Medicine, MD

Program Description

Since 1909, our School of Medicine has educated medical students in a supportive Christian environment of excellence and caring. Our educational process has followed the best practices of medical education throughout its history while holding true to our original mission, to “continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ to make man whole.”

Our instructional methods are an effective blend of lectures, small group sessions and problem-based learning. Our students are educated in state-of-the-art educational facilities including our anatomy laboratory. Our medical simulation center, which includes a virtual trainer room that utilizes virtual reality (VR) technology, enables our students to learn, practice, and be assessed on medical procedures in a safe, educationally progressive hospital-simulated environment. Our physical diagnosis exam rooms are equipped with video recording for student feedback.

However, beyond our up-to-date pedagogy and instructional equipment, our professors are truly invested in the success of their students, both professionally and personally. Our curriculum and environment is distinctively Christian, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care. Our mission permeates the educational process, with courses that approach medical ethics and decision making from a Christian perspective and clinicians that role model caring professionalism. Our students are actively involved in service. Whether through international medical mission trips or outreach to neighboring underserved communities, our students consistently demonstrate their care for the welfare of others.

Program Website

Program Length

Four years

Possible Careers

Physicians work in a variety of specialties and health care settings.

Application Deadlines

August 1	Early Decision Program AMCAS application deadline
August 15	Early Decision Program secondary application and letters of recommendation deadline
November 1	Regular and MD/PhD AMCAS application deadline
November 15	Regular and MD/PhD secondary application and letters of recommendation deadline

Admissions Requirements

For admission to Loma Linda University School of Medicine, applicants are expected to complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada prior to matriculation. The degree can be in any field of study with the recommendation that the applicant advance beyond the basic courses of the chosen field. No major field is given preference. A curriculum that includes the study of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is recommended to provide a solid preparation for the MCAT, medical school, and the future role as a physician. 

Students currently in a degree-granting program must complete all degree requirements and provide documentation of graduation or completion of requirements prior to matriculation.

On rare occasions, academically exceptional applicants may be considered for admission who have completed 90 semester/135 quarter hours at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.

Prerequisites

Required courses must be completed at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. We recommend the required courses be taken at a four-year institution. The following courses are required for consideration:

General Biology (excludes Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology)	One year sequence with lab
General or Inorganic Chemistry	One year sequence with lab
Organic Chemistry	One year sequence with lab
Biochemistry	One academic term
General Physics	One year sequence with lab

Introductory courses in basic statistics, psychology, and sociology are recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: CLEP and pass/fail performances (note COVID-19 exception for pass/fail on coursework taken during the winter/spring 2020 academic terms only) are not acceptable for the science required courses. Additionally, science credits earned in professional schools (e.g., allied health professions, business, dentistry, nursing or pharmacy) do not fulfill requirements for admission to medicine. Advanced Placement (AP) credits for the required science courses generally are not accepted. However, if the applicant’s undergraduate institution has accepted the AP credits, upper division science courses in the same area may be substituted for the required credit hours. Online coursework and labs taken at accredited institutions are acceptable.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): All applicants must complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) prior to consideration by the Admissions Committee. The MCAT tests for knowledge gained from the required science courses. The test must be taken no later than September of the year prior to anticipated matriculation. MCAT scores older than three years from the date of matriculation are not considered. For the 2025 application cycle, the earliest MCAT accepted is one taken any time in 2022.

Health Care Experience: Applicants are required to obtain physician shadowing experience and direct patient care exposure to better inform their decision for a career in medicine.

Integrating faith and health

Loma Linda University educates and encourages a balanced life by living our values of humility, compassion, justice, integrity, excellence, freedom and self- control. You will be surrounded by faculty who are committed to healthcare innovation and research while engaging your spirituality.

Expected Cost of Attendance

The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.

Required Program Costs

Academic Year 2024-2025

Year of Program Months Enrolled	Year 1 11	Year 2 8	Year 3 12	Year 4 9
Tuition & Fees	$69,436	$69,436	$69,776	$69,776
Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance (May or may not be purchased through the school)	$2,423	$287	$1,112	$85

Other Educational Costs

Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.

Year of Program Months Enrolled	Year 1 11	Year 2 8	Year 3 12	Year 4 9
Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance) Students will be assigned one of the following Living Expense Budget Options:
On Campus Dorm	$14,465	$10,520	$15,780	$11,835
LLU Owned Rental Property	$23,100	$16,800	$25,200	$18,900
LLU Owned Rental w/ Dependents	$24,200	$17,600	$26,400	$19,800
Undergraduate Dependent w/ Parents	$8,800	$6,400	$9,600	$7,200
Off Campus	$23,100	$16,800	$25,200	$18,900
Transportation Allowance	$3,850	$2,800	$4,200	$7,500
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$3,850	$2,800	$4,200	$3,500
Federal Student Loan Fees	$3,042	$2,753	$3,078	$3,066
Cost of Obtaining Professional License	0	$660	$660	0
Dependent Care (See Budget Revision Request form)	Available upon Request
Disability-Related Expenses (See Budget Revision Request form)	Available upon Request

Notes

Students typically meet the cost of medical education with student educational loans. The Association of American Medical Colleges website offers a full range of financial information, resources, services, and tools for medical school applicants and students (https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid-resources/financial-aid-resources).

• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
• Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
• To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.