What does it Cost and How do I apply?
Decision Medicine is entirely FREE-due to generous financial support from Health Plan of San Joaquin. Additional support and resources come from Adventist Health Dameron Hospital, Community Medical Centers Kaiser Permanente, San Joaquin General Hospital, San Joaquin Public Health Services, Shriners Children's, St. Mary's Dining Room, St. Joseph's Medical Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, and UCSF School of Medicine.
The program was created by the San Joaquin Medical Society 24 years ago to encourage high achieving, underrepresented students, who would not otherwise have these opportunities, to consider a career in medicine and eventually come back to serve our community.
Applications are only accepted online from 2/10/25-3/10/25. The initial selection/screening process will be based upon the students Grade Point Average (GPA), answers to several questions and a 250-word personal statement essay. Please allow yourself at least 30 minutes to complete the application. You cannot save and complete it later and may get timed out. The top 40 applicants are then invited for a personal interview with a panel of physicians tentatively scheduled for 4/5/25. The final 24 students will be selected by the panel after reviewing completed application and essays, with GPA's confirmed, and cumulative personal interview score. The Decision Medicine Class of 2025 will be notified by email the week after the interview.
Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program (July 2025) and enrolled in San Joaquin County High School to participate in Decision Medicine - current sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply. Current seniors who will be graduating in May/June 2025 are ineligible to participate in the program. Please see our FAQs for more details.