American University of Antigua and UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension Sign Memorandum of Understanding

American University of Antigua and UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Medical Education Opportunities

Highlights including Guaranteed Admission, Financial Support, and Diversity Scholarships to support students aspiring to pursue medical careers

Premed Postbacc students at the University of California, Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension have expanded opportunities to study at an accredited medical school thanks to a new partnership between American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUA) and UCSC, Silicon Valley Extension.

AUA and UCSC Silicon Valley Extension have entered into a memorandum of understanding that guarantees qualifying UCSC students admissions to the medical school and expands the country’s medical doctor training pipeline. This collaboration underscores the shared dedication of both institutions to fostering learner-centric education, supporting a physician workforce that reflects the diverse communities across California and the nation, and advancing access to high-quality academic programs.

“This collaboration is another important step in building a diverse and qualified global physician workforce,” said Vernon Solomon, AUA’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “We look forward to welcoming UCSC graduates to the AUA community and helping them achieve their aspirations in the field of medicine and service to their communities.”

The MOU will remain in effect for an initial five-year term, offering both institutions the freedom and space to evaluate its success and explore additional avenues for partnership. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the AUA College of Medicine to offer our students a clear and supportive path to pursue their dreams of becoming physicians,” said Dr. Deepthi Nair, senior director of the Premed Postbaccalaureate Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.  “This agreement reinforces our commitment to create and foster inclusive academic opportunities and empower students to serve their communities after they graduate.”

Key highlights of the agreement include:

1. Guaranteed Admission: Students in the Postbacc program with a GPA above 3.0 and who meet AUA’s admission requirements will be guaranteed admission to AUA’s MD program.
2. Application Benefits: UCSC students who apply to AUA will have an expedited admissions timeline and application fees and pre-registration seat deposits upon acceptance will be waived by AUA.
3. Financial Support: Accepted UCSC graduates will be eligible for AUA’s $5,000 Preferred Program Grant, distributed in $1,000 increments across AUA’s Pre-Clinical Sciences Curriculum and Basic Science Integration Course. A total of 10 grants will be awarded annually to students from UCSC.
4. Diversity Scholarships: UCSC graduates from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine may qualify for AUA’s Physician Diversification Initiative Scholarship, further increasing access to a medical education.
5. Campus Engagement: AUA representatives will host periodic on-campus and virtual information sessions to connect with UCSC students and share insights about AUA’s MD program.

This commitment reflects both UCSC and AUA’s dedication to supporting a global community of future medical professionals. UCSC students will benefit from a streamlined pathway to AUA’s esteemed MD program, while AUA will gain talented students eager to contribute to the medical field, creating a partnership that will benefit students and help expand and fuel the healthcare workforce.

About AUA
Established in 2004, part of the renowned Manipal Education and Medical Group, American University of Antigua (AUA) encompasses three schools: AUA College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), AUA College of Graduate Studies (CGS), and AUA College of Medicine (COM) and is a fully accredited international school that offers a rigorous, innovative medical education designed to prepare students for successful careers in medicine.

To learn more, please visit www.auamed.org.

About the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Premed Postbaccalaureate Program

The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Premed Postbacc program supports students from all backgrounds—academic enhancers and career changers—offering science courses, MCAT prep, medical school application workshops, mentorship, and clinical opportunities. With flexible study options, students can customize their path or join a structured cohort to strengthen their applications. Healthcare partnerships and scholarships enhance this supportive journey toward medical school.