Charles R. Drew University
Criteria for Admission
CDU seeks to admit as many students who meet the basic qualifications for its programs as the University’s capacity allows. These qualifications vary by program but always include traditional criteria such as high school grade-point average, college grade-point average, completion or grades in specific courses, previous academic degrees, and standardized test scores. These criteria are specified in the description for each program.
When the number of qualified applicants exceeds a program’s capacity, the program looks to CDU’s mission for guidance: “Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is a private, nonprofit, community-founded, student-centered University committed to cultivating diverse health professions leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, clinical service, and community engagement.” In light of this mission, CDU considers the following characteristics of applicants:
- Applicants from South Los Angeles
- Applicants from medically underserved communities
- Applicants who have overcome significant barriers to reach their present standing as students
- Applicants who present a record of commitment to underserved populations.
Taken together, these characteristics reach to both CDU’s origin in service to South Los Angeles and its vision of “Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities.”
Medically underserved communities are designated by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas of Populations (MUA/P). These designations may be mapped to communities or zip codes.
Evidence of significant barriers overcome may include: Pell Grant; Cal-Grant; classification of EO1 or EO2 (Parental Education and Occupation) by the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS); other indicators of hardship presented by the applicant; first generation college.
A record of commitment to underserved populations may be demonstrated by participation in service programs; volunteer work through service agencies, community organizations, or state or county healthcare facilities; documented advocacy; formal study of issues such as socio-economic or healthcare disparities; or other evidence presented by the applicant.
Services for CDU Students
- Academic Support
- Career Services
- Health & Wellness