To be eligible for admission, all candidates must complete a minimum of: 

• 139 quarter units or 93 semester units of college coursework.
• Coursework must be completed at an accredited U.S. or English-speaking Canadian institution. 

This includes: 

• U.S. institutions with campuses overseas (e.g., Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar).
• Study abroad programs, provided the coursework is reflected on the transcript of a U.S. or English-speaking Canadian institution.

If your education was completed outside the U.S. or at a non-English-speaking Canadian institution, you are welcome to apply! However, additional steps are required to process your application.

Please note:

• UCSF financial aid is available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• International applicants must be prepared to fully fund their own education and living expenses for the entire four-year program.

When completing the ADEA AADSAS application, follow these steps to ensure accurate reporting of your coursework: 

Colleges attended 

• In the “Colleges Attended” section, report all colleges or universities attended, including any foreign institutions or study abroad programs. 

Transcript entry 

• In the “Transcript Entry” section, enter all courses taken. This includes coursework from foreign institutions or study abroad programs, if the ADEA AADSAS system allows you to do so. (Note: This option is not available for most overseas schools.)
• Request official transcripts from all U.S. and English-speaking Canadian colleges attended to be sent directly to ADEA AADSAS for verification. 

Credential evaluation for non-U.S. or non-English-speaking Canadian colleges 

• Order an official course-by-course credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

• Ensure the evaluation is submitted to ADEA AADSAS by the application deadline. 

Interview requirement 

• If selected for an interview, you must submit official transcripts for all international institutions prior to the interview date (interviews are held October through January).
• Official transcripts must be sent directly to UCSF from the issuing institution(s). Notarized copies are not acceptable. 

If you completed coursework through a study abroad program, follow these guidelines based on the type of program: 

Programs through U.S. institutions overseas

• Report the institution from the drop-down list and enter all related information in the “Transcript Entry” section.
• During the Transcript Review process, mark courses as “Study Abroad.” 

Programs using another school’s study abroad program

Examples: Semester at Sea (University of Virginia), SIT, or CEA Global Campus Network (University of New Haven). 

• Report the U.S. school whose program you attended.
• Enter all related coursework in the “Transcript Entry” section.
• During the Transcript Review process, mark courses as “Study Abroad.” 

Programs through independent study abroad companies or foreign institutions 

Examples: IES, ISA, CIEE, DIS, or other methods.

• Option 1: Credits and grades appear on your undergraduate transcript
  • If your full credits and grades for study abroad courses appear on your undergraduate transcript, list the courses normally with the rest of your undergraduate work.
  • During the transcript review process, mark these courses as “Study Abroad.”
  • No additional documentation is necessary.
  • Note: Acceptable grades include A-F, Credit, Pass, etc. However, grades such as “TR” (transfer) or foreign grades that differ from the rest of your undergraduate transcript are not acceptable.
• Option 2: Credits and grades do not appear on your undergraduate transcript
  • If grades are recorded as “TR” or in foreign formats, report the foreign institution as attended.

  • Order an official course-by-course credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

  • Submit the evaluation to ADEA AADSAS by the application deadline.