UC Davis

University of California, Davis School of Medicine Sacramento, CA · Public · MD

Average MCAT: 511
Average GPA: 3.71
Class size: 139
Tuition: $62,214 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Limited

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Oct. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: 30 days after secondary invitation (invites July-Dec 31)

Essays

Concerns (optional) (500 characters)

Discuss any elements of your application that you feel might be concerning to the Admissions Committee (This could include explanation of metric trends, institutional actions, legal violations, etc.) Please enter N/A if no concerns to report.

Connection to Northern or Central California (1,000 characters)

Do you have a connection to Northern or Central California? (Yes/No) Please explain.

Activities (three) (500 characters each)

Please list the activities you would like to be considered in your application to UC Davis. The secondary activities may be used to highlight your experiences specifically relevant for UC Davis. You may use your most meaningful experiences listed in your initial AMCAS application or select/add others that may be relevant to UC Davis. Please only list three. The admissions committee will review all AMCAS application activities as well; this an opportunity to highlight your most meaningful and/or relevant to UC Davis School of Medicine. Please list your actual hours completed at the time of your secondary submission, not projected commitment. Therefore, enter your secondary application submission date as your end date for activities still in progress.

Editor's notes

Answer the California connection question as if it's the most important box in the secondary. The Class of 2029 drew 60.4% of its students from UC campuses and 14.4% from Cal State, 91% of the 2026 graduates matched in California, and the committee lists geographic origin among the attributes it reviews. If you're from out of state, show a real reason you'd serve Northern or Central California.
The PREview requirement is hard. No score by Sept. 30, 2026 means no further consideration, even though AAMC offers the test into October. Book it before you submit AMCAS.
Pathway programs are where UC Davis is distinctive, and each one is a separate essay and a second interview. Pick only the ones your record supports. Checking Rural-PRIME, TEACH-MS and Tribal Health PRIME together with no rural, urban or tribal experience reads as box-ticking.
Rolling decisions start Oct. 15 and secondaries are due 30 days after the invitation, so speed helps. The file you submit is also final: the committee takes no activity updates or extra letters later. Put your best version in the first time.