mission, reflect on any leadership, entrepreneurial, or creative activities that have contributed to this mission. Consider times when you have pushed for a change, thought of a creative solution to a problem, or led others in efforts to further your mission. Describe the cause and what actions you took. What made this experience unique? What did you learn from it? How did you grow as a person (consider traits such as empathy, communication, adaptability, and resilience)? Be sure to connect your experiences to your mission and your career goals of becoming an “Outstanding Physician, AND….”

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

Considering your response to the first prompt, reflect on the volunteer work that has been most meaningful to you and your personal mission. Describe the work you did and why it is particularly important to you. What impact did you make through your volunteer work? What did you learn? How did this experience contribute to or shape your mission and goals for a future career in medicine? You may include any plans to continue this type of work as a future DGSOM student. 

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)

Consider your most meaningful research experience (the prompt describes examples such as your thesis or research in basic science, clinical science, or humanities). Have you contributed to a scholarly project that has influenced your personal missions or career goals? It does not have to be directly related to the specific topic of your mission, but you should demonstrate how your research experience influenced your interests. Describe the issue or field that your scholarly project explored. How did you contribute to this field of study? Why is it particularly meaningful to you? What did you learn? 

Essay #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)

Reflect on how your path to medical school has been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Did you face additional academic, financial, or personal challenges? Did the pandemic hinder your ability to pursue shadowing, community service, research, or other activities? Did you care for a sick family member or take on any additional responsibilities in your household? Describe these barriers and how you were able to overcome them on your journey to medicine.

You may also consider the ways in which the pandemic revealed new opportunities or changed your perception of healthcare. Did it change your understanding of healthcare inequities? Did you care for a sick family member or volunteer to help deliver food in your community? You may discuss any impact that COVID-19 had on your decision to apply to medical school. 

Essay #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)

Answer this prompt only if you graduated college and you have taken or plan to take gap year(s) before matriculating into medical school. Describe your plan for this upcoming year. This could include but is not limited to employment, research, community service, shadowing, and any other activities or hobbies. Are you working on research publications or presentations? Are you planning to attend a conference? What will you do in your free time? Your response should provide the admissions committee with a picture of how you will spend your time leading up to medical school matriculation. If you have already taken a gap year (or gap years), be sure to also include how you have spent your time. 

Essay #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)

Answer this prompt only if it applies to you. Describe the marginalization or inequities you have experienced. How did it impact your life and your community? What challenges did you overcome on your journey to medical school? How have these experiences influenced your values, perspectives, and goals? You may wish to connect your experience with educational or health disparity to your reasons for applying to medical school or your goals as a future physician. 

Essay #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)

Answer this Yes/No question. If you are a reapplicant, one of the most important things to demonstrate is growth since your prior application. Growth can be in clinical work, research, leadership, volunteerism, and basic readiness for medical school. Be honest regarding the weaker areas on your past application, and then clearly state the steps you took to address and strengthen these areas. We highly recommend quantifying your work when possible. For example, it is a stronger statement to inform the admissions committee that you have “accumulated an additional 400 hours of direct patient care” versus stating that you have “lots of additional clinical experience.” Finally, with any remaining character room, reflect on how you have grown, what you have learned, and what you will bring to the M1 class at DGSOM.  

UCLA Application Timeline

Key Events	Timeline
AMCAS application deadline	October 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Secondary application deadline	2 weeks from the date and time of invitation
Screening of completed applications	July-November
Interviews	August-March
Offers of admission*	Starting October 15, 2025

*Applicant’s response to acceptance offer: Maximum time, 15 days

Source: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Class Profile

Here is a look at the DGSOM 2025 US News & World Report overview: 

Total enrollment: 725

In-state students: 59.2%

Minority students: 67.6%

International students: 6.2%

Non-traditional students: 91%

Female: 59%

Male: 40.4%

Other gender: 0.6%

As the former assistant dean of student affairs at the William Beaumont School of Medicine and former director of pre-health advisement and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program at Sacred Heart University, Dr. Valerie Wherely brings more than 20 years of success working with pre-health candidates in medicine, dental, vet, PA, PT, OT, exercise science, and nursing. Her clients appreciate her expertise in the holistic admissions process and her patient, thoughtful, strategic, and data-driven working style. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources

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• Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s podcast for med school applicants