PRIME-LA Institute Program

Program Overview  

MENTORSHIP 

• Participants will be paired with a PRIME medical student mentor and meet with their mentor monthly to discuss their educational pursuits, study skills, personal development, medical school application preparation. 

WORKSHOPS  

• Participants will participate in monthly workshops throughout the academic year geared on the following topics: understanding the issues and needs of under-resourced populations and communities in California, professional identity formation, leadership and advocacy in medicine, medical school admissions. 

SUMMER PROGRAM 

• Participants will attend a summer intensive program at UCLA and be housed in the UCLA dorms during the duration of the program. A stipend will be provided to participants during the 1-week summer program. Participants attend structured programming throughout the 1-week program designed to become familiar with the PRIME-LA track at DGSOM, help them prepare to be successful medical school applicants, provide hands-on cohort building activities, interactive workshops, simulation lab, community health sessions, and develop leadership and advocacy skills.  
• Program will run from June 21, 2026 - June 26, 2025 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Students must be available during the entire duration of the program. Some evening activities may be scheduled. *Dates are subject to change. 

Disclaimer: Participation in the PRIME-LA Institute does not lead to admission to the PRIME-LA track at DGSOM. 

Student Eligibility  

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Currently enrolled and completing their second year in community college, or transferring to a 4-year university in Fall 2025, or transferred to a 4-year university within the last year   
• Must reside in California *Southern California residents are strongly encouraged to apply
• Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5 
• Applicants must be U.S citizens, hold a permanent residency or have documentation of approved eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the State of California 

Others factors for consideration include that a student: 

• We encourage applicants from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds 
• Must have an interest in becoming a physician engaged in work that addresses the needs of underserved populations and communities in California 

*Applicants from non-traditional paths are encouraged to apply  

Application Process 

• All applicants must submit the online PRIME-LA Institute Application by the program deadline.  
  • Personal Statement  
    • An essay that gives you the opportunity to integrate a description of how your experiences and interest in becoming a physician align with PRIME-LA’s mission and goals.  
    • Prompt: Essay describing your personal, family, and community background, your motivation for medical career, what you have done to develop your interest and knowledge of modern medicine, and what you hope to accomplish by participation in PRIME-LA Institute . How do your experiences align with PRIME-LA’s mission and goals. (minimum 500 words, maximum 1000)
  • Resume or CV 
    • Your document should highlight your health care, research, leadership, advocacy, community service, educational background and work/volunteer experience working with underserved communities.  
  • Transcripts 
    • Upload a copy of all your unofficial transcripts into one document. 
  • Letter of Recommendation  
    • A letter of recommendation is required to have a complete application. Please be ready to have your letter writer’s information upon submitting your application. It is the responsibility of each applicant to share the letter of recommendation letter upload link with their letter writer. Please share this with them Letter of Recommendation Upload Link  
      • LOR Deadline: March 3, 2025 @ 11:59PM (PST) 
•  If selected to proceed to the next phase, you will receive an email invitation to participate in an interview in April 2025. 

Program Cost and Expenses

There is no tuition fee or application costs to participate in the program. Stipend and Housing (including meals) will be provided to our participants. Program participant will be responsible for any travel and personal expense(s) incurred while attending the program. 

Application Timeline

Application Opens: December 1, 2025 

Application Closes: March 3, 2025 @ 11:59PM (PST) 

Admission Notification: May 2025 

For questions and inquiries please contact Email:  primeinstitute@mednet.ucla.edu