Loma Linda

Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA · Private · MD

Average MCAT: 510
Average GPA: 3.85
Tuition: $71,746 (per year)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Nov. 2, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 3, 2026
Secondary deadline: Nov. 16, 2026

Essays

Essay 1 (275 words)

What makes LLUSM particularly attractive to you?

Essay 2 (275 words)

Our medical curriculum integrates spiritual, ethical, and relational issues from the Christian perspective into the practice of medicine. Religion courses and weekly chapel services are part of this program. Please respond to the preceding statements as they relate to your personal educational and career goals.

Essay 3 (275 words)

What personal attributes make you a desirable candidate for admission to LLUSM?

Essay 4 (275 words)

Identify experiences in your life that illustrate your service to others.

Essay 5 (275 words)

Discuss how your spiritual origins, development, and experiences have influenced and been integrated into your daily life.

Essay 6 (275 words)

Please describe your current involvement (or reason for not being involved) with a church or religious group.

Essay 7 (275 words)

If you have already graduated, briefly describe your activities since graduation and your planned activities prior to matriculation into medical school.

Editor's notes

Take the faith questions seriously, whatever your background. Two of the six required essays ask about your spiritual life and church involvement, and the curriculum includes religion courses and weekly chapel. The school admits people of other faiths who show a commitment to Christian beliefs and principles, so the question is how you'll engage with that, not whether you're Adventist.
Early decision here is real. The EDP AMCAS deadline is Aug. 3, 2026 and the secondary is due Aug. 17, and you can apply to no other school until Loma Linda decides by Oct. 1. If Loma Linda is clearly your first choice and your file is strong now, it's worth a look.
Plan your letters around the rules. A committee letter is required if your school offers one, and the file isn't reviewed until every letter you listed in AMCAS arrives. A pastor or clergy letter is on the school's own list of suggested writers.
Budget for the cost without counting on school aid. The school says there's little, if any, aid of its own, and first-year costs run about $109,000 off campus. Look at the regional campuses too, since the school says years spent there may carry a tuition incentive.