DRAFT-SJV Prime+ Admissions Criteria and Application Process (2024)

Academic Requirements and Criteria

To apply to the SJV Prime+ program, applicants must meet the minimum requirements below.Tobe competitive in the SJV Prime+ admission process,applicants should present an academic profile that is much stronger thanany minimum UC admission requirements.

Have a minimum overall UC GPA of 3.6 (Learn how to calculate your University of California GPA here.)
Must meet the University of Californiaadmissions criteriaand submit an application to UC Merced by November 30.
Must enroll in one of the qualifying majors (Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Chemistry or Public Health BSand associated track) and maintain strong academic standing while at UC Merced

What We Consider

The SJV Prime+ review process utilizes a holistic review model which includes consideration of some of the following criteria:

Applicants who are residents of and have deep ties to the San Joaquin Valley*
Academic course rigor pursued in high school (especially in math and science)
Demonstration of focus and dedication in an area of interest, extracurricular activity, and/or personal commitment
Opportunities/experiences undertaken that have shaped the applicant’s experiences and insight into underserved medical care in the SJV
Commitment to serving the population of the SJV through respectful interactions with different groups and organizations throughout the region

An Overview of the Application Process

1. Submit the UC Application (October 1 - November 30)
2.Complete the Supplemental Application (December 7)
3.Receive Letters of Recommendation (December 14)
4. Select Applicants for Interviews - (February - March)

How to Apply

STEP 1:UC APPLICATION

Only regular on-time first year (freshman) applicants that apply directly to UC Merced will be reviewed for the BS to MD pathway.
Start your Fall 2025 University of California application between October 1 - November 30, 2024
Select UC Merced on your UC application andone of the qualifying majors and tracks (Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Chemistry or Public Health BS) as your major.Students who only select an SJVP+ qualifying major as their alternate major will not be considered for the BS to MD pathway.
Select the SJVP+ BS to MD Emphasis track in order to receive a link for submitting responses to the Supplemental Application as well as emails on important next steps
Submit your UC application by November 30, 2024.

STEP2:SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION

Applicants will need to submit responses to the SJVP+ Supplemental Application questions by December 7, 2024.
Additionally, students will need to submit two names and email addresses of their Letters of Recommenders to complete the Supplemental Application.
At least one (1) of your recommenders needs to be an instructor.
Learn more about the supplemental application questions here.

STEP 3:LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Applicants will need to be sure their contacts have submitted the two Letters of Recommendations by December14, 2024.
The letters that will tell us the most about you, your contributions, and your potential are from math or science instructors who know you well. Letters that document evidence of extracurricular activities or other experiences related to science or healthcare are also of particular interest to the SJVP+ admissions committee.
Character references and recommendations from family or friends are generally not useful.

Related Information and Additional Resources

You'll find a comprehensive collection of tools and guides designed to support your journey towards a career in the health professions. Whether you're just beginning to explore premed pathways or looking for specific prehealth resources, these materials will provide valuable insights and information to help you succeed.

UC Merced and UCSF Pre-Med, Pre-Health or STEM Resources

UCSF Fresno Medical Student Profiles VIDEO: 4min
University of California PRIME Programs
California Medically Underserved Areas
UC Merced Office of Medical Education
UC Merced School of Natural Sciences Pre-Health Advising
University of California Schools of Medicine

Disclaimer: We do not advise, nor endorse any program or resource, nor provide the content for these sources. Students should go directly to the site for their questions and determine its applicability and usefulness for their own needs and situation.

Pre-Med, Pre-Health or STEM Resources

PreMedCC - workshops, webinars, speakers, panelists related to medical school. Be sure to join the listserv for current information.
Pre-Health Dreamers - promoting education and healthcare access for immigrant communities
The Student Doctor Network - free resources to help students in their educational, doctor journey
SACNAS Webinars - career resources and networking in STEM

Summer Programs Databases or Lists

K-12 STEM Summer Programs or Activities

UC Merced CREST Biosciences and Biotechnology Workshop
UC Merced Bobcat Summer STEM Academy
UC Merced Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines CREST Computing Research Program
UC Merced Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP)
UCSF Fresno Bio-Med
University of California COSMOS
UCLA Summer Institutes
UCSF Summer Opportunities
UC Davis Pre-College Program
UC Davis Young Scholars
UC Merced Summer Session
UCSD Pre-College Summer Programs
UCR Youth Programs
UCR STRIDE STEM Program
UC Berkeley Summer Program
UCI School of Medicine Summer Programs for High School Students
CSU Cal Poly EPIC: Engineering Possibilities in College
CSU Monterey Summer Programs
Fresno State Lyles College of Engineering Summer Camps
Sacramento State Summer Program
Harvard Summer
Stanford Summer Programs
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Programs
Bezos Scholars Program (for high school juniors)

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Important: These opportunities are not all-inclusive and only a sampling of options. Disclaimer: We do not advise, nor endorse any program or resource, nor provide the content for these sources. Students should go directly to the site for their questions and determine its applicability and usefulness for their own needs and situation.

Medical Education In The News

UC Merced Medical Education Building Gains Final Approval from UC Regents
UC Merced Regents approve construction of $300M Medical Education Facility
UC Merced Magazine (health focus) Volume XV11, Issue 4

*San Joaquin Valley is comprised of San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Merced County, Madera County, Mariposa County, Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, Tulare County