California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP) - LA Med
Regional Hub for Healthcare Opportunity (RHHO)
Welcome to the CMSP - LA Med RHHO
The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP) is a longitudinal pathway program that supports students from community college through their preparation for medical school.
The LA Med Hub connects community colleges, four-year universities, and community and clinical partners to help aspiring physicians achieve their goals.
Program Overview
Scholars receive comprehensive guidance and support throughout their educational journey, beginning at their community college, continuing through the transfer process, and extending through their undergraduate experience. The LA Med Hub provides a combination of structured programming, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, students gain the tools and skills necessary to become competitive medical school applicants.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have documentation of approved Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in the State of California
- Be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2027
- Have graduated from high school or completed an equivalent credential (e.g., GED or CHSPE)
- Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in medicine and a strong interest in primary care
- Be currently enrolled at one of the following LA Med Hub community college partner institutions (dual-enrollment high school students are not eligible):
- Long Beach City College
- Los Angeles Pierce College
- Santa Monica College
- West Los Angeles College
- Have completed at least 12 credits at a California community college at the time of application
- Plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in Fall 2027 or later
- Not be currently enrolled at a four-year college or university
- Not have earned an associate's degree or bachelor's degree as of Fall 2026
Program Benefits & Services
Throughout the program, scholars participate in activities focused on:
- Academic success and transfer preparation
- Medical school advising and guidance
- Physician, medical student, and peer mentorship
- Professional and leadership development
- Healthcare and clinical career exploration
- Community engagement and service
- Personal and professional growth
The program is designed to provide sustained support over multiple years, helping scholars build the confidence, network, and experiences needed to successfully pursue a career in medicine.
Partner Institutions & Community Partners
The LA Med Hub is part of the California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP) network, administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Through partnerships across Los Angeles County, LA Med Hub supports community college students as they navigate the pathway to becoming physicians and healthcare leaders dedicated to improving the health and well-being of California's communities.
Led by the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, LA Med Hub brings together a highly coordinated network of community colleges, four-year universities, and community and clinical partners. This collaborative effort is designed to strengthen transfer success, academic achievement, retention, and medical school competitiveness for community college students pursuing careers in medicine.
CMSP - LA Med Partners
| Community Colleges | 4-Year Universities | Community and Clinical Partners | Medical School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach City College | California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) | Clinica Romero | David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | California State University, Northridge (CSUN) | Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers | |
| Santa Monica College | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County | |
| West Los Angeles College | Health Career Connection | ||
| Heroes LLC | |||
| MiMentor | |||
| PreMedCC | |||
| Puente Foundation |
Application Information
Important Dates
| CMSP - LA Med Admissions Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Tuesday, September 15 at 10AM PST |
| Application Closes | Monday, November 16 at Noon PST |
| Decision Notification | Friday, December 11 |
| CMSP - LA Med Orientation | Saturday, January 9 from 9am - 3pm PST |
Application Specifics
Mission-Aligned Review Process
The CMSP - LA Med Program is focused on strengthening the future physician workforce serving Los Angeles County and California's medically underserved communities. As part of the selection process, the program seeks applicants whose experiences and goals align with its mission.
Mission-aligned factors may include:
- Strong ties to Los Angeles County (e.g., high school attendance, birthplace, residence, or family residence)
- First-generation college student status
- A demonstrated desire to serve Los Angeles County and/or California after completing medical training
- Economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds
- Commitment to serving medically under resourced communities
Application Logistics
Thank you for your interest in the CMSP - LA Med Program! We’re excited that you’re considering applying.
This application will take about 30-40 minutes to complete. Please make sure you have enough time to complete ALL questions asked. We encourage you to finish the application in one sitting, as you may not be able to save your progress.
Before you begin, please be prepared to provide:
- Basic personal and contact information
- Information on your high school (or GED), community college, and any institutions of higher education that you have attended
- Digital copies of unofficial transcripts of ALL schools attended (community college and above)
- Written responses for short answer essay prompts
- Contact Information for your Letter of Recommendation writer
- The instructions for submitting the Letter of Recommendation can be in the Letter of Recommendation section below.
- Please note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to send instructions on how to submit Letters of Recommendation to letter writers and ensure submission of letters before the application deadline.
Short Essay Questions
We encourage you to complete your responses in advance before beginning your application.
You will be able to copy and paste your pre-written short essay responses into the CMSP – LA Med application
- Please tell us a little bit about you and what motivates your interest in participating in the LA Med program. You may include your personal experiences, academic journey, and anything of note you would like the admissions committee to consider. (Maximum response length: 2,000 Characters)
- The medical field has many different roles, please explain why you are specifically interested in becoming a physician and which areas (academic, personal, professional, and career) do you hope to develop and improve during this longitudinal program? (Maximum response length: 2,000 Characters)
- Pursuing a career in medicine requires dedication and determination. Please describe an experience where you demonstrated tenacity while overcoming a challenge and how it will prepare you to succeed in the LA Med program. (Maximum response length: 2,000 Characters)
- Describe a community health challenge that matters to you. Who does it affect, and how do you hope to contribute to improving that health disparity in the future. (Maximum response length: 2,000 Characters)
Letter of Recommendation
The CMSP - LA Med Application requires one (1) Letter of Recommendation from a professional reference.
Letter Requirements:
- The Letter of Recommendation must come from a professional reference such as: academic advisor, staff, or professor.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to send instructions on how to submit Letter of Recommendation to letter writers and ensure submission of letter before the application deadline.
- All Letters of Recommendation must be submitted by Monday, November 16, 2026 at Noon PST. There will be no exceptions or considerations for late Letters of Recommendation, including those that arrive Monday, November 16, 2026 at 12:01pm PST
Information Applicant Needs To Send To Letter Writer:
How To Submit Letter or Recommendation
Letter of Recommendation Writer:
CMSP - LA Med Application
