Apply for UCLA STAR Program

Information on How to Apply

Eligibility

Candidates planning a career in the subspecialties of Medicine or Pediatrics generally apply to the STAR Program in conjunction with their specialty clinical fellowship application. In the surgical specialties (i.e. Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Ophthalmology), Pathology, and in Dermatology, applications are typically submitted at the time of residency application. Selection criteria include academic achievement, research experience, and clinical performance. In most cases, interviews for the STAR program and the clinical fellowship or residency are coordinated

Linda Liau, M.D., Ph.D. with a patient

STAR Alumni Linda Liau, MD, PhD with a patient

Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree (or its foreign equivalent) plus a professional health degree (i.e. MD, DDS, DNSc or PhD).
  • Physician candidates should have completed most of their clinical requirements for Board eligibility in their chosen specialty/subspecialty at the time of application.

Deadlines

Although applications for the STAR Program are considered at any time, the application deadline for the corresponding clinical training program applies. To be part of the STAR Program requires matching into a clinical training program at UCLA. Therefore, applicants should apply to STAR concomitantly with their ERAS application to the clinical training program and indicate their interest in STAR to the director of the clinical training program. 

How to Apply

In most cases, the application for a clinical fellowship is sufficient. Kindly inform your fellowship coordinator and/or fellowship director of your interest in applying to the STAR program, they will work with us to arrange your interview process. If not already included in your ERAS application, you may also provide:

  1. Personal Statement: Indicate the clinical training and research areas you wish to pursue in the STAR Program. Describe your research interests and accomplishments as well as the role you expect research to have in your long-term career as well as your goals and preferred research directions (including potential mentors and departments, if known). Limit 2 pages.
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Letters of Recommendation: In addition to the letters of recommendation for clinical residency or fellowship, at least one letter from a research mentor is required. This letter should evaluate your performance and potential in research. The letters should be mailed separately by your evaluators.
  4. Transcripts: Official undergraduate transcripts (required for UCLA Graduate school admission) must be submitted before acceptance into the STAR program. For the application, photocopies of medical school and any other graduate transcripts are required. 
  5. Scores: GRE, MCAT, and/or USMLE or other appropriate scores. Photocopies are acceptable.
  6. Reprints of Publications: Photocopies are acceptable.