Academic Planning for the CUSM-SOM Curriculum
California University of Science and Medicine-School of Medicine (CUSM-SOM) supports the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) premise that, “medical schools should promote the least restrictive path to medical school in order to increase the likelihood that students can come from a variety of disciplines, majors, and backgrounds.” To that end, CUSM-SOM has embraced a growing trend found in the nation’s top medical schools to not require any specified prerequisite coursework, while highlighting and recommending courses that we believe would help the successful matriculant navigate our curriculum and prepare them for the practice of medicine.
The prudent student will take care to know and understand the subject matter of the MCAT and set a course of study that leads to mastery of its content. This generally obligates students to take courses in biology, biochemistry, physics, math, multiple laboratory courses as applicable, and English.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the wide variety of educational offerings available, while they have the opportunity to do so. Our Admissions Committee supports students taking courses in the humanities, women’s studies, multicultural issues, ethics, behavioral sciences, social sciences, and statistics. CUSM-SOM views the social sciences, behavioral sciences, languages, as well as biomedical sciences and related courses, to be important in creating a well-rounded physician.
Undergraduate Degree
Students must hold a bachelor's (baccalaureate) degree from a regionally–accredited undergraduate college or university in the US or an equivalent degree from a non–US accredited undergraduate university. Coursework completed at a non–US institution needs to be accompanied by an evaluation report certified by one of the foreign educational credentials evaluation services that CUSM-SOM approves (i.e., a member of NACES).
Citizenship
An Applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US. In addition, applicant with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status may also apply. Please review the Policy on DACA Applicants.
Letters of Recommendation
All applicants must submit three (3) letters of recommendation through the American Medical College Application System (AMCAS). If a Pre-Health Advisory Committee’s letter of evaluation is available, it may take the place of the other letters requirement.
Grade point average (GPA) preference
CUSM-SOM prefers a total undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above as well as BCPM (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) GPA of 3.0 or above.
Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) requirements**
An MCAT score, no more than 3 years old, is required. An MCAT score of 506 or above is preferred.
MCAT average for the MD Class of 2025 is 513.
Applicants must provide consent to the following requirements for students who are accepted for enrollment. Prior to matriculation, the student:
- Must notify CUSM-SOM of any institutional, legal, or academic actions against him/her from the date of American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS®) application submission and matriculation. All must be reported to the admissions office at CUSM-SOM.
- Must provide consent to criminal background check.
- Must meet the immunization requirements set by the State of California and additional requirements established by CUSM-SOM. Detailed instructions will be provided with the Acceptance Letter. The CUSM-SOM Immunization Policy and Requirements are available in the following section.
- Must attend CUSM-SOM orientation program.
Technical Standards
The Technical Standards section describes the essential abilities required of all candidates *. Upon acceptance, students must attest to their ability to meet those standards with or without reasonable accommodations. This acknowledgment is noted by their signature on a copy of the school’s Technical Standards.
* A student with a disability must provide a medical report describing the disability and explaining the required type of accommodation. CUSM-SOM will review the student’s disability requirements to determine our ability to provide reasonable accommodations.