PUMA is targeted towards individuals underrepresented in medicine (URiM) planning on applying to medical school in the upcoming 2021-2022 cycle. The medical school application process is long, stressful, and requires extensive preparation to receive an acceptance. The goal of this program is to alleviate this stress and give disadvantaged students a fair chance. Students will undergo a small application process to assess need and readiness for applying to medical school. Once accepted, over the course of four separate weekends in April, June, September, and January, students will be given primary application, secondary application, and interview “training”. UCSD School of Medicine faculty and medical student leaders will aid personal statement writing/editing, provide AMCAS application structuring advice, introduce valuable interview skills, prepare students for the challenge of producing a high volume of competitive secondary applications in a short amount of time, as well as, provide additional mentorship outside the designated dates. Additionally, for applicants taking the MCAT in summer 2021, an optional MCAT advice session will be added; including study schedules, strength assessment, and advice.
The PUMA Initiative will begin receiving applications in February for students eager for mentorship and guidance through the AMCAS medical application process. Commitment to the program requires mandatory attendance at the following four weekends in order to fully utilize PUMA resources. Apply to join the 2021 cohort!
2021 Weekends
Weekend One: Friday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 4th, 2021
Weekend Two: Friday, June 4th - Sunday, June 6th, 2021
Weekend Three: Friday, September 10th - Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Weekend Four: Friday, January 7th - Sunday, January 9th, 2022
In order to participate in this program, applicants must:
Please prepare the following for submission:
You may view the application here.
Application submissions begin Monday, February 1st, 2021. *NEW NOTE* Deadline is Friday, March 5th, 2021 at 11:59pm.
Decisions will be emailed out no later than March 8th, 2021.
The PUMA Initiative will begin receiving applications in February for students eager for mentorship and guidance through the AMCAS medical application process. Commitment to the program requires mandatory attendance at the following four weekends in order to fully utilize PUMA resources. Apply to join the 2021 cohort!
2021 Weekends
Weekend One: Friday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 4th, 2021
Weekend Two: Friday, June 4th - Sunday, June 6th, 2021
Weekend Three: Friday, September 10th - Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Weekend Four: Friday, January 7th - Sunday, January 9th, 2022
In order to participate in this program, applicants must:
- Be of disadvantaged status (underrepresented in medicine, economic hardship, first-generation (college and/or immigration status))
- Have a minimum 3.2 GPA or a 502 MCAT score
- Must commit to all four weekend sessions (sessions will be virtual until further notice - housing and transportation may be provided if necessary for future sessions)
- Intend to apply to medical school in the upcoming medical school application cycle
- Location preference: All applicants are welcome but regional preference will be given to San Diego/Imperial Valley County residents or current/former students within San Diego (UCSD, SDSU, etc.).
Please prepare the following for submission:
- Copy of unofficial transcript and/or official MCAT score
- Brief statement of purpose: Why would this program make a difference for you? (300 words or less)
- Brief list of previous clinical experiences and former pre-health resources utilized
You may view the application here.
Application submissions begin Monday, February 1st, 2021. *NEW NOTE* Deadline is Friday, March 5th, 2021 at 11:59pm.
Decisions will be emailed out no later than March 8th, 2021.