University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

The University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine was established in 1885 by Dr. Joseph Kurtz and Dr. Robert Anderson, two physicians who wanted to create a medical school that was dedicated to educating and training students in the science of medicine. The school has grown over the years, expanding its curriculum and faculty to become one of the most respected medical schools in the nation. The Keck School of Medicine offers a wide range of educational programs, including a four-year MD program, an MD/MBA dual degree program, graduate programs in biomedical sciences and clinical research, as well as residency and fellowship programs. In addition to providing quality medical education for its students, USC Keck School of Medicine is also committed to providing excellent patient care through its world-renowned faculty physicians at the USC University Hospital. It also provides research opportunities for both faculty and students alike with its many research centers such as the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Institute for Genetic Medicine, USC Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, and USC Center for Applied Molecular Medicine. Through these centers, faculty members are able to conduct cutting-edge research on diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease while also training future generations of physicians how best to treat their patients using evidence-based medicine.

University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

University of Southern California Medical Center, abbreviated as USCMC, is one of the top-ranked U.S. medical schools located in Los Angeles, CA. Keep reading to see admissions application information including average GRE scores, admissions selection factors and dual degree programs of University of Southern California Medical Center.

1975 Zonal Avenue, KAM 500
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 442-2552

Admissions E-mail: medadmit@usc.edu
Web site: http://www.usc.edu/keck
Electronic application: http://www.usc.edu/keck

Fall 2008 Admissions Information
AMCAS application accepted? Yes
Earliest application date: 06/01
Application deadline: 11/01
Oldest MCAT considered: 2005
Application fee: $90
Director of admissions: Dr. Erin Quinn
Does this school ask for a secondary application as part of the admissions process? Yes

This school requires undergraduate work in these subjects in order to apply: biology, organic chemistry, inorganic (general) chemistry, physics, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, humanities, social sciences, general chemistry

Is a personal interview required for admission? Yes
Are interviews conducted at the medical school? Yes

Acceptance notice to regular application for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Earliest date: October 15
-Latest date: November 17

Applicant’s response to acceptance offer for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Maximum time in weeks: 2 weeks
-Does the school consider requests for deferred entrance? Yes
-Deposit to hold place in class: $100
-Deposit due: At time of acceptance offer
-Deposit refundable prior to: May 15
-Starting month for the class of 2007-2008: August

Early Decision Plan application period for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Does the school have an Early Decision Plan (EDP)? Yes
-EDP application period begins: June 1
-EDP application period ends: August 1
-EDP applicants notified by: September 1

Fall 2005 Admissions Statistics

The University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine is a highly competitive medical school. The average MCAT score for the admitted applicants is 518 and the average GPA is 3.8. In addition, the acceptance rate for applicants to USC Keck School of Medicine is roughly 4%. The class size usually consists of around 150 students each year, who are selected from a pool of over 6,000 applicants.

The admissions committee at USC Keck School of Medicine looks for students who demonstrate qualities such as leadership, integrity, resilience, empathy and communication skills. Applicants must also have strong academic credentials and a commitment to serving diverse populations. The school offers joint degree programs with other universities such as the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). This allows students to gain an additional degree in areas like public health or business administration while earning their medical degree from USC Keck School of Medicine. Additionally, prospective students may apply for early decision admission which allows them to receive their admission decision earlier in the cycle if they meet certain criteria.

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 6,308 716 383 163
In-state: 3,270 488 259 113
Out-of-state: 3,038 228 124 50
Women: 3,029 368 207 82
Minorities: 2,846 288 156 61
International: 307 14 5 4

Acceptance rate: 6.1%

GPA
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.6

MCAT
Overall score (composite): 10.8
Verbal reasoning: 10.0
Physical sciences: 11.1
Biological: 11.0
Writing: Q

Undergraduate Majors
Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 47%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 21%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 18%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 1%
Mixed disciplines and other: 13%

Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 47%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 21%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 18%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 1%
Mixed disciplines and other: 13%

Combined Degree Programs
Combined degree programs offered: M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H., M.D./M.S.W., M.D./M.S., M.D./M.H.A.

Does the school have a combined college/M.D. program? Yes
Number of years to complete combined college/M.D. program: 8 years
Web site for combined college/M.D. program: www.usc.edu/schools/college/admission/baccalaureatemd

Selection Factors
Details on the policies, preferences, criteria, factors and procedures used in the M.D. admission process:
(Data appear as originally submitted by this school)
The Keck School of Medicine Admissions Committee views the attributes of each applicant holistically, considering the following: Performance in college; GPA; MCAT; personal characteristics such as communication skills, compassion; empathy; history of leadership, civic service and a commitment to social justice; interest in teaching, research or providing patient care to underserved populations.