Eligibility and Selection
Who is eligible for participation in the program? - Students from disadvantaged backgrounds who plan to pursue a career in the health professions and who meet the criteria listed below are eligible for participation in the ULMSP. Students who come from traditionally Underrepresented in Medicine communities are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
*Disadvantaged background refers to economic or educational disadvantage. For this program, individuals are considered to be from an economically disadvantaged background if they come from a family with an annual income below low-income thresholds according to family size, as established by the U.S. Census Bureau. Individuals are considered educationally disadvantaged if they come from a social, cultural, or educational environment that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a health professions education or training program.
Who funds this program? This is a federally funded program. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides funding for this program in support of increasing the number of healthcare providers who are willing to serve in communities at risk for experiencing health disparities such as rural, inner city and underserved populations.
What are the eligible health careers? ULMSP is appropriate for students who are interested in a graduate health degree program, namely medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary, biomedical science research, behavioral sciences, or public health.
What does ULMSP look for in its applicants?: ULMSP looks for applicants who are motivated in pursuing a career in the health sciences and have demonstrated an interest and commitment to servicing and bringing change to their community and/or the healthcare field. These students are often involved in community service projects, leadership roles (in and outside of school), and have shown capability to handle an academically rigorous course load.
Which schools are included in the selection process for ULMSP?: Priority is given to students attending any of the nine San Diego and Imperial Valley regional community colleges. These colleges are: San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College, Southwestern College, Palomar College, MiraCosta College, and Imperial Valley College. Students from other community colleges who intend on transferring to UC San Diego are still encouraged to apply. Such applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
It’s my last semester before transferring. Is it ok if I’m not enrolled as a fulltime student? - Yes. Students who are in their last semester before transferring to a university do not have to be enrolled as fulltime students.
How many students can participate each year?: Twelve to sixteen participants are accepted for each ULMSP class.
Does participation in ULMSP guarantee me acceptance to the UCSD medical school? - No. No acceptance guarantees are made for participation in ULMSP only.
Application
When does the application period begin? - Applications are accepted the fall/winter before the summer a student wishes to enroll. See our application page to learn whether the program is currently accepting applications.
What is a complete application?: A complete application consists of our receipt of all of the following by the deadline:
Please Note: We are unable to process incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline. We recommend that you begin your Online Application Form early to allow yourself sufficient time to gather the requested information needed and to complete the essay questions.
Who can supply my letters of recommendation?: One of the references has to be someone you have engaged with in an academic setting. This could be a professor, counselor, an internship manager, etc. The other reference is a personal reference, someone who is able to speak on behalf of you and highlights you as an individual. This could be an employer, a volunteer coordinator, a mentor, another professor, etc.
Please Note: References cannot be from a relative/member of your family. We recommend that students request recommendation letters early (e.g., at least three weeks before the application deadline) to provide their references adequate time to send in their letter before the deadline. Letters of recommendation should be sent to us directly by the person who has provided your letter of recommendation.
Where can I submit my supporting documents? Supporting documents can be sent via e-mail to [email protected], and/or to the following mailing address:
Ramon A. Hernandez, DrPh, MPH
UC San Diego UniversityLink Medical Science Program
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0831
La Jolla, CA 92093-0831
What's next after submitting my application? - You will be contacted in the following weeks after the submission deadline. (See the application page for dates). You are encouraged to follow up with the Assistant Director at [email protected] to ensure that all materials were received.
How can I emphasize my strengths if my GPA isn’t high? - Applications are considered based on multiple components, including letters of recommendation and the personal statement. Together they create a more accurate portrait of a candidate than grades alone.
Do I need to be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.? Yes. Per requirements from our funder, applicants must be a U.S. citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized), a U.S. national, or a Lawful Permanent Resident. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to receive support through the program.
Do students get a stipend?: No. However, the program costs such as housing and food at the dining hall are covered by the ULMSP.
Can I reapply if I am not accepted? ULMSP requires that students be currently enrolled in a community college while applying. Therefore if you have another year(s) , we recommend you reevaluate ways to make your application stronger and reapply the following year.
Daily Life in ULMSP
How will the program change due to COVID-19? This past summer (Summer 2020), the program made some changes in response to COVID-19. The program transitioned to a fully virtual program where students stayed at their respective residences while also being able to experience many similar opportunities as if residential on campus. For summer 2021, it has yet to be determined whether or not the residential aspect will be included with the program. Check our website for more updates over time.
Is it mandatory to live in the university housing provided if COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and the program is able to be residential? Yes. If COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the intensive program will be a residential program requiring all participants to stay on campus during the duration of the program to provide them the best environment with minimal outside commitments. During the program, students are housed in university apartments on the UC San Diego campus in La Jolla, CA. Apartments generally accommodate four students of the same gender in two rooms, with a shared living room and kitchen area. Meals are provided through the campus housing and dining facilities located on site.
How much does ULMSP cost? - ULMSP is free to participants. Costs are covered directly by the program to the University.
Will we need to pay for our own food and room and board?: If COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and the program is able to be residential, then room and board (including meals and transportation to various sites) will be covered through the program.
Can I take a class or work while in the program? No. The program requires all participants to be fully involved in the program and requires their undivided time and attention. Due to the rigor and time commitment, no other commitments are permitted during the program, including employment, internships, summer classes, etc.
Do I have to attend all lectures and activities? - Yes. Attendance is required at all academic lectures and activities.
Can I leave for the weekend? - Students may leave during designated weekend hours or in case of an emergency.
Who are the program supervisors? - Program supervisors are usually ULMSP alumni who are enrolled in University.
Additional Questions can be directed to [email protected]
Who is eligible for participation in the program? - Students from disadvantaged backgrounds who plan to pursue a career in the health professions and who meet the criteria listed below are eligible for participation in the ULMSP. Students who come from traditionally Underrepresented in Medicine communities are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be enrolled in UniversityLink Transfer Guarantee Program/IGETC
- Be currently enrolled in a community college, plan to transfer to UCSD during the application year or be one year or less away from transferring.
- Be in good academic standing with a minimum of 3.5 GPA
- Be from Disadvantaged background*
- Interested in a health career (see eligible programs below)
- Have demonstrated evidence of working with underserved populations
- Be able to commit full-time to this program. Summer classes, employment and other commitments are not allowed during the period of the four-week residential program
*Disadvantaged background refers to economic or educational disadvantage. For this program, individuals are considered to be from an economically disadvantaged background if they come from a family with an annual income below low-income thresholds according to family size, as established by the U.S. Census Bureau. Individuals are considered educationally disadvantaged if they come from a social, cultural, or educational environment that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a health professions education or training program.
Who funds this program? This is a federally funded program. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides funding for this program in support of increasing the number of healthcare providers who are willing to serve in communities at risk for experiencing health disparities such as rural, inner city and underserved populations.
What are the eligible health careers? ULMSP is appropriate for students who are interested in a graduate health degree program, namely medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary, biomedical science research, behavioral sciences, or public health.
What does ULMSP look for in its applicants?: ULMSP looks for applicants who are motivated in pursuing a career in the health sciences and have demonstrated an interest and commitment to servicing and bringing change to their community and/or the healthcare field. These students are often involved in community service projects, leadership roles (in and outside of school), and have shown capability to handle an academically rigorous course load.
Which schools are included in the selection process for ULMSP?: Priority is given to students attending any of the nine San Diego and Imperial Valley regional community colleges. These colleges are: San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College, Southwestern College, Palomar College, MiraCosta College, and Imperial Valley College. Students from other community colleges who intend on transferring to UC San Diego are still encouraged to apply. Such applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
It’s my last semester before transferring. Is it ok if I’m not enrolled as a fulltime student? - Yes. Students who are in their last semester before transferring to a university do not have to be enrolled as fulltime students.
How many students can participate each year?: Twelve to sixteen participants are accepted for each ULMSP class.
Does participation in ULMSP guarantee me acceptance to the UCSD medical school? - No. No acceptance guarantees are made for participation in ULMSP only.
Application
When does the application period begin? - Applications are accepted the fall/winter before the summer a student wishes to enroll. See our application page to learn whether the program is currently accepting applications.
What is a complete application?: A complete application consists of our receipt of all of the following by the deadline:
- A completed Online Application Form.
- Two letters of recommendation sent by the references.
- Current official community college transcript.
- Unofficial (copy is okay) high school transcript.
Please Note: We are unable to process incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline. We recommend that you begin your Online Application Form early to allow yourself sufficient time to gather the requested information needed and to complete the essay questions.
Who can supply my letters of recommendation?: One of the references has to be someone you have engaged with in an academic setting. This could be a professor, counselor, an internship manager, etc. The other reference is a personal reference, someone who is able to speak on behalf of you and highlights you as an individual. This could be an employer, a volunteer coordinator, a mentor, another professor, etc.
Please Note: References cannot be from a relative/member of your family. We recommend that students request recommendation letters early (e.g., at least three weeks before the application deadline) to provide their references adequate time to send in their letter before the deadline. Letters of recommendation should be sent to us directly by the person who has provided your letter of recommendation.
Where can I submit my supporting documents? Supporting documents can be sent via e-mail to [email protected], and/or to the following mailing address:
Ramon A. Hernandez, DrPh, MPH
UC San Diego UniversityLink Medical Science Program
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0831
La Jolla, CA 92093-0831
What's next after submitting my application? - You will be contacted in the following weeks after the submission deadline. (See the application page for dates). You are encouraged to follow up with the Assistant Director at [email protected] to ensure that all materials were received.
How can I emphasize my strengths if my GPA isn’t high? - Applications are considered based on multiple components, including letters of recommendation and the personal statement. Together they create a more accurate portrait of a candidate than grades alone.
Do I need to be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.? Yes. Per requirements from our funder, applicants must be a U.S. citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized), a U.S. national, or a Lawful Permanent Resident. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to receive support through the program.
Do students get a stipend?: No. However, the program costs such as housing and food at the dining hall are covered by the ULMSP.
Can I reapply if I am not accepted? ULMSP requires that students be currently enrolled in a community college while applying. Therefore if you have another year(s) , we recommend you reevaluate ways to make your application stronger and reapply the following year.
Daily Life in ULMSP
How will the program change due to COVID-19? This past summer (Summer 2020), the program made some changes in response to COVID-19. The program transitioned to a fully virtual program where students stayed at their respective residences while also being able to experience many similar opportunities as if residential on campus. For summer 2021, it has yet to be determined whether or not the residential aspect will be included with the program. Check our website for more updates over time.
Is it mandatory to live in the university housing provided if COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and the program is able to be residential? Yes. If COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the intensive program will be a residential program requiring all participants to stay on campus during the duration of the program to provide them the best environment with minimal outside commitments. During the program, students are housed in university apartments on the UC San Diego campus in La Jolla, CA. Apartments generally accommodate four students of the same gender in two rooms, with a shared living room and kitchen area. Meals are provided through the campus housing and dining facilities located on site.
How much does ULMSP cost? - ULMSP is free to participants. Costs are covered directly by the program to the University.
Will we need to pay for our own food and room and board?: If COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and the program is able to be residential, then room and board (including meals and transportation to various sites) will be covered through the program.
Can I take a class or work while in the program? No. The program requires all participants to be fully involved in the program and requires their undivided time and attention. Due to the rigor and time commitment, no other commitments are permitted during the program, including employment, internships, summer classes, etc.
Do I have to attend all lectures and activities? - Yes. Attendance is required at all academic lectures and activities.
Can I leave for the weekend? - Students may leave during designated weekend hours or in case of an emergency.
Who are the program supervisors? - Program supervisors are usually ULMSP alumni who are enrolled in University.
Additional Questions can be directed to [email protected]