How to Get into Keck School of Medicine of USC: The Ultimate Guide for 2024-2025

Keck School Of Medicine integrates academic prowess, cutting-edge research, and advanced facilities to train high-profile physicians. Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM) is a dream destination for many aspiring doctors. In this post, we'll explore everything you need to know to craft a compelling application.

We’ll share:

• An overview of Keck School of Medicine of USC’s curriculum for MD students
• Tuition fees 
• Required premed courses, GPA, and MCAT
• Current admission rates
• How to write your KSOM admission essay
• Letter of recommendation guidelines
• KSOM eligibility restrictions
• Application timeline

Without further ado, let’s get started.

An Overview of Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Curriculum for MD Students

Keck School of Medicine of USC is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, comprehensive clinical training, and rich research opportunities. 

The MD Program is divided into three distinct phases:

• Phase 1 - Scientific and clinical foundations: The program provides students with a broad knowledge base and clinical skills in biomedical sciences and patient care through active learning methods. Students engage in service-learning experiences and receive mentorship for professional development, culminating in the USMLE Step 1 exam after Phase 1 completion.
• Phase 2 - Clinical immersion: Students undergo immersive clinical training as part of interprofessional teams across various medical specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery.
• Phase 3 Individual approach: Students design individualized schedules of advanced clinical experiences and non-clinical coursework with career advisors to refine and work toward career goals.

Keck School of Medicine of USC Tuition Fees and Scholarships

For the academic year 2023-2024, the tuition fees at Keck School of Medicine of USC are as follows:

• Tuition - $66,640
• Mandatory Fees - $7,345
• Health Insurance Fee - $2,702

With all the mentioned fees included, the total cost of attendance comes to $73,989.

Financial Aid

Scholarships played a significant role in student support for the class of 2027. A substantial 80% of students benefited from financial aid, with the average annual scholarship totaling $20,000. 

How Hard Is It To Get Into Keck School of Medicine of USC?

Keck School of Medicine of USC seeks to enroll students who can demonstrate academic excellence, a solid scientific background, and a strong commitment to medicine.

There are several key aspects of KSOM admissions, including:

• Have completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university in the U.S. before matriculation.
• Demonstrating competency in the sciences.
• Have taken the MCAT no earlier than January 1, 2021, and no later than September 30, 2023.

The school has no specific course requirements, although Spanish and statistics are recommended. Plus, KSOM values diverse backgrounds and perspectives in its student body and aims to create an inclusive environment.

Keck School of Medicine of USC GPA, MCAT, GPA, and Admission Rate

The admissions process for the class of 2027 at Keck School of Medicine of USC was highly competitive. The school received a total of 8,000 applications, out of which 750 candidates were interviewed. Ultimately, only 185 applicants were admitted. 

For the class of 2027, Keck School of Medicine’s acceptance rate was approximately 2.3%. In terms of academic performance, admitted students averaged a MCAT score of 517 and a GPA of 3.8.

How to Write Your KSOM Essay

After completing your AMCAS application, you’ll need to write several secondary essays specifically for Keck School of Medicine. These essays are crucial as they allow you to demonstrate how your background aligns with KSOM, beyond what is conveyed in your general medical school personal statement and the AMCAS Work and Activities section.

The secondary essay prompts for KSOM require thoughtful and comprehensive responses. For example:

The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Each answer must be 65 words or less.

• What is the most fun you’ve had lately?
• If you had to give yourself a nickname, what would it be?
• What are three things you don’t care about at all?
• Are you a member of a group that is under-represented in medicine? (Y/N)

If yes, which group? How does under-representation affect your community?

• Have you previously applied to medical school (M.D. , D.O., international)? (Y/N). If yes, upon reflection, what do you think went wrong?

To write a competitive essay we suggest you to tailor your essays to reflect USC Keck's mission. If you feel a bit lost when it comes to defining who you are in a  few sentences, you may write a whole page to begin with, and then take a peek back to spot the sentences that really get to the heart of who you truly are.

Plus, you should demonstrate your maturity by openly acknowledging and learning from setbacks. It's about embracing challenges, understanding their lessons, and using them to evolve and grow.

Keck School of Medicine of USC Letter of Recommendation Requirements and Guidelines

‍Applicants can submit up to 3 letters of recommendation to enter Keck School of Medicine of USC. You should send either a committee letter or 2 to 3 individual letters from professors, PI’s, or work supervisors.

Applicants must submit their letters via AMCAS and should refrain from sending any letters directly to the Office of Admissions, as they will not be considered.

KSOM Eligibility Restrictions

Keck School of Medicine of USC has some eligibility restrictions for its admissions process:

• Individuals who have discontinued studies in medical school for academic reasons are not eligible to apply to the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
• Transfer applicants are not admitted. 

Are International Students Eligible to Apply to KSOM?

International applicants must possess a degree deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, as assessed by the USC Office of Graduate and International Admissions.

KSOM Application Timeline 

To be admitted to KSOM, you must submit your application on December 1

before your first academic year. The admissions timeline typically follows this schedule:

• May - Primary application is available via AMCAS. 
• July - Applications are reviewed and interview invitations are e-mailed to selected applicants July-February.
• August - Interview Season begins. 
• October 15 - Offers of admission are made beginning on Oct 15, and continue to be made on a rolling basis. 
• November 1 - AMCAS Application Deadline (if Novemebr 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day).
• December 1 - Keck School Supplemental Application Deadline (if December 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day). 
• August - Orientation and the first week of classes begin for entering class.

Keck uses a rolling admissions process, but submitting a completed application early in the cycle is advisable. Candidates typically receive notification by March of the application year if they’re not selected for an interview.

Let’s Put You on the Path to Keck School of Medicine of USC

Beginning your journey to the Keck School of Medicine involves showcasing qualities like academic prowess and a dedication to community healthcare. Premed Catalyst is your partner on your application journey, offering personalized mentorship tailored to Keck's criteria and your specific needs. Take the first step toward your medical career by filling out a quick form, and let's start crafting your path to Keck School of Medicine!