California University of Science and Medicine School of Medicine: MCAT & Admissions

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Admissions statistics

Median MCAT: 512
MCAT range (25–75): 508–516
Median GPA: 3.82
GPA range (25–75): 3.70–3.90
Science GPA (est.): 3.76
Acceptance rate: 5.7%
Interview rate: 12.3%

Median MCAT by section (estimated)

Chem / Phys: 128
CARS: 127
Bio / Biochem: 128
Psych / Soc: 129

Section medians are projected from the total using the publicly published national section distribution (CARS runs lowest, Psych/Soc highest). Schools rarely publish their own per-section medians, so this is an estimate; real values are shown when we've sourced them.

Acceptance rate by residency Premier estimate

In-state applicants: ~7.1%
Out-of-state applicants: ~0.2%
Overall (reported): 5.7%

We split this school's overall acceptance rate into residency estimates using Premier's model of in-state vs. out-of-state selectivity and applicant mix, smoothed across schools. It reflects typical residency preference, not a guaranteed outcome — and it's an estimate, not an officially published in/out-of-state rate.

vs US MD matriculants: MCAT +0.2 (nat. 511.8), GPA +0.01 (nat. 3.81). MCAT 10/25/75/90 percentiles, median, and acceptance/interview rates are publicly sourced.

MCAT range by residency Premier estimate

My MCAT score see where you fall

Matriculants	10th	25th	75th	90th
Combined	502.9	505.9	514.1	519.1
In-state	506.2	506.9	516.8	520.2
Out-of-state	505.9	508.9	514.1	515.1

The box spans the 25th–75th percentile; the whiskers reach the 10th and 90th. We use this school's published 25–75 range as-is and model the hidden tails and the residency split, using its out-of-state share — calibrated across every US MD program and validated to within ~1.5 points of reported figures. Estimates are shown to one decimal. How this works.

Class profile

Entering class size: 130
Public / Private: Private
Setting: Not reported
% Out-of-state: 2.3%
Orientation: Service-oriented

Research vs. service orientation

Service / primary careBalancedResearch

Service-oriented (20/100) — Underserved-region (Inland Empire) workforce mission, no MD-PhD/MSTP, absent from BRIMR NIH rankings.

In-state vs. out-of-state class makeup

In-state

97.7%

Out-of-state

2.3%

Course exams

Core clerkship exams are NBME-standardized “shelf” subject exams — standardized nationally, so they're consistent across MD schools. Whether the preclinical years lean on in-house, NBME-based, or a mix of exams isn't something schools publish in one place — so we don't guess per school; confirm specifics with the school.

Cost & aid

In-state tuition

$72,100

Out-of-state tuition

$72,100

Cost of attendance: $82,571
Avg. graduate debt: $84,439
Secondary fee: $100
% receiving aid: 83%

Tuition & cost of attendance verified against the school's official site (official source, 2026-2027). Schools report "tuition" vs. "tuition & fees" differently and some (e.g. NYU Grossman, Kaiser early cohorts) award universal scholarships — always confirm on the official page. Debt & % receiving aid are compiled from publicly available figures.

Prerequisites & requirements

Typical for US MD programs — confirm this school's exact list.

Biology: 1 year with lab
General Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Organic Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Biochemistry: 1 semester (recommended/required)
Physics: 1 year with lab
English / writing: 1 year
Math / statistics: 1 semester–1 year (varies)
Psychology & Sociology: Recommended for the MCAT

Required tests

MCAT — required
CASPer: required
AAMC PREview: varies — verify

Letters of recommendation

A committee letter, or 3–5 individual letters
Typically 2 science faculty + 1 non-science
A letter from research/clinical mentors strengthens the file

Application timeline (AMCAS)

AMCAS opens

Early May

Submit primary (rolling — submit early)

Late May – June

Secondary applications

June – August

Interviews

August – March

Acceptances begin (rolling)

Oct 15 onward

Most US programs admit on a rolling basis — applying early materially helps.

What this school weighs

GPA & MCAT (academic readiness)
Clinical experience & shadowing
Research experience
Community service & volunteering
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement & secondary essays
Interview performance & mission fit
State residency (especially at public schools)

Mission focus: To advance the art and science of medicine through innovative medical education, research, and compassionate healthcare delivery in an inclusive environment that advocates critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and professionalism.

Secondary essay prompts (2024-2025)

⚠ Crowdsourced & anecdotal — secondary prompts change every cycle and may be incomplete. Always confirm on the school's own secondary application.

Diversity comes in many forms. How do you think you might contribute to the diversity of the class?
Describe the last time you were criticized by a peer or supervisor. How did you handle it?
Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?
What would be the best example that shows you are a person of integrity?
If given the opportunity to attend medical school, where would you see yourself in ten years?

Interview

⚠ Anecdotal — based on applicant-reported experiences (e.g. SDN). Format and questions vary year to year; treat as a guide, not a script.

Format: MMI

Virtual MMI-style format delivered as an asynchronous pre-recorded video assessment (one minute to think, one minute to answer to camera); SDN reports describe it as one-on-one, ~31 minutes, and low stress. Questions are a mix of traditional interview questions and ethical scenarios.

Questions applicants report

Why medicine?
Tell me about yourself.
Why CUSM?
Describe how you would handle an ethical scenario presented to you.
Tell us about a time you worked with a difficult person.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Key facts

Degree: MD
Type: Private
Location: Colton, California
Region: West
Interview format: MMI
Preclinical grading: Not reported
Licensing exam: USMLE
Oldest MCAT accepted: January 2024
International applicants: Not considered
DACA applicants: Considered
Early Decision: Offered
Deferral: Allowed

Stats from the school's published class profile and publicly available national data. Tuition, debt, secondary fee, oldest-MCAT, PREview, interview format, and mission are compiled from publicly available figures. Prerequisite, timeline, and letter guidance is typical for US MD programs and may differ at this school. Some figures are being verified. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the AAMC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MCAT score do I need for CUSM?

California University of Science and Medicine School of Medicine has a median MCAT of 512 (typical accepted range about 508–516). At or above the median is most competitive; below the 25th percentile (508) is a reach without other strengths.

What GPA does CUSM require?

The median accepted GPA is about 3.82 (roughly 3.70–3.90). There's no hard cutoff, but below the median you'll want to be strong elsewhere.

What are the prerequisites for CUSM?

Like most US MD programs, expect a year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics (all with labs), biochemistry, and English, plus math/statistics. Psychology and sociology are recommended for the MCAT. Always confirm the school's exact list.

Is CUSM hard to get into?

Its acceptance rate is approximately 5.7% — moderately competitive for US MD programs.

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