UC San Francisco GPA Requirements: Medical & Health Sciences Admission
The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is one of the world's premier health sciences universities, exclusively focused on graduate and professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and biomedical sciences. As a top-ranked institution consistently placing in the top 5 medical schools globally, UCSF maintains exceptional admission standards.
Important Note: UCSF is exclusively a graduate/professional school with no undergraduate programs. GPA requirements vary by professional program: Medical School (3.8+), Pharmacy (3.5+), Dentistry (3.7+), Nursing (3.6+).
UCSF GPA Requirements by Program
Graduate & Professional Program GPA Requirements
UCSF School of Medicine
3.85
Average undergraduate GPA
School of Pharmacy
3.72
Average undergraduate GPA
School of Dentistry
3.78
Average undergraduate GPA
School of Nursing
3.68
Average undergraduate GPA
UCSF School of Medicine GPA Requirements
| Statistic | Overall GPA | Science GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Average GPA | 3.85 | 3.82 |
| 25th Percentile | 3.78 | 3.75 |
| 75th Percentile | 3.94 | 3.91 |
| Acceptance Rate | 2.3% | |
UCSF Graduate Programs
| Program | Minimum GPA | Competitive GPA | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences PhD | 3.0 | 3.7+ | 8% |
| Physical Therapy DPT | 3.0 | 3.6+ | 4.2% |
| Master's in Global Health | 3.0 | 3.5+ | 12% |
| Clinical Research MS | 3.0 | 3.4+ | 15% |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | 3.0 | 3.8+ | 3% |
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Medical School Prerequisites:
- Biology: 1 year with laboratory (A- or better recommended)
- Chemistry: 1 year general, 1 year organic with laboratories
- Physics: 1 year with laboratory
- Mathematics: 1 semester calculus, 1 semester statistics
- English: 1 year of composition and literature
- Biochemistry: 1 semester (strongly recommended)
- Psychology/Sociology: Coursework in behavioral sciences
UCSF Admission Statistics
School of Medicine 2024
- Applications: 8,397
- Interviews: 498
- Admitted: 193
- Enrolled: 164
- Acceptance Rate: 2.3%
- Yield Rate: 85%
Academic Excellence
- Average MCAT: 519
- MCAT Range: 516-522
- Research Experience: 98%
- Published Research: 78%
- Clinical Experience: 100%
- Volunteer Service: 95%
UCSF School Rankings & Excellence
National Rankings (US News):
- Medical School (Research): #3
- Medical School (Primary Care): #6
- Pharmacy School: #2
- Nursing School: #2
- Dentistry School: #8
- Physical Therapy: #1
Specialty Rankings:
- Internal Medicine: #2
- Pediatrics: #3
- Surgery: #4
- Anesthesiology: #5
- Radiology: #3
- Neurology: #6
Research Excellence
NIH Funding: UCSF consistently ranks #1 or #2 nationally in NIH research funding, receiving over $600 million annually.
Major Research Areas:
- Cancer Research & Therapy
- Neuroscience & Neurological Disorders
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases & Global Health
- Precision Medicine & Genomics
Research Institutions:
- UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center
- Gladstone Institutes
- Eli & Edythe Broad Center
- Institute for Global Health Sciences
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute
GPA Analysis for UCSF Programs
Competitive GPA Thresholds
Medical School: Overall GPA 3.8+, Science GPA 3.75+ for competitive consideration
Top Tier Consideration: Overall GPA 3.9+, Science GPA 3.85+
Pharmacy School: Overall GPA 3.5+, Pre-pharmacy GPA 3.6+ recommended
Dentistry School: Overall GPA 3.7+, Science GPA 3.65+ competitive
GPA Distribution - UCSF School of Medicine
UCSF's Mission & Values
Mission Statement:
"To advance health worldwide through preeminent biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care."
- Innovation in biomedical science
- Excellence in health professions education
- Commitment to global health equity
- Leadership in patient care
Core Values:
- Excellence: Pursuit of the highest standards
- Discovery: Advancing knowledge through research
- Innovation: Creative solutions to health challenges
- Diversity: Inclusive community of learners
- Service: Commitment to improving global health
- Integrity: Ethical conduct in all endeavors
Application Strategies for UCSF
Medical School Application Strategy
Essential Application Components:
- AMCAS Application: Submit by July 1st for best consideration
- UCSF Secondary: Complete within 2 weeks of receiving
- MCAT Score: 515+ competitive, 519+ average admitted
- Research Experience: Minimum 2 years, publications preferred
- Clinical Experience: Extensive patient contact required
- Letters of Recommendation: 2 science, 1 non-science faculty
- Leadership Activities: Demonstrate impact and commitment
UCSF-Specific Essay Strategy
Key Essay Themes for UCSF:
- Research Passion: Demonstrate genuine interest in biomedical discovery
- Global Health: Commitment to addressing health disparities
- Innovation: Examples of creative problem-solving
- Service Leadership: Impact in underserved communities
- Diversity & Inclusion: Contributing to inclusive healthcare
- Mission Alignment: Connect personal goals with UCSF's mission
If Your GPA is Below 3.8
- Outstanding MCAT: 522+ to demonstrate academic capability
- Exceptional Research: First-author publications, major discoveries
- Postbac Programs: Consider SMP or formal postbac with 4.0 GPA
- Unique Background: MD/PhD programs may be more accessible
- Strong Upward Trend: Show significant improvement in recent courses
- Alternative Pathways: Consider PhD programs first, then MD/PhD
UCSF-Specific Programs & Opportunities
- PRIME Program: Focus on addressing health disparities
- Bridges Programs: Support for underrepresented students
- Global Health Pathway: International health focus
- UCSF/UC Berkeley Joint Degree: Enhanced research opportunities
- Clinical Research Training: Structured research mentorship
- Community Health Scholars: Service-learning emphasis
Top Medical Schools Comparison
| Medical School | Average GPA | Average MCAT | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School | 3.92 | 521 | 2.9% |
| Johns Hopkins | 3.93 | 521 | 2.7% |
| UCSF School of Medicine | 3.85 | 519 | 2.3% |
| Stanford Medicine | 3.89 | 520 | 1.8% |
| Washington University | 3.91 | 521 | 3.1% |
GPA Calculator Tools
Use these calculators to assess your UCSF application competitiveness:
Conclusion
UCSF represents the pinnacle of health sciences education, combining world-class research with clinical excellence and a deep commitment to addressing global health challenges. With acceptance rates below 3% for most programs and consistently ranking among the nation's top health sciences institutions, UCSF seeks exceptional candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and service commitment.
Success in UCSF admission requires not only outstanding academic credentials (GPA 3.8+, MCAT 515+) but also demonstrated research experience, meaningful clinical exposure, and authentic commitment to UCSF's mission of advancing health through discovery, education, and patient care. Prepare thoroughly, start early, and showcase your unique contributions to the future of healthcare and biomedical science.