UCSD Medical Center

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM

WHAT TYPE OF BACKGROUND DO YOU REQUIRE FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE PROGRAM?

The minimum requirement is a two year allied health program from an accredited school in a field that is directly patient-care oriented. Careers such as Radiology Technologist, Nurse, Physical Therapy, etc. are examples of such patient-care orientation. Non-patient care situations such as Medical Transcriptionist or Medical Records Technician do not meet our requirements. If the allied health program curriculum did not include ides in Algebra, Anatomy & Physiology or Physics, these must be completed prior to entrance into the program.

 WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM?
  The final deadline for submission of all paperwork is July 1 of the year you are applying for the program. If you call on July 2nd and want to complete the application, it will be considered for the following year. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEADLINE.

IS THERE A WAITING LIST FOR THE PROGRAM?
No. Each student must reapply each year for a place in the program. The only exception is that one alternate student is chosen each year and that student will be offered a spot in the program the following year.

 AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID THROUGH UCSD?
No. This program is through the UCSD Medical Center and it not considered part of the main campus curriculum. Financial aid may be applied on your own through private banks. There is not a Financial Aid Officer as part of this program to receive a school code and complete the college “financial aid papers”.

 MAY I APPLY “CREDITS” TOWARD MY COLLEGE DEGREE WITH THIS PROGRAM?
  No. This is a hospital-based program that has no college credit associated with it.

 WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Each year approximately 25-30 applications are mailed to prospective students. Approximately 30% of those applications are returned in a completed format to be considered for interview. All of the applications are reviewed. The applications must be neat, legible, and complete. The letters of recommendation should be outstanding and from three individuals the student has known on a professional level.

The academic grades must be strong in all areas as this is a very competitive program. We look for strength in the science, math and specialty areas. The first semester may have weaker grades, if the remaining semesters show continued improvement. If two students appear equal on other aspects, the grades will make the final determination for acceptance.

Our Ultrasound Program at UCSD is well known for outstanding Sonographers and excellence in student performance. We maintain this excellence by a very selective application process. We set high standards for our students to maintain. An incredible amount of reading, comprehension and logical reasoning is required of our students. Therefore, we have found by establishing these high goals, our students are well prepared to focus on the academic challenge for a successful career in ultrasound.