Are you considering applying to California medical schools? Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, majestic national parks, incredible food that ranges from farm-to-table to sushi to Mexican, and, of course, Hollywood, are just a few of the amazing things that the great state of California has to offer. But maybe even better are the many respected medical schools in California that attract hopeful premeds from far and wide—premeds just like you.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in California, including how many medical schools there are, what they’re known for, what it’s like to live there, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in California.
Here’s what to expect below.
- How Many Medical Schools Are in California?
- What Are the Best Medical Schools in California?
- Medical Schools Based on Location
- How Much is Tuition in California?
- How to Apply to California Medical Schools
- Application Dates Deadlines
- Application Requirements
- Preparation Timeline
- Applying to DO Medical Schools in California
- Tips to Gain Acceptance at California Medical Schools
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- Be Prepared for Diversity Questions
- Craft a Cohesive Narrative
- Choose Schools on Fit Over Prestige
- Consider All Costs And Make a Budget Early On
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- Is Going to Medical School in California Right For You?
How Many Medical Schools Are in California?
There are 16 medical schools in California, 13 allopathic (MD) medical schools and 3 osteopathic (DO) medical schools. It’s second only to New York, which has 18 medical schools. (If you’re curious, Texas has the third-most medical schools in the US with 15).
List of Medical Schools in California
Allopathic Medical Schools in California (MD)
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Kaiser Permanente Medical School
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- UC Irvine School of Medicine
- UCLA (UC Los Angeles) David Geffen School of Medicine
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- UC San Francisco School of Medicine
Osteopathic Medical Schools in California (DO)
- California Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
What Are the Best Medical Schools in California?
There are many factors to consider in determining a school’s rank, including peer assessment scores, residency directors’ assessment scores, faculty resources, student selectivity, and more. Find out how U.S. News ranks medical schools.
While California holds quite a few prestigious medical schools, none of them are Ivy League. All eight of the Ivy League schools are located on the east coast.
Below we’ve outlined the top medical schools in California based on each school’s ranking for research and primary care.
California Medical Schools Ranked by Research
- The School of Medicine at University of California—San Francisco tied for #3
- The School of Medicine at Stanford University ranked #8
- The David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California—Los Angeles ranked #19
- The School of Medicine at University of California—San Diego tied for #20
- The Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (Keck) ranked #28
California Medical Schools Ranked by Primary Care
- The School of Medicine at University of California—San Francisco ranked #2
- The School of Medicine at University of California—Davis ranked #8
- The David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California—Los Angeles (Geffen) ranked #13
- The School of Medicine at Stanford University ranked #30
- The School of Medicine at University of California—San Diego ranked #32
California Medical School Locations
California is quite a large state, which is why it’s generally divided into Northern California (NorCal) and Southern California (SoCal), and while they comprise the same state, there are quite a few differences between the two.
Northern California occupies the San Francisco Bay Area all the way up to the Oregon border. Southern California begins below Fresno and stretches all the way to Tijuana, Mexico.
NorCal is known for its mountainous and volcanic geography, whereas SoCal is known for its flatter desert landscape. It’s also colder in NorCal. If you like changing seasons with some rain and even snow, NorCal is for you. SoCal, on the other hand, has year-round sunshine and arid desert air. For example, Los Angeles enjoys 284 sunny days a year.
Both NorCal and SoCal feature impressive national parks and hiking trails. NorCal has the Redwood National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and SoCal has the Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park.
NorCal is known for Silicon Valley, whereas SoCal is known for Hollywood and picturesque beaches. Both regions feature incredible and diverse food, from sushi to Mexican.
Regardless of which region sounds more to your liking, know that most of California’s medical schools reside in Southern California.
Medical Schools in Southern California
Southern California holds 11 of California’s 16 medical schools.
- California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- California University of Science and Medicine
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- UC Irvine School of Medicine
- UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
- UC Riverside School of Medicine
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- USC School of Medicine (Keck)
- Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical Schools in Northern California
Northern California is where the remaining five California medical schools can be found.
- California Northstate University College of Medicine
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- UC Davis School of Medicine
- UC San Francisco School of Medicine
How Much Is Medical School in California
So, how much does medical school cost in California? Tuition will vary from school to school.
California Tuition Costs (2022 Data From MSAR)
| California Medical School | Yearly Tuition In-State | Yearly Tuition Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| California Northstate University College of Medicine | $68,141 | $68,141 |
| California University of Science and Medicine | $66,687 | $66,687 |
| USC School of Medicine (Keck) | $70,485 | $70,485 |
| UC Davis School of Medicine | $43,768 | $56,013 |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine | $39,043 | $51,288 |
| UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen) | $36,585 | $48,830 |
| UC Riverside School of Medicine | $38,976 | $51,221 |
| UC San Diego School of Medicine | $40,945 | $53,190 |
| UC San Francisco School of Medicine | $38,521 | $50,766 |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | $13,180 | $13,180 |
| Stanford University School of Medicine | $64,901 | $64,901 |
| Loma Linda University School of Medicine | $65,226 | $65,226 |
| Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine | $0 | $0 |
| Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine | $61,380 | $61,380 |
| Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine | $63,008 | $63,008 |
| California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine | $59,975 | $59,975 |
Additionally, you need to factor in the cost of medical school applications, which can add up across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Learn more: How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.
Plus, there are many other factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, exercise, and events—all of which are higher in California compared to pretty much every state besides New York.
How to Apply to California Medical Schools
Unlike medical schools in Texas, California does not have its own application system. If you want to apply to allopathic medical schools in California, you will use AMCAS. Unless you plan to apply to osteopathic schools in California, in which case you’ll need to apply through AACOMAS. More on that below.
Here’s what you need to know about the allopathic (MD) application process.
1 | Application Deadlines
The AMCAS application typically opens during the first week of May for the following academic year’s medical school class. However, AMCAS submissions don’t open until the end of May or early June, so you have around a month to prepare the application. If you want to begin medical school in the fall of 2025, you’ll need to start the application process in the spring of 2024.
Secondary applications will arrive around two to four weeks after you submit your primary application. These should be completed ASAP—ideally no more than 7-14 days after you receive them.
Anticipate interview invitations to start arriving between August and September. They will continue to arrive throughout the fall and winter until the spring of the following year.
While technical deadlines for applications and secondary materials are provided by AMCAS, these do not represent the timeline you need to follow for your best chance at success.
Applying early is one of the most essential medical school admission strategies, as both allopathic and osteopathic schools use rolling admissions, which means applications are reviewed as soon as they come in. The quickest applicants secure the first secondaries and interview spots, and these fill up fast. The later you submit your application, the worse your chances.
2 | Application Requirements
There are several different components of your AMCAS application.
You will need your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven, persuasive personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and an impressively varied and detailed Work and Activities section. Each of these components requires a major time investment.
In order to earn a high GPA, you need to apply yourself throughout college.
Earning a high score on the MCAT requires three months of full-time studying or six months of part-time studying.
Writing your personal statement is a lengthy process, not only in the initial writing phase, but also to allow time for feedback, editing, and proofreading.
Getting at least four strong letters of recommendation requires you to cultivate four strong relationships over the course of your college career or even earlier.
The Work and Activities section also takes time to craft, which is in addition to the actual time spent dedicated to the activities. You have space to write about 15 experiences, activities, awards, or hobbies, and admissions committees are specifically looking for longitudinal commitment to these activities, which means you need to get started early.
Learn How to Get Into Medical School: 2023-2024 Application Process.
3 | Preparation Timeline
Since it takes so much time to prepare each of your application components, it is essential that you begin this process as early as possible.
Join the extracurriculars that interest you early on in college. Experiment to see what you like, but keep in mind that admissions committees are chiefly looking for activities in three key areas: research, clinical experience, and volunteering.
Start thinking about which supervisors and professors you connect with most during your first year. If you are particularly inspired by a professor, visit their office hours and express enthusiasm for their class by asking thoughtful questions. Ask if they are involved in a research project, and if it interests you, ask if you can help out.
Writing your personal statement and requesting letters of recommendation should occur many months before applications open. It will take time to write a persuasive personal statement and develop a narrative for your application. It’s also important to give your letter writers as much time as possible, as they’re very busy with their own lives and careers and likely writing letters for other students as well.
Bottom line, you should be thinking about your application early on in college, no matter what schools you’re applying to, as in addition to fulfilling your medical school prerequisites, you also need to cultivate relationships with potential letter writers and devote many hours to your extracurriculars.
Keep on top of each of your medical school application deadlines with our comprehensive Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)
Applying to DO Medical Schools in California
If you are applying to one of the three osteopathic (DO) schools in California, you will need to use the AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service). It’s the centralized online application service for colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States.
AACOMAS follows a very similar timeline to AMCAS, with applications opening around the start of May each year.
The AACOMAS process is much the same as AMCAS, though there are some key differences. To start, you do not need quite as high of a GPA or MCAT score. But don’t let that factor alone make your decisions. Your AACOMAS personal statement must address why you want to be an osteopath specifically, and you also must include at least one letter or recommendation from a DO. You will still need to collect a range of extracurriculars, but how you write about them on the AACOMAS application will differ slightly.
Learn about AMCAS vs. AACOMAS Application Differences, as well as the ins and outs of the osteopathic application with our comprehensive AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools.
Tips to Gain Acceptance at California Medical Schools
1 | Be Prepared for Diversity Questions
There is a ton of diversity in California, from the patient population all the way up to the student body itself. There are few places as diverse as the state of California, and that means Californian medical schools emphasize how you will add to and integrate into the student body and surrounding communities in the application process.
This doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage if you don’t come from a diverse or underprivileged background. Keep in mind that diversity can mean a whole range of different things, from your geographic background to how you grew up to any adversity you faced, and so much more. Has someone from an underprivileged group touched your life in some way? What did that relationship teach you? Are you aware of conscious and unconscious bias in the world and the healthcare system specifically?
Additionally, California’s emphasis on diversity means schools expect premeds to be empathetic and understanding of all types of backgrounds and upbringings. It is very likely you will serve and work with minority or underserved groups within California as you train to become a doctor.
2 | Craft a Cohesive Narrative Across Your Application
Each component of your application must complement the other and come together to tell your personal journey to medicine. Crafting a cohesive narrative that details this journey will entice admissions committees to learn more about you beyond your academic qualifications.
And we don’t mean just your personal statement—each piece of your application must serve your overall narrative of why you want to become a doctor. A story is much more compelling and easier to remember than dry facts.
While your qualifications and accomplishments matter greatly, admissions committees can see these on your CV, so don’t list them again in your essays or your personal statement. Focus on the people and events in your life that made you who you are today and have led you to apply to medical school. What about your life has crystalized your ambition to become a doctor?
Your medical school application is telling a story—your story. What story do you want to tell? Think about the common thread you want to weave throughout the application. Do not repeat yourself; each component should complement and enhance the other with fresh insights and new anecdotes.
Developing a unique and persuasive narrative will take time, so get started as soon as possible. Deeply reflect on your past. What phenomenal triumphs or heart-breaking setbacks led you here? Be authentic. Admissions committees want to know the real you. Everyone has faced hard times in their lives. How have the struggles you’ve encountered made you a stronger person?
Demonstrate your maturity and growth with honest stories from your past, and make sure each personal story you share is fresh and supports the overall narrative of your application.
Learn more: How to Develop a Cohesive Narrative for Medical School Applications.
3| Choose Schools Based on Fit Over Prestige
While attending a prestigious school is certainly appealing, what’s more important is choosing a school that’s the right fit for you. And that means RESEARCH.
This is where the MSAR comes in handy. The MSAR provides detailed information about the program’s demographics, teaching methodologies, campus life, and much more.
Do you like the program’s approach to medical education? Do you have a preference for how you are graded? Do you find yourself gravitating to programs geared toward getting students in the clinic or would you prefer more of a research focus? Are you searching for a specific class size or learning environment? Do they offer the extracurriculars you’re more interested in?
If you’re really excited about a program in particular, dig deeper than the MSAR. Seek out graduates of the program as well as current students and ask them about their experience. Did they find it easy to make friends? Were classes small enough that they were able to regularly interact one-on-one with the professor, or did they feel like just another brick in the wall?
If you’re only considering the name of the school rather than how well the program fits your wants and needs, you’re setting yourself up for some very challenging years that may not feel very rewarding.
There are 13 medical schools in California, so do your research, and only select programs that fit your learning style and interests.
4 | Consider All Costs and Make a Budget Early On
California is a demographically diverse coastal state known for Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Silicon Valley, and much, much more. The large state holds beaches, mountain ranges, desert, and impressive forests with trees over 1000 years old. But this impressive lifestyle is costly.
Unless you’re moving from New York City, your cost of living will skyrocket. As of 2023, California ranks fourth out of the highest cost of living states in the US.
No matter where you go to school, tuition is expensive. However, tuition is far from the only cost of medical school. The application process itself is costly, and you must budget and plan for accommodation, transportation, social events, study resources, exam fees, and food.
If you’re moving to California from another state, expect your everyday expenses to be much higher. If you’re used to spending $14 or $15 for lunch, expect to spend $18 or $19. If you’re used to buying something at Costco for $14.99, expect it to be more like $16.99. While it may sound like just a few dollars here and there, these costs continue to add up, and it’s something you need to plan for in advance if you hope to live in California for four or more years.
Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in California Right For You?
The near-constant warm and sunny weather in California will do wonders for your disposition. The weather is very predictable in both NorCal and SoCal, which can make life more enjoyable and prevent seasonal depression. With plenty to do, a great climate, and impressive natural landscapes, it’s hard to beat living and studying in California—but those benefits come at a cost.
Living in California is expensive compared to other states, including housing costs, groceries, leisure activities, and transportation, on top of your already notably high tuition costs. Carefully consider your own finances as well as any academic aid you might have available to you when considering California medical schools.
Lastly, above all, do plenty of research early on to learn whether or not each California school is a good fit for you. Feeling comfortable in the city you’ll live in for four or more years, as well as aligning with the goals of the school, its teaching styles, values, etc., is far more important than school prestige.
Learn more: How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to (12 Important Factors).
What makes you different from the other candidates applying to California schools? Gaining an acceptance at your top choice schools requires more than checking off boxes. Adcoms are looking for diverse, well-rounded students who will enhance and expand the student population at their school.
Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand out application that will get you noticed by California medical schools. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of each student because we understand that every applicant has a unique set of needs. Learn more about our comprehensive medical school application packages.
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