Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Los Angeles, California
38.8% Acceptance Rate
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
38.8%Acceptance Rate
3.26Avg GPA
$33,973Annual Cost
$83,438Grad Salary
31.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
38.8%
Avg GPA
3.26
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
31.3% receive Pell
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit, historically black graduate institution in California dedicated to health equity and social justice. Known for its rigorous medical and nursing programs, the university serves as a leader in training health professionals to address the needs of underserved communities. Its unique mission, combined with strong clinical training and a focus on community health, makes it a premier destination for students who are passionate about healthcare and committed to making a tangible, positive impact.
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Acceptance Rate
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is selective but reasonable: about 38.8% of applicants (39 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What CDU Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 38.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.81
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 128 days left — Priority (Biomedical Sciences UG, Fall)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CDU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority (Biomedical Sciences UG, Fall)
December 1
Regular / Rolling (Biomedical Sciences UG, Fall)
March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
CDU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CDU is 3.26. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.96–3.26 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.46–3.66.CDU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.86 – 3.05
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.85
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One of only four MD programs in the U.S. at a Historically Black University, and the only one that is also a Hispanic-serving institution; provisional LCME accreditation was granted in July 2025, with full accreditation review scheduled for 2026-2027.
- No transfer students are accepted into the MD program; all candidates apply via AMCAS plus a required (no-fee) supplemental application and virtual interview.
- MCAT scores must be no older than 6 years at matriculation, and prerequisite coursework must be completed within the past 10 years - both windows shift with each cycle.
- Holistic review explicitly weighs health-disparities/community-health research, clinical experience, and community service in underserved communities over generic pre-med credentials.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at CDU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CDU — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CDU Without SAT or ACT?
CDU neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CDU
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At CDU, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Weight the Application Toward Health-Disparities Work, Not Generic Pre-Med Activities
CDU's holistic review explicitly gives preference to research in health disparities or community health (not just any lab research), clinical experience, and demonstrated community service in underserved communities - reflecting the mission-driven "Glenda Lyndsey Curriculum." An applicant should build and frame their activities around this specific focus rather than a generic pre-med r?sum? of shadowing and general research.
Track the Exact MCAT and Prerequisite Validity Windows Each Cycle
MCAT scores must be no more than 6 years old at matriculation, and prerequisite coursework must be completed within the past 10 years - but the exact cutoff date shifts with each application cycle. An applicant who tested or took prerequisites early in undergrad should verify their specific dates against the current cycle's published cutoff before assuming a score or course still counts.
Don't Plan on the MD Program as a Mid-Program Transfer Option
CDU's MD program does not accept transfer students under any circumstances - every candidate must apply fresh through AMCAS. A student currently enrolled elsewhere with plans to transfer in later should abandon that plan and apply directly through the normal cycle instead.
Prepare for the Required Supplemental Application and Virtual Interview Early
Beyond AMCAS, CDU requires a free supplemental application and a virtual faculty interview as part of its process. Applicants should treat the supplemental materials as a genuine second opportunity to reinforce the health-equity focus of their file, not a pro forma add-on.
Expert Insight:
CDU's College of Medicine is a genuinely new MD program - it received only provisional LCME accreditation as of July 2025, with the full accreditation survey visit scheduled for 2026?2027. Applicants should verify the current accreditation status directly before applying, since this is a different risk/opportunity profile than an established medical school with decades of residency-match history, not a mistake in the school's paperwork.
CDU Profile
Full Name
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU)
City
Los Angeles
State
California
ZIP Code
90059
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a CDU Degree Worth It?
Whether CDU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $55,900, and graduates see a 5.31% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CDU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $33,973/year at CDU; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At CDU, 31.3% receive a Pell Grant and 68.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CDU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CDU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CDU graduates report a median income of $83,438, about 106% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at CDU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
First Professional Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CDU Admissions
Graduates of Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a high median salary — $83,438/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is moderate, around $33,973/year; many students supplement with aid.
31.3% of Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science's acceptance rate is 38.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students is 3.26, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.96 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.86 or below makes admission tougher at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science's deadline is December 1 (Priority (Biomedical Sciences UG, Fall)). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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