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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Los Angeles, CA, United StatesEstablished 1885Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions March 30
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Full guide

How to get into Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD)

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.

What makes it 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 neighborhood in East Los Angeles provides distinctive training in cultural competency and bilingual healthcare delivery. USC's global health program has strong ties to Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Curriculum integrates clinical skills from Year 1 with early patient contact. Global health and health equity tracks available. Clinical rotations at LAC+USC Medical Center, Keck Hospital of USC, Norris Cancer Hospital, and affiliated community health centers.

Research strengths

Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) has notable research strength in Cancer research, Global health, Organ transplantation, Infectious disease, Health equity.

Interview

Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) interviews via Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student).

Intake

Approximately 180 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1885, based in Los Angeles, CA. Programmes offered: Urban Medicine, Global Health, Oncology, Organ Transplantation, Community Health.

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
AAMC PREview
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

How Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional interviews (typically two one-on-one sessions with faculty and/or a student)
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
March 30
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.
Practice

Practise for your Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 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.

MediumPanelQ1

Surprise billing and the No Surprises Act

Before recent reform, many insured Americans received large 'surprise' medical bills, often from out-of-network providers they never chose, such as anesthesiologists or emergency physicians. The No Surprises Act took effect in 2022 to address this. Why is surprise billing a problem worth solving, and what does it reveal about the US system more broadly?

Likely follow-up · How does the No Surprises Act protect patients, and where do gaps remain?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
EasyPanelQ2

Specialty Curiosity: Choosing Primary Care

Primary care physicians are the backbone of the US healthcare system, yet they earn significantly less than specialists and their numbers are declining relative to demand. Many medical students choose specialties with better reimbursement and lifestyle. You have expressed a strong interest in primary care. How do you explain that choice to yourself and to others, and how do you think about the financial and personal trade-offs involved?

Likely follow-up · What features of the primary care physician role are most compelling to you, and which do you anticipate finding most challenging?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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MCAT Strategy

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FAQ

Keck School of Medicine of USC (MD) — frequently asked questions

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