UCSC Premed Postbacc Cohort Program

Med School prep to strengthen your candidacy

Flexible cohorts in Silicon Valley and the Central Coast

Designed for career changers and academic enhancers, the UC Santa Cruz Premed Postbacc Program is a flexible hybrid program that helps you strengthen your academic qualifications and prepare for medical school. The program includes:

UC science courses,
MCAT prep,
lecture series,
workshops,
advising,
mentorships,
and more.

Applications currently being accepted for the Silicon Valley Summer 2025 Cohort.

Why Choose UC Santa Cruz Premed Postbacc?

We offer a variety of unique mentorship and shadowing opportunities including placement programs that provide students with research, mentorship, and clinical experience. Students may shadow physicians through the Permanente Medical Group, participate in vital mentoring through the MiMentor program or the Kaiser REPRESENT program, or gain experience through our various partners.

Evening and weekend course offerings ensure that you can balance your education with your personal and professional commitments.

Students join a diverse and supportive community of peers, fostering meaningful connections and a collaborative cohort experience.

Enjoy the flexibility of online learning or enjoy with the personal engagement of in-person classes at our Silicon Valley campus. Students complete coursework fully online, attend in-person in Santa Clara, CAat our Silicon Valley campus, or participate in a combination of both.

While some medical schools in the U.S. require that students earn their bachelor’s degrees from the US, our established pathway agreements with a number of accredited international medical schools offer qualifying students guaranteed interviews and admissions into residency programs in the U.S. These important pathways serve as a supportive pathway for international students as well as career changers who often struggle to gain footing in the competitive U.S. healthcare market.

Silicon Valley Cohort | Summer 2025 Overview

Start: Summer 2025
Format: Hybrid
Location: UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus, Santa Clara, CA or Online
Duration: 12 to 24+ months (based on individual academic needs).
Components: Includes science courses, MCAT prep, lecture series, workshops, advising, and other opportunities.

Rolling Applications: Apply early. Limited seats available.
Priority Review Deadline: May 7, 2025
Final Application Deadline: June 16, 2025

Fee: $25 non-refundable application fee paid through PostBacCAS
Letters of Recommendation: Two, requested via PostBacCAS
Resume/CV: Upload via PostBacCAS "Documents" tab
Other: Complete the required application questions listed in the "Questions" tab

Interviews

In some cases, applicants will be invited for an interview before acceptance into the program.

Program Acceptance

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If accepted, you must confirm your place within two weeks by signing a Student Agreement. You must also pay a $2,000 program fee as indicated by the program.

International Students

International students with the appropriate visa may be considered, but must contact PostbacCAS for transcript evaluation requirements.

Contact Us

For any questions, please visit our website or email us at postbacc@ucsc.edu.

Apply through PostBacCAS

Central Coast Cohort | Fall 2025 Overview

Our mission is to support students from underrepresented populations who are committed to practicing in medically underserved communities of California.

This cohort is for academic enhancers who are California residents.

Start: Fall 2025
Format: Hybrid
Location: UCSC MBEST Center, Marina, CA or Online
Duration: 12 months (based on individual academic needs).
Components: Includes science courses, MCAT prep, lecture series, workshops, advising, and other opportunities.

Rolling Applications: Applications not accepted at this time
Priority Review Deadline: TBD
Final Application Deadline: TBD