Applicant eligibility requirements:  

• Must be currently enrolled in 8th grade within participating districts (Caruthers or Fresno Unified)  
• Must have an interest in becoming a health professional and learning about the importance of serving the Central San Joaquin Valley 
• Must have a minimum cumulative 2.8 middle school GPA 
• Fresno Unified Only: Eligibility to apply is limited to students who are currently enrolled and reside within the Fresno Unified School District. Applications outside of these criteria will not be considered.

Attend an Information Night:  

Both students and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.

Deadline to submit your online application is December 1, 2024.  No extensions will be provided. 

A full online application includes: 

• Online application form and essay 
• Two online teacher recommendation forms (Must be Math, Science, English or History teachers)

Verification of middle school GPA of 2.8 or higher will be requested at each individual school site by UCSF Fresno OHCP upon the completion of your online application.  

The application committee will review all complete and eligible applications submitted by the deadline. Students selected will be moved onto the finalist interview portion of the admissions process. 

Students applying for the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy MUST submit a FUSD Transfer Request form by December 1st, 2024:  

• The FUSD Transfer office has fillable and printable forms in English, Spanish and Hmong: FORM Coming soon
• Submit applications to the Fresno Unified Transfers Office:  
  • Mail or delivery address: 4120 N. First Street Fresno, CA 93726
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Click Here for Transfer Forms on FUSD transfer website
  • Phone: 559-248-7538  |  Fax*: 559-248-7481

Please note that UCSF Fresno OHCP does not oversee the processing of this transfer form. Students not submitting the form are unable to be accepted to the Sunnyside High School DA officially, so please submit. Any questions regarding this transfer form should be directed to the FUSD Transfers Office at 559-248-7481. 

Notifications of finalist interviews go out approximately 2 weeks prior to the interview date via email. Students are expected to be available during the following dates and times for an in-person interview. An interview is required to be further considered for admissions into the program. More info to come.

Interview Dates:

• FUSD – Sunnyside High School: Saturday, January 24, 2026
• CUSD – Caruthers High School: TBD

Interview frequently asked questions (FAQ)

All students will receive notifications via email approximately 4-6 weeks after interviews. Students offered conditional acceptance will receive a link to complete a short survey to confirm their spot in the cohort. If you do not complete the short survey form by the deadline, we cannot guarantee your spot. Thank you for your patience during this time as we aim to notify students as soon as we can. 

For accepted students only. Students must attend orientation with a parent or guardian in the district they are enrolled.

Please note: All acceptances are conditional. Accepted students must maintain a 2.8 GPA throughout 8th grade in order to maintain their placement offer. Transcripts are requested in June to verify grades by UCSF Fresno OHCP from each student’s school site.