Application Procedure

UCLA-Caltech MSTP applicants must submit an initial application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by October 2, 2024. The secondary application deadline is two weeks from the date and time of invitation. On the AMCAS application, students should indicate that they wish to apply to the UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. After the initial application is processed and verified by AMCAS, selected MSTP applicants will receive a notification via email to complete the combined supplemental (secondary) application for the School of Medicine and the MSTP. This application is online but will only be accessible until the AMCAS application has been verified and the applicant has received a secondary invitation.

To complete the supplemental application, log in to the AMP Portal via the link provided in the secondary invitation email. Please read the instructions carefully. One fundamental question is whether the applicant is interested in performing their PhD research at UCLA, at Caltech, or either UCLA or Caltech. Applicants interested in PhD research at UCLA must include a list of UCLA faculty whose research is of interest and who the applicant would possibly consider as a PhD research mentor. Applicants interested in PhD research at Caltech must include a list of Caltech faculty whose work is of interest and explain why Caltech would be a desirable location for their PhD research.  If you encounter technical difficulties with the online supplemental application, please contact the MSTP Office at mstp@mednet.ucla.edu.

Between three and five letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through AMCAS. The MSTP application and letters of recommendation should emphasize the applicant’s research experience, scientific accomplishments, and career interests. While there is no minimum cutoff for GPA or MCAT scores, interviews are usually offered to applicants who perform well in a rigorous academic setting and show evidence of sustained research effort. GRE scores are not required and cannot be submitted in place of MCAT scores. It is recommended that applicants take the MCAT in the spring, and no later than September of the year preceding admission to the MSTP.

The MSTP supplemental application and the medical school secondary are combined. All applications to the MSTP are evaluated by the MSTP Admissions Committee separately from the DGSOM Admissions Committee. While the review for both programs occurs in parallel, it is non-linear. 

The deadline for receipt of the completed School of Medicine and MSTP supplemental application, including recommendation letters, is as specified on the receipt of the acknowledgment email/secondary invitation. However, early submission is strongly recommended. When submitting your online supplemental application, you will be prompted to submit an application fee of $95. This fee can be paid by credit card.

Current UCLA medical students can apply without a fee by completing an MSTP supplemental application. Please contact the MSTP Office via email at mstp@mednet.ucla.edu and request instructions for your MSTP supplemental application. This supplemental application will be combined with the student’s original DGSOM application for consideration by the MSTP Admissions Committee.   

If questions regarding the application process arise or if problems accessing the online application are encountered, please consult the Admissions FAQs or email mstp@mednet.ucla.edu.