Application Information

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 units at a California community college by January 1, 2027
• 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

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 

• If I have completed semesters at a 4-year university, but did not graduate, and am currently enrolled at a community college, am I still eligible? 
  • Yes, students who have not completed an undergraduate degree (either BA or BS) are eligible to apply. 
• Can I apply if I am an international student? 
  • International students are eligible if they are a permanent resident, or have documentation of approved Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in the State of California 
• Can I still apply if I graduated from a high school in another country? 
  • Yes, so long as you meet the other eligibility criteria. 
• What if I plan to attend a 4-year university outside of California?  
  • Students transferring to a 4-year university outside of California will still receive support from LA Med. Some of that support may be offered virtually, but we will continue to be available to assist them. 

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.

Have this information ready prior to starting your application:

• 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.
     

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
 

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. 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)

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:

Submit Letter of Recommendation