David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM)
David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM)
The University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, otherwise known as the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), at UCLA is a recognized, public medical school. It is located in Los Angeles, California, USA. David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) was established in 1951 and is the second medical school in the UC system, after the UCSF School of Medicine. Moreover, UCLA Medical Plaza is close to the main entrance to the campus. The UCLA Medical Center started in July 1955.
Ranking
The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA has always been in the top Institutions of the country. In 2015, U.S. News & World Report placed the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA at 12th position in the U.S.A in research. Moreover, in the year 2013-2014, UCLA Medical Center was ranked UCLA 5th.
Acceptance Rate
The Geffen School of Medicine is one of the most competitive medical schools in the U.S. Therefore, the school’s acceptance rate is 4.5%.
Admissions Timeline
Interested applicants should regularly check the website of the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) for the admission timeline. This webpage will have all the updated dates for admission related decisions.
Application Process
The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA is a member of AMCAS. The school has a rolling admissions policy.
The Entry Test – MCAT
MCAT, the Medical College Admission Test, is recommended for all the candidates who want to apply to the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA. Usually, it is advised that you take the Medical College Admission Test in the spring. However, you should take it at least in the September of the year preceding admission to the School of Medicine. If you have inquiries about the registration or test administration process, please contact: mcat@aamc.org.
Transfer Applicants
The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA does not admit transfer students from other Institutions.
Application Submission
The applicants should use the AMCAS website to submit their application. Moreover, The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) will only accept letters of recommendation that are submitted to AMCAS. The deadline for the primary application is also given on the AMCAS website. Also, late submissions are not considered.
Documents
Along with the primary application’s submission, a candidate must make sure that a complete set of official transcripts have reached AMCAS. Remember that the school does not process any application whose required official transcripts have not reached AMCAS.
Letters of Recommendation
At least three letters of recommendation are required. You can send in 5 letters at most. The letters will be requested after the first review of your application. Moreover, the letters should only be submitted through AMCAS.
Supplemental Information
After the review of the primary application, the school will invite some candidates for supplemental information. Without the supplemental invite, The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) will not accept any updates to applicants’ files. This supplemental application helps the admission committee to seek out qualified applicants. However, note that a processing fee of $95.00 will be required for the supplemental information.
Fee waiver for supplemental application is available and need-based, i.e., only given to applicants who have already qualified for an AMCAS Fee Waiver.
Interviews
The school conducts a thorough review of the AMCAS application, supplemental application, and letters of recommendation. Then, the selected candidates are invited to attend a multiple mini-interview session. However, the travel arrangements and expenses are the applicant’s responsibility.
The interview is an essential element of the selection process. It allows the Admissions Committee to know about the candidate and their ability to be part of medical school. David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA uses the process of Multiple Mini-Interviews. The interview panel is made up of faculty, staff, and medical students. The interview is the most critical part of the evaluation.
Selection process
The school’s admission committee considers these factors for selection:
• Undergraduate Record
• MCAT Scores
• Interviews with Admissions Committee members
• Letters of Recommendation
• Graduate Record (if applicable)
• Life Experiences or Extra-curricular Activities (Research, volunteerism, etc.)
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Quantitative Thinking Ability (represented by skills in mathematics, science, etc.)
Usually, preference is given to students who possess high achievement in college. Moreover, having a capacity to develop an interpersonal relationship is also an important element.
Moreover, a successful candidate must have studied the following:
1. Biological Sciences and Physiology (Cellular and Molecular Biology and Genetics)
2. Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physical Sciences (Inorganic and Organic chemistry, Biochemistry of intermediary metabolism, and related laboratory activities)
3. Humanities (can include literature and art, history, philosophy, economics, social behavior, psychology, religion, etc.)
4. Mathematics and Statistics (include biomathematics, computer science, matrix algebra, etc.)
Acceptance offer
Selected applicants are sent an acceptance offer. The maximum time to accept the offer is two weeks.
Age requirement
On average, the age of the school’s matriculates is 23 years. However, people of all ages, having demonstrated exceptional motivation and academic achievement, are encouraged to apply.
Residence Preference
The school gives no preference to a particular state’s residents. Although, most of the applicants come from California, but people from all over the world are encouraged to apply.
International Applicants
International applicants are encouraged to apply. However, foreign national (outside the U.S) applicants should have a visa and provide sufficient evidence of financial support for their educational needs. The application procedure and all other admission requirements are the same for International applicants as for U.S applicants.
Reapplication
If a candidate was not successful in getting admission to the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, then he/she may submit a second application.
For such students, it is advised that they stay in an academic setting. They can get in a graduate degree program, or they can do some corrective work in their areas of weakness. In the second try, the applicant should send at least two letters of recommendation during this period.
For more Inquiries or any Information related to admissions, you can contact:
David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA
Office of Admissions
B27 Geffen Hall
885 Tiverton Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7035
310-825-6081
Financial Aid & Scholarships
The financial aid department of the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA aids the school’s students to go about the financial aid and scholarship procedure by providing information, counsel, and find resources. The school offers grants and loans to help students in making their education more affordable. Any other finance-related query can also be discussed by visiting the office. The location of the office is Geffen Hall, Suite 305. The office hours are Monday to Friday: 8:00am-5: 00 pm. Moreover, their telephone number is 310-825-4181, and the fax number is 310-794-1629. Or drop them an email at fao@mednet.ucla.edu.
Financial Aid Eligibility
To be considered for financial aid, a student must:
1. Be admitted into the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA
2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
3. Have a valid Social Security number.
4. Be registered with Selective Service( if required)
5. Be working toward a medical degree
6. Be making reasonable academic progress
7. Not owe a refund on a Federal grant
8. Not be in default on any Federal educational loan
9. Have financial need
Apply here for financial aid.
On-Campus Accommodation
Accepted candidates who are interested in campus accommodation have to submit their housing application. Along with that, they have to pay the non-refundable application fee on-line. If you receive and accept an offer for housing in Weyburn Terrace, then you will have the choice of renewing your contract up to two times. This means that you can stay in the same room up to three years. Moreover, the School of Medicine cannot guarantee the housing allotment for each and every student. Typically, it is given by the policy of ‘first come first serve’.
Student life
Career Development
The career development office at the school is dedicated to promoting the sense of career exploration in the students. Moreover, it also works hard to develop professional skill sets for the medical students. Career exploration is a tough task for students. Although, there are over 122 specialties and subspecialties in medicine and many different types of practices but deciding which specialty to pursue is daunting. The Student Affairs Office brings the career development team. The team offers a comprehensive career advising program that helps students to identify their place in medicine. Moreover, it also guides students through its one-on-one mentoring sessions, career exploration seminars, and Resident Roundtables.
Student Well-Being
The Well-Being Office is striving to support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the community of the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA. It assists students to learn about how to maintain balance, manage stress, take care of themselves, and have a positive outlook at life. It also helps them to have a good time throughout medical school.
Annual Events
The life on the campus is vibrant and lively. The school’s administration conducts events throughout the year. Some of the most prominent ones are:
1. White Coat Ceremony
2. Ceremony of Thanks
3. 2nd Year Banquet
4. 4th Year Banquet
5. Match Day
6. Senior Scholarship Day
7. Talent Show
8. Graduation
Student Organizations
There are countless student societies in the campus. These entire student clubs, interest groups, organizations, and activities are designed to help students develop their interests while cultivating their creativity.
Peer Mentoring
The Big Sib Lil Sib Program at the campus creates small families of students from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years who share similar interests, hobbies, and backgrounds. This strengthens the bond among students of the classes. First-year (freshmen) students who decide to be a part of the program are “matched” with second-year students who resemble with their qualities. The second-year students already have a family including at least one 3rd year and one 4th year medical student. These families meet up in quarterly events to catch up, hang out, share advice and guide about life at the School of Medicine. In addition to these events, the college also promotes monthly meet ups of the families for fun activities. The peer mentoring program is an excellent way to foster a stronger, more cohesive community among the students.
The Medical Student Council (MSC)
The Medical Student Council has members as elected students from all four years. MSC is an organization that focuses on influence student life positively. It also acts as a facilitator for the bidirectional communication between the student body and the faculty. The MSC meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month. The meetings are open to everyone, and all students are welcome to attend share ideas, opinions or concerns in the meetings.
Research Projects
David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) gives students the opportunity to engage in stimulating research projects either for one summer or a lifetime. Students not only obtain amazing chances to contribute to scientific discovery but they will be exposed to the world-renowned faculty of the school. The faculty of the school is taking part in ever-evolving innovations and groundbreaking research. These research projects make the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) the Institution that informs scientific and medical thought around the globe.
Student Guide
There are many ways that students at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) seek guidance. They learn a lot from the current students, alumni, and faculty. However, if you are in search of guidance and have not found the perfect source, check out this guide. It is compiled by the students of the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) for the students.
Dr. Najeeb Lectures
Medical school students can have many troubles, but the tough curriculum remains at number 1. Everyone feels that it is hard to keep up with the syllabus. You suffer a lot even if you miss just one class. In all these situations, besides asking the teaching assistants for help, another great option is video lectures by Dr. Najeeb. Today, these are being used in 190 countries. Also, they are also immensely popular in U.S.A’s medical schools.
Dr. Najeeb is a great teacher as students usually find that he teaches all the medical concepts effortlessly. Also, his approach is basic but helpful. Moreover, he does not rush through things so that a student can comprehend the concept with ease. To enhance the learning process, Dr. Najeeb draws illustrations step by step. Also, this learning method gives flexibility to your schedule as you can watch and learn with them whenever and wherever you want. In addition to that, video lectures give you the option to rewind, so you watch a particular part again.
Additionally, the video lectures on Dr. Najeeb Lectures cater the student of U.SA’s medical schools. They contain all topics of medical and clinical science that are being taught in American med schools. The video library has over 800 lectures. Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Neuroanatomy, Embryology, Histology, Immunology and Pathology related videos in details are available in the library. You can have a look at the video library. So subscribe today if you want to end your struggle with tough concepts. However, we give the option of trying a video lecture for free before getting a subscription. Additionally, check out the reviews of students from other medical universities about Dr. Najeeb’s lectures.
Summer Programs
Every year, the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA conducts summer academic enrichment programs. These programs comprise of the Pre-medical or Pre-dental Enrichment Program (PREP), Summer Medical Dental Education Program (SMDEP), and the Re-Application Post baccalaureate Program (RAP). To apply for admission in the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM)’s summer program, visit here.
Summer Research Opportunities
Apart from summer school programs, the school also offers many summer research opportunities for its students.
- UCLA CTSI Summer Program for Professional Students
- Family Medicine Summer Fellowship
- Global Health Research Fellowship
- Internal Medicine Chief’s Fellowship
- Jim Slotnick Fellowship
- Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program
- Psychiatry Summer Fellowship
- Short-Term Training Program
For more information visit their official website.
