Keck School of Medicine
Admissions
Doctor of Medicine
1975 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9021
(323) 442-2552
FAX: (323) 442-2433
Associate Dean, Admissions: Raquel D. Arias, M.D.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC Committee on Admissions is responsible for selecting members of the entering class. The committee comprises both faculty and students. The committee reviews candidates whose academic achievement, commitment to service and personal qualities distinguish them from the many thousands of applicants who apply.
The applicant’s undergraduate major may be in any subject area from an accredited college or university. Although sound preparation in the basic sciences is essential, a background in the humanities, and depth and breadth of personal experience are also important.
General Admissions Information
The Keck School of Medicine of USC participates in the centralized American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and also requires the submission of the Keck School of Medicine supplemental application. Approximately 7,500 applications are received per year and 750 applicants receive interview invitations. Interviews begin in mid-September and end in early March. Students receive acceptance letters beginning in October.
Requirements
All applicants to the Keck School of Medicine of USC M.D. program must have completed a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation. The school has no specific course requirements. Strong applicants will have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of study and have demonstrated competency in the sciences at the time of their application. The Medical School Admission Requirement (MSAR) guide may be referenced for recommended course work. The MCAT is required, and scores must be from within the previous three years of the date of matriculation.
International applicants must hold a degree considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree as evaluated by the USC Office of Graduate and International Admissions.
Individuals who have discontinued studies in medical school for academic reasons are not eligible to apply to the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
The MCAT is required of all applicants. Applicants to the entering class are required to take the MCAT within the previous three years of the date of matriculation and no later than August in the year that the application becomes available. Scores from administrations of the examination taken outside of this time period will not be accepted.
Applications
The Keck School of Medicine of USC participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS reproduces and distributes an application and standardized academic record to participating medical schools designated by the student. Applications may be obtained from its Website (aamc.org).
Applications are available after June 1 for the class entering in August of the following year. Applications to USC must be returned to AMCAS before November 3, but earlier application is encouraged. The Keck School of Medicine of USC participates in the Early Decision Program. Interested applicants apply between June 1 and July 31 and are notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision by September 1.
The Committee on Admissions reviews all information submitted on the AMCAS application as well as the school’s supplemental application. The nonrefundable supplemental application fee is $100.
Personal Interviews
Personal interviews are a required aspect of the application process. Interviews are conducted at the Keck School of Medicine on the Health Sciences Campus of the University of Southern California.
Notice of Acceptance
Notices of acceptance will be sent to successful candidates beginning in October until the class is filled. Since Keck uses a rolling admissions process, it is highly recommended to submit a completed application early in the cycle. If not chosen for an interview, candidates are usually notified by March of the application year.
Candidates must reply to an offer of admission and agree to the Essential Characteristics and Abilities Required for the Completion of the MD Degree within 10 business days of receiving the offer of admission. A letter of withdrawal, via email or post mail, is required if students wish to relinquish their place in the class; release is granted automatically when the letter is received.
M.D./Ph.D. Program
The Keck School of Medicine has developed an M.D./Ph.D. program designed for individuals who aspire to a career in academic medicine or a leadership role within the biomedical industry. Students are expected to acquire the modern skills that are required for physician competence. Additionally, the M.D./Ph.D. program provides an opportunity for the development of research expertise and academic excellence while fulfilling the requirements for a Ph.D. degree.
A joint program between the Keck School of Medicine and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) was established in fall 1997 for the granting of the M.D./Ph.D. degree. Ph.D. studies may be carried out at Caltech or through collaboration between two laboratories at both institutions. The M.D. will be awarded from the Keck School of Medicine and the Ph.D. will be awarded from Caltech.
The M.D./Ph.D. executive committee is responsible for selecting students for the M.D./Ph.D. program. Members of the committee review the qualifications of each applicant, including MCAT scores, academic performance, letters of recommendation and research experience. The committee interviews candidates and then selects students for admission to the program. All applicants to the joint program interview at Keck School of Medicine and the California Institute of Technology.
General Information
The M.D./Ph.D. program enrolls four students annually. Students have the option of doing the Ph.D. at USC or Caltech. Each student accepted to the program must also be accepted to the Keck School of Medicine. All positions are fully funded.
Requirements
Admission requirements for the M.D./Ph.D. program are those of one of the graduate programs at Caltech, the Keck School of Medicine and USC. Students select the program of their choice during the first two years of the medical curriculum; descriptions of these programs are available from each department or program and Caltech.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
To assist the M.D./Ph.D. Committee in its evaluation of candidates, applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program are encouraged to provide recent GRE scores. The committee does not, however, require GRE scores in order to consider an application.
Applications
Applicants to the Keck School of Medicine are advised to request information about the M.D./Ph.D. program at the time of application. In addition to completing the medical school application, applicants should indicate their interest in the M.D./Ph.D. program.
Students who are currently pursuing the medical curriculum at the Keck School of Medicine may apply to the M.D./Ph.D. program by contacting: M.D./Ph.D. Program, Keck School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal Avenue (KAM 200), Los Angeles, CA 90089-9023; (323) 442-2965, FAX: (323) 442-2318.
Personal Interviews
All applicants are screened by members of the M.D./Ph.D. Executive Committee; candidates who meet the basic criteria of the program are then invited to be interviewed by members of the committee and faculty at USC and Caltech.
Notice of Acceptance
Students selected for acceptance to the M.D./Ph.D. program are notified between January and May of each year. Students begin their program in the fall semester and register for courses in the medical curriculum at that time.
Further information about the M.D./Ph.D. program at the Keck School of Medicine may be obtained by contacting: M.D./Ph.D. Program, Keck School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal Avenue (KAM 200), Los Angeles, CA 90089-9023; (323) 442-2965, FAX: (323) 442-2318; email: mdphdpgm@usc.edu.
Graduate Degree Programs
Admission standards for these curricula are established jointly by the Keck School of Medicine, its participating programs and the Graduate School.
Applicants to graduate degree programs offered at the Keck School of Medicine must meet the general criteria for acceptance to the Graduate School. Each participating program may have additional requirements for application. The programmatic requirements for the Keck School of Medicine’s graduate programs are detailed in the Graduate Degree Programs section.
Further information about graduate degree programs at the Keck School of Medicine may be obtained by contacting: Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Keck School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal Avenue (KAM 409), Los Angeles, CA 90089-9023; (323) 442-1607, FAX: (323) 442-1199.