Doctors Academy Program Admissions

Applicant eligibility requirements*:  

• Must be currently enrolled in 8th grade within participating districts (Caruthers Unified or Fresno Unified)  
• Have an interest in exploring healthcare careers and learning about opportunities to serve communities in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
• Have a minimum cumulative 2.8 middle school GPA 
• Fresno Unified applicants: Students must currently be enrolled in and reside within the Fresno Unified School District to be eligible to apply. Applications from students who do not meet both requirements will not be considered.

Attend an Information Night:

Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend together.

Learn more about the Doctors Academy experience, program expectations, eligibility requirements, application process, and important deadlines. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions before applying. 

Click here to register to attend

*UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.

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

A complete application includes: 

• Online application and essay 
• Two teacher recommendation from current or recent Math, Science, English or History teachers)

You do not need to submit your transcript or grades. After your application is submitted, UCSF Fresno Office of Health Career Pathways will work directly with your school to verify that you meet the minimum cumulative middle school GPA requirement. 

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 to the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy must also submit a Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) Transfer Request by December 1.

This is a separate requirement from the Doctors Academy application. Students who do not submit the required FUSD transfer request by the deadline cannot be officially accepted into the Sunnyside Doctors Academy.

• Submit your transfer request directly to the Fresno Unified Transfers Office: 
  • Online/Forms: FUSD Student Transfer Request Forms
  • Mail or in person: 4120 N. First Street, Fresno, CA 93726 
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Phone: 559-248-7538 

Transfer forms are available through Fresno Unified in English, Spanish, and Hmong. 

Questions about your transfer? Fresno Unified manages and processes all transfer requests. Please contact the FUSD Transfers Office directly with questions about the transfer process or the status of your request. 

Students selected as finalists will be notified by email approximately two weeks before their scheduled interview date. 

An in-person interview is required to continue in the Doctors Academy admissions process. Finalists should plan to be available on the interview date for their program site. 

Interview Dates:

• FUSD – Sunnyside High School: TBA
• CUSD – Caruthers High School: TBA

Interview frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Admission NotificationAll students who complete a finalist interview will be notified of their admission status by email approximately 4–6 weeks after interviews.

Students offered conditional acceptance will receive instructions and a short online form to confirm their spot in the Doctors Academy cohort.

Students must confirm their acceptance by the stated deadline. Students who do not respond by the deadline may lose their spot in the incoming cohort

Students offered conditional acceptance to Doctors Academy are required to attend orientation with a parent or guardian. 

Orientation will include important information about program expectations, requirements, and next steps for joining Doctors Academy.

Orientation dates, times, and location details will be provided in the student's conditional acceptance notification.
Attendance by both the student and a parent/guardian is required. 

All Doctors Academy acceptances are conditional until final 8th-grade grades are verified. 

 Accepted students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA through the end of 8th grade to remain eligible for Doctors Academy.

Families do not need to submit a transcript. In June, UCSF Fresno Office of Health Career Pathways will work directly with each student's school to verify final grades.
Students who continue to meet the academic eligibility requirements will receive final acceptance into Doctors Academy.