UCLA Pre-Medical Enrichment Program (UCLA PREP)

UCLA PREP 2017 Cohort. Photo Credit: Tim Nguyen

 
UCLA Pre-medical/Pre-dental Enrichment Program (UCLA PREP)

UCLA PREP is a non-residential program designed to provide premedical and predental students from disadvantaged backgrounds with a means of strengthening their ability and readiness to study medicine or dentistry. As a result of full participation in UCLA PREP, participants should have enhanced their chances of being accepted to medical or dental school and succeeding once there.

Important Dates:

January 3, 2017 – Application Opens
February 1, 2017 - Early Admissions Deadline (11:59 PST)
March 1, 2017* – Regular Admissions Deadline (11:59 PST) 

June 19, 2017 - Program Starts

July 21, 2017 - Program Ends

*THE APPLICATION FOR PREP 2017 IS NOW CLOSED. Rolling Admissions:Applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come, first-served and space-available basis. 

Student Eligibility

Students are eligible for UCLA PREP as long as they have not previously applied to medical and/or dental school. We accept community college, out-of-state and post-baccalaureate students. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Come from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background.
• Applicants must be a U.S citizen or hold a permanent resident visa, or documentation of approved eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the State of California
• Minimum 2.5 science GPA for freshmen and sophomores
• Minimum 2.8 science GPA for juniors and seniors
• One year of biology or chemistry completed by the beginning of the program
• Two (2) letters of recommendation, one from a science professor and one from a counselor/premedical advisor or employer/internship recommending participation in the PREP program
• Demonstrated interest in addressing issues affecting underserved populations in healthcare.
• Compelling personal statement

Program Information

Academic Component
Students will work at a rigorous pace with a highly focused scope to prepare for the MCAT and DAT. Participants will engage in an extensive and lively classroom review of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Verbal Reasoning. Beyond learning and reinforcing scientific facts, participants learn to manipulate and integrate the information through analytical thinking. To further enhance the classroom experience, participants are assigned to small study groups lead by medical and dental students. In addition, students are introduced to problem based intensive workshops covering reading, writing and critical thinking. These skills, which are improved during the summer, have considerable value throughout the student’s academic and professional life.

You can view a sample from our PREP 2016 schedule here: Sample Schedule: PREP 2016

Note: This is not a test preparation program and applicants are advised that independent study time is limited

Career Guidance and Personal Development
Through individual counseling, guest lectures and personal development workshops, which include topics such as; Study Skills and Time Management, Financial Planning, Application Procedures & Strategies, Interviewing Skills, Networking, complementary medicine, and Issues of Modern Medicine; participants are able to more realistically prepare themselves to successfully reach their goals. The most critical of these are the “Life Management” series and the ongoing values clarification sessions called “A Winner…You”, which provide a safe venue for participants to explore their inner calling and motivation.

Clinical Preceptorships
Participants are assigned to observe practicing physicians, dentists and medical researchers performing the typical functions of their profession. The clinical settings range from any of the UCLA affiliated hospitals and clinics to private practice settings, community clinics and health maintenance organizations. This invaluable experience allows PREP students to interact with established practitioners who are addressing the constantly changing problems of modern medicine. Students can project themselves into a variety of roles and can make more realistic self-evaluations of their own motivation and intentions surrounding their career choice. In addition, many mentorship relationships grow from these experiences.

Special Events
PREP participants will explore the healthcare delivery system and the unique diversity of L.A on all-da “Vistas of Los Angeles” site tours. Students will also gain the opportunity to personally meet with invited recruiters from health professional schools from around the country.

Fees
There is no tuition for participation. Students who must relocate to participate in the program may be eligible for a stipend depending on availability of funds.

Helpful Links:

PREP 2017 Application process

PREP 2017 FAQ

Sample Schedule: PREP 2016

Program Administration

Please send all inquiries to: UCLAPREP@mednet.ucla.edu

David Geffen School of Medicine
Diversity Inclusion, & Outreach
885 Tiverton Avenue Suite 305
Los Angeles, CA 90095 
(310) 825-3575