What is PRIME-LA?
PRIME-LA (Program in Medical Education- Leadership and Advocacy) is a five-year concurrent/dual degree program focusing on the development of leaders and advocates in medicine addressing policy, care and research in healthcare for the underserved. PRIME-LA is one of four Medical Education Programs at UCLA. Each year’s cohort is composed of approximately 18 students.
How long has the PRIME-LA program been in existence?
This is the 12th year for the PRIME-LA program. Our first PRIME-LA cohort of 18 students matriculated in July of 2008. Each UC Medical School has a PRIME, the other programs started prior to this year.
What does PRIME-LA look for in a candidate?
Qualified candidates will be evaluated using criteria that includes experience with and commitment to working with underserved populations as well as experience in leadership roles. Additional review of the strength of the application will include the core objective criteria of GPA's and MCAT's, a secondary application, letters of recommendation and for the final round of candidates structured personal interviews.
At what point do I select between the 2 different PRIME-LA program designations: PRIME-LA CDU (Charles Drew Univewrsity/UCLA Medical Education Program) and PRIME-LA Westwood?
When you receive your Supplemental application, you will be given an opportunity to specify a preference for: PRIME-LA Westwood, PRIME-LA CDU, or Both PRIME-LA Westwood and PRIME-LA CDU. Each year’s cohort is composed of approximately 18 students. Students will identify with one of two PRIME-LA designations: PRIME-LA Westwood (14) or PRIME-LA CDU (4). All applicants are also given consideration for the MD program if desired. Starting with the 2019-2020 application cycle all applicants who apply to PRIME-LA, if desired, will be simultaneously given consideration for the MD only program in addition to PRIME-LA. If an applicant is deemed “acceptable” for both PRIME and the MD program, the applicant will have two interviews, the PRIME-LA and the MD program interviews.
Is there funding for PRIME-LA?
Students will need to apply to FASFA for financial aid. Medical tuition and fees are provided to PRIME-LA students during their 5th year.
Will I take classes with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA medical students?
Yes. PRIME-LA is one of four Medical Education Programs at UCLA. Students that are accepted to the PRIME-LA CDU and PRIME-LA Westwood will take classes at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Students that have been accepted to PRIME UCLA/CDU will take classes associated with that program their final year.
What is the Oldest MCAT scores considered?
June 2016
What courses fulfill the admission requirements for PRIME-LA?
NOTE: Beginning in the 2018 admissions cycle, DGSOM at UCLA will be moving towards competency-based entrance requirements.
A. A successful DGSOM at UCLA applicant will have demonstrated attainment of knowledge in the following topics:
B. A successful DGSOM at UCLA applicant will have demonstrated attainment of skills in the following areas:
C. A successful DGSOM at UCLA applicant will have demonstrated awareness in:
*Please note AP credit is acceptable
When is the deadline for designating PRIME-LA on my AMCAS application?
October 15, 2019
Is the application process for applying to PRIME-LA and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA separate?
Applicants who wish to apply to PRIME-LA should select the "Combined Medical Degree/Graduate program" option for the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) on your AMCAS application. Selection of this option will allow your application to be considered for both the regular MD degree program and the PRIME-LA concurrent/dual degree program. Applicants who are interested in obtaining a dual degree, but are not interested in PRIME-LA, should opt for the Regular MD program.
Will applying to PRIME-LA affect my David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA application?
In the AMCAS online application, choose "Combined Medical Degree/Graduate program" to apply to PRIME-LA. Applicants who apply to DGSOM and select the "Combined Medical Degree/Graduate program" option will be simultaneously screened for both PRIME-LA program and the Regualr MD program if desired. If the applicant is acceptable for both DGSOM and PRIME-LA, two offers to interview will be extended. If the applicant is not acceptable for PRIME-LA, they may still be offered an interview for the MD program. Applicants will be able to interview seperately for both programs.
Will applying to PRIME-LA increase my chances of being accepted to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA ?
Applicants who apply to DGSOM and select the MD-Graduate program option will be screened for both PRIME-LA program and the Regular MD degree program. If the applicant is acceptable for both DGSOM and PRIME-LA, an offer to interview will be extended. If the applicant is not acceptable for PRIME-LA, they may still be offered an interview for the MD program.
When should I send my letters of recommendation to PRIME-LA?
Please do not send in your letters of recommendation until you have been invited to submit a supplemental application. Once you have been invited to submit a supplemental, have one of your letter writters comment on you potenital and/or expereince with leadership in underserved communities.
What if my contact information changes?
All changes in your contact information must be submitted to AMCAS in order for the change to be official.
I have updates for my application (i.e. new research, publication, employment, etc...). How can I inform PRIME-LA about these updates?
While you can submit updates via email, please note that they will not be part of your primary application. They will not be considered in the screening process for a secondary or an interview.
When is the latest I can take the MCAT?
The MCAT must be taken not later than September of the year preceding admission to the School of Medicine. After January 2018 (when the old MCAT reaches expiration), only the 2015 MCAT will be acceptable.
Can I meet with someone at the PRIME-LA admissions office to discuss my application and possibly provide some feedback?
In order to maintain a fair process for all applicants the Admissions Office cannot meet with applicants in person. Please email us any questions you may have and we will be happy to answer them.
I have turned in my secondary for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA ; do I still need to turn one in for PRIME-LA?
Yes, once PRIME-LA receives your primary application from AMCAS we will screen applications on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be evaluated using criteria that includes experience with and commitment to working with underserved populations as well as experience in leadership roles. Additional review of the strength of the application will include the core objective criteria of GPA's and MCAT's, a secondary application, letters of recommendation and for the final round of candidates structured personal interviews.
Once I receive my supplemental application from PRIME-LA, how long will I have to turn it in?
30 days after the date of the supplemental application request letter, or November 21, 2019, whichever is earlier.
When should I send my letters of recommendation to PRIME-LA?
Please do not send in your letters of recommendation until you have been invited to submit a secondary application.
Can I request a deadline extension for submitting my secondary application?
Yes, extensions will be granted on a case by case basis. Please e-mail the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Admissions Office for extension requests at primela@mednet.ucla.edu.
What is the secondary fee for PRIME-LA? $95 paid to: UC Regents
When is the last day PRIME-LA will send out supplemental application invitations?
October 31, 2019
Will I receive a confirmation email when my Secondary Application and pictures are received?
No. Your status will be updated on the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Admission Status Information page once they are both received. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Admission Status Information page is available at http://medschool.ucla.edu/apply-check-my-status
I did not receive a secondary application. Is there are an appeal process?
We do not accept appeals. All decisions are final.
When will I be notified if I have been granted an interview for PRIME-LA?
Interview invitations will be sent by early October 2019.
When are the interview days for PRIME-LA?
Novemebr 2019
Where will I complete my masters program?
PRIME students can choose the programs they want to apply to and matriculate in. Most participants will complete their graduate work at UCLA however; we have had students complete their master’s degree at Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco.
Do I need to take the GRE, GMAT before applying to PRIME-LA?
No, however please note that students who wish to apply for the MBA program during their master’s year will need to take the GMAT before being accepted to the MBA program.
Where can I find my admissions status for PRIME-LA?
If you have received a supplemental application, you can check your status on the AMP website at https://apply.medsch.ucla.edu
Please note that receipt of 2019 AMCAS applications will be confirmed only if a supplemental application has been issued. We can not confirm receipt of 2019 AMCAS primary applications at this time.
What is the best way to contact the PRIME-LA office?
The best way to contact the PRIME-LA office is by e-mail at: primela@mednet.ucla.edu. Please allow at least 3 work days for a response.
