Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine: MCAT & Admissions

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Admissions statistics

Median MCAT: 504
MCAT range (25–75): 499–509
Median GPA: 3.54
GPA range (25–75): 3.36–3.66
Science GPA (est.): 3.37
Acceptance rate: 3%
Interview rate: Not reported

Median MCAT by section (estimated)

Chem / Phys: 126
CARS: 125
Bio / Biochem: 126
Psych / Soc: 127

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: ~5.8%
Out-of-state applicants: ~1.3%
Overall (reported): 3%

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 -7.8 (nat. 511.8), GPA -0.27 (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	495.7	499	505.1	509.1
In-state	498.7	501.9	510.4	512.1
Out-of-state	497.9	500.9	506.1	509.1

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: 60
Public / Private: Private
Setting: Not reported
% Out-of-state: 10%
Orientation: Service-oriented

Research vs. service orientation

Service / primary careBalancedResearch

Service-oriented (12/100) — HBCU mission-driven school; ~65% enter primary care, 80% serve underserved; low NIH funding (~$5M), no MSTP/MD-PhD

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

In-state

90%

Out-of-state

10%

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

$69,000

Out-of-state tuition

$69,000

Cost of attendance: $137,117
Avg. graduate debt: Not reported
Secondary fee: Free (no tuition)
% receiving aid: 98%

Tuition & cost of attendance verified against the school's official site (official source, 2025-2026). 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: not required
AAMC PREview: not required

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: • The mission of the College of Medicine is to provide education, research and clinical service in the context of community engagement in order to train physician leaders who promote wellness, who provide care with excellence and compassion, and who are committed to transforming the health of diverse and underserved communities. • Vision Statement: Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities.

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.

The university's vision statement is "Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities." Describe how you envision yourself contributing to the CDU vision statement. (1200 characters)
Describe your commitment to transforming the health of diverse and underserved communities. (800 characters)
Detail the key motivational factors in your decision to apply to the CDU MD Program. (1200 characters)
Please describe a personal experience in which you have encountered discrimination. (800 characters)
How will you utilize your medical knowledge and skills to contribute positively to your community after completing medical school? (800 characters)

Interview

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

Virtual Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format; SDN reports interviews averaging ~42 minutes with ~2 interviews, focused on personal attributes, motivations and problem-solving.

Questions applicants report

What do you think about the US healthcare system?
What attributes make a good physician for underserved patients?
What are your thoughts on universal healthcare?
What motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?
How do you envision contributing to CDU's mission of eliminating health disparities?
Tell us about your commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities.

Key facts

Degree: MD
Type: Private
Location: Los Angeles, California
Region: West
Interview format: Not reported
Preclinical grading: Not reported
Licensing exam: USMLE
Oldest MCAT accepted: July 2023
International applicants: Not considered
DACA applicants: Considered
Early Decision: Not offered

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 CDU?

Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine has a median MCAT of 504 (typical accepted range about 499–509). At or above the median is most competitive; below the 25th percentile (499) is a reach without other strengths.

What GPA does CDU require?

The median accepted GPA is about 3.54 (roughly 3.36–3.66). There's no hard cutoff, but below the median you'll want to be strong elsewhere.

What are the prerequisites for CDU?

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 CDU hard to get into?

Its acceptance rate is approximately 3% — less selective by the numbers for US MD programs.

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