Quick Answer: Does California University of Science and Medicine Require CASPer?
Yes, California University of Science and Medicine CASPer is required as part of the admissions process. Applicants who advance past the initial application review and receive a CUSM secondary application must complete CASPer.
The Altus Suite is a set of online assessments used by medical schools to evaluate applicants’ responses and reasoning to different scenarios within a clinical setting. It includes CASPer, Duet, and Snapshot.
Currently, California University of Science and Medicine requires CASPer only; Duet and Snapshot are not required.
If you’re applying broadly, it may also be helpful to review a full list of Medical Schools That Require CASPer so you can plan your testing timeline strategically.
This blog will cover:
- Quick Answer: Does California University of Science and Medicine Require CASPer?
- What Is CASPer and Why Do Medical Schools Use It?
- California University of Science and Medicine Overview
- California University of Science and Medicine Admissions Overview
- California University of Science and Medicine CASPer Requirements: What Applicants Need to Know
- How California University of Science and Medicine Uses CASPer Scores in Admissions
- What Kind of CASPer Answers Fit CUSM’s Mission?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Medical College of Wisconsin CASPer
- Final Takeaway: Should You Worry About CASPer for California University of Science and Medicine?
What Is CASPer and Why Do Medical Schools Use It?
CASPer is an online situational judgment test (SJT) used by medical schools to evaluate how applicants think through challenging situations. Rather than testing scientific knowledge, CASPer focuses on how applicants reason, communicate, and make decisions under pressure.
CASPer is designed to assess core competencies such as:
- Ethical reasoning
- Professionalism
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Judgment
Many medical schools—particularly newer and mission-driven institutions—use CASPer to complement traditional metrics like GPA and MCAT scores. While academic performance reflects cognitive ability, CASPer helps schools assess whether an applicant’s values, behaviors, and decision-making style align with the responsibilities of clinical practice at their school.
California University of Science and Medicine Overview
California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) is a mission-driven medical school founded to address critical gaps in healthcare access across California, with particular attention to the Inland Empire. From its inception, CUSM was designed not omly to educate future physicians, but also to prepare clinicians who are capable of serving diverse, medically underserved populations with professionalism, ethical judgment, and cultural awareness. Its educational model reflects the belief that strong medical training must be paired with a deep understanding of community needs and patient-centered care.
CUSM’s location in Colton, California places it within a region that continues to experience persistent physician shortages and significant health disparities. These regional challenges shape how CUSM approaches medical education. Students are trained in environments where access to care are central concerns, reinforcing the importance of community-based medicine. Rather than focusing solely on care situated in hospitals, CUSM emphasizes the role physicians play within broader healthcare systems and local communities.
A defining feature of CUSM is its commitment to addressing workforce shortages by training physicians who are prepared to practice in areas of high need. This commitment influences both the structure of the curriculum and the type of students the school seeks to admit. CUSM values applicants who demonstrate adaptability and resilience, qualities that are essential for physicians working in resource-limited settings. The school’s focus is in providing long-term impact for the communities it serves.
Service to the Inland Empire and other underserved populations is also an integral part of CUSM’s mission. Students are encouraged to approach patient care with an understanding that effective treatment requires sensitivity to the socioeconomic factors that shape health outcomes. Training in diverse clinical environments helps students develop the interpersonal skills needed to communicate effectively with patients from different backgrounds and to navigate complex healthcare challenges with empathy and professionalism.
This emphasis on personal values and professional behavior helps explain why applicants frequently research “California University of Science and Medicine CASPer .” CUSM’s admissions philosophy prioritizes more than academic metrics; it seeks to understand how applicants think, communicate, and make decisions when faced with real-world challenges. The traits assessed through CASPer align with the qualities required to succeed in CUSM’s educational and clinical settings. Often, CASPer questions offer scenarios extending beyond the medical knowledge learned in the classroom. By navigating through these scenarios, CUSM admissions can recognize if applicants can approach problems from multiple perspectives and respond thoughtfully to ensure patient-centered care.
For applicants, CASPer serves as an important indicator of institutional fit. Thoughtful answers suggests readiness to engage thoughtfully with the types of situations that are common in community-focused and underserved care settings. For example, this could include consoling patients, understanding their cultural backgrounds, or working collaboratively with other members of the clinic. In this context, CASPer can serve as a reflection of how CUSM defines the role and responsibilities of the physicians it aims to train.
California University of Science and Medicine Admissions Overview
The first step to applying to California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) is through the AMCAS application. CUSM reviews applicants through both an academic and non-academic lens. Therefore, they take into account GPA and MCAT scores as well as an applicant’s experiences and personal qualities. As part of this broader evaluation, CASPer is a required component in assessing applicants communicate, reason through challenges, and approach complex situations within a hospital setting.
Applicants who meet the CUSM criteria are invited to submit the CUSM Secondary Application which includes the CASPer assessment. CUSM does not accept any supplementary materials or updates in the Secondary Application.
After the CUSM Secondary Application, the CUSM admissions committee selects candidates to move onto the CUSM Interview Process. This interview consists of timed, pre-recorded questions and takes approximately 30–60 minutes to complete at your convenience.
California University of Science and Medicine CASPer Requirements: What Applicants Need to Know
CUSM requires only CASPer from the Altus Suite as part of its admissions process.
The test format will include two main sections—video responses and typed responses. Applicants will encounter both video-based and word-based prompts throughout the test.
In previous years, the final deadline for the secondary application was in late August. Therefore, we suggest students taking Casper at the latest mid July, but May and June are more preferred. Check on the main CUSM application website to verify the deadline for Secondary Materials for the upcoming cycle.
How California University of Science and Medicine Uses CASPer Scores in Admissions
The California University of Science and Medicine states that it reviews applications using a holistic admissions process, in which multiple components are considered together rather than weighted individually. While CASPer is required as part of the application, CUSM does not publicly disclose how CASPer scores are weighted relative to other admissions criteria.
What Kind of CASPer Answers Fit CUSM’s Mission?
CASPer answers that align well with CUSM’s mission tend to emphasize strong reasoning skills behind answers. Strong responses often demonstrate:
- Ethical reasoning
- Cultural humility
- Team-based decision-making
- Commitment to serving underserved or marginalized communities
CUSM is not looking for “perfect” answers. Instead, admissions reviewers want more insight into an applicant’s thought process and their values when navigating difficult scenarios. For applicants, CASPer is an opportunity to show alignment with CUSM’s mission and core values, helping convey that the school is a strong fit beyond academic qualifications.
, can be found here.
How to Prepare for CASPer Using CASPer Edge If You’re Applying to CUSM
Check out CASPer Edge!
Frequently Asked Questions About California University of Science and Medicine CASPer
1. Does California University of Science and Medicine require CASPer every year?
Yes. CUSM has consistently required CASPer, but applicants should verify requirements each application cycle.
2. Does CUSM look at Snapshot or Duet?
Currently, no. Applicants should confirm which Altus Suite components are required or reviewed, as policies may change.
3. Can CASPer hurt my application to CUSM?
CASPer can negatively impact your application if responses raise concerns about professionalism or judgment. However, it is only one part of a holistic review.
4. Is CASPer more important for certain applicants?
CASPer is important for all applicants to take seriously. It is one of the primary ways admissions committees assess an applicant’s communication and reasoning skills in real world situations, making it an opportunity to showcase qualities that might not be fully captured in other parts of the application.
5. Does CUSM consider multiple CASPer scores?
No, CASPer scores are only valid for one admissions cycle, so if you are reapplying, you must retake the CASPer exam for that current cycle.
6. Who should applicants contact with CASPer or admissions questions?
Applicants should contact the CUSM office of admissions through Admissions@cusm.edu.
- Email: camedadms@bu.edu.
- Phone: (617) 358-9540
Final Takeaway: Should You Worry About CASPer for California University of Science and Medicine?
If you’re applying to CUSM, California University of Science and Medicine CASPer should be taken seriously, but not feared. CASPer is designed to evaluate qualities that align closely with CUSM’s mission: empathy, ethical reasoning, communication, and service-oriented decision-making.
Familiarity with the test format, and a look into CUSM’s values can go a long way. Applicants are encouraged to complete free CASPer practice problems and become familiar with the style of questions in advance.
You can explore CASPer preparation resources and practice scenarios here: https://casperedge.com/
How to Prepare Strategically for CASPer Using CASPer Edge
Check out CASPer Edge!