Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, founded in 1885, is located in the Health Sciences campus in Los Angeles, adjacent to the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center — one of the busiest public hospitals in the United States. The school provides unparalleled training in high-volume, complex urban medicine, global health, and research. USC's location in Los Angeles provides a remarkably diverse clinical and research environment.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Research experience, clinical exposure, and community service expected. California residents may have modest advantage. Secondary application required.
MCAT median
517 (range 512–522)
GPA median
3.82 overall / 3.80 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.5%
Class size
180
In-state preference
None
In-state matriculants
81%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Urban medicine, diversity, global health, and commitment to underserved communities.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from Keck School of Medicine admissions data.
Specialities offered
Urban Medicine, Global Health, Oncology, Organ Transplantation, Community Health
Interview Format
How Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) interviews applicants.
Format
MMI (multiple stations)
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30
What makes Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) different
LAC+USC Medical Center is one of the busiest public hospitals in the United States — medical students are exposed to case volumes and clinical complexity rarely available at other schools. Keck's location in a Latino-majority neighbourhood in East Los Angeles provides distinctive training in cultural competency and bilingual healthcare delivery. USC's global health programme has strong ties to Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tutor insight
Keck's MMI reflects the school's urban, diverse mission — expect scenarios around cross-cultural communication, healthcare access, and social determinants of health. Clinical training at LAC+USC will be demanding but exceptionally broad; if you want to become a highly skilled clinician in complex, high-acuity settings, there are few better training environments. Demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for diverse urban communities in your essays — USC values candidates who are excited by the clinical environment on the East Side of Los Angeles rather than treating the location as an afterthought.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Hard·Panel · MMIQ1
US Healthcare Ethics: Opioid Prescription and the Chronic Pain Patient
A 47-year-old patient with chronic back pain has been on long-term opioid therapy. The 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline recommends tapering opioids to the lowest effective dose. Your patient is stable, functional, and reports no misuse, but your clinic has introduced a policy requiring all patients on long-term opioids to taper. She is distressed and feels abandoned. How do you navigate the tension between clinical guidelines, institutional policy, and your obligation to this individual patient?
Likely follow-up · What is the difference between physical dependence and opioid use disorder, and why does the distinction matter here?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Hard·MMI · PanelQ2
US Healthcare Ethics: End-of-Life Care and the POLST Framework
An 82-year-old patient with advanced heart failure and mild cognitive decline has completed a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form indicating she does not want CPR or mechanical ventilation. She is brought to the emergency department by her adult son, who insists the team 'do everything.' The patient is conscious enough to confirm she remembers signing the POLST but seems uncertain and frightened. The son says his mother did not understand what she was signing. What ethical principles are in tension here, and how should the care team proceed?
Likely follow-up · How does a POLST differ from an advance directive, and which takes legal precedence in most US states?
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Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Research experience, clinical exposure, and community service expected. California residents may have modest advantage. Secondary application required.
MMI (multiple stations)
Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released March 30.
LAC+USC Medical Center is one of the busiest public hospitals in the United States — medical students are exposed to case volumes and clinical complexity rarely available at other schools. Keck's location in a Latino-majority neighbourhood in East Los Angeles provides distinctive training in cultural competency and bilingual healthcare delivery. USC's global health programme has strong ties to Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
