MD students practice their clinical skills in simulation lab.
Keck School of Medicine of USC

MD Program

Application Information

Equity, Compassion,
Service, And Excellence

MD students at the Keck School of Medicine of USC receive an education that uniquely emphasizes equity, compassion and service. Located in one of the world’s most diverse settings, students engage with patients from different backgrounds, participate in research that represents the broader population, and provide patients cutting edge care. There is no better place to develop the clinical skills and human compassion that will change medicine in the 21st century.

The Physician-Citizen-Scholar Curriculum

The Keck School of Medicine’s innovative curriculum trains medical students to become outstanding doctors, skilled researchers and agents of social justice and health equity. Students are immersed in clinical settings early in their education while building on their knowledge of biomedical sciences.

Learn more about the MD Program curriculum
Keck School of Medicine faculty member instructs MD Program students

Primary Care Program Pathway

The Keck School of Medicine Primary Care Program (PCP) is a four-year educational track designed to train and support primary care-focused medical students interested in working with vulnerable communities. In addition to completing the regular medical school curriculum, PCP students participate in extra didactic sessions and activities. This includes: hands-on procedural skills training, community outreach, nutrition, exercise, and healthy cooking service learning, interprofessional collaborative practice training, primary care focused leadership and research training, and foundational education on the health needs of older adults.  Students get early exposure to community-based clinics and work longitudinally with primary care doctors and their teams to provide care to urban, underserved communities. PCP students receive ongoing mentorship from primary care faculty. They bond with peers as part of a community dedicated to providing excellent, equitable,and compassionate care for all as they prepare to become leaders in primary care.

To learn more about the Primary Care Program Pathway

Primary Care Students in Action

Patient taking a test
PCP Training
Keck student holding a bowl with liquid in it.
Keck students volunteering
Student examining a patient

Interprofessional geriatric team on a home visit with older adults

Patient taking a test

Suturing workshop

PCP Training

Nutrition classes at the LA General Hospital Wellness Center

Keck student holding a bowl with liquid in it.

Community service work at the LA Mission

Keck students volunteering

Working in a primary care community clinic

Student examining a patient

Primary care introduction to clinical medicine student team

Premier Clinical Training

Doctor of Medicine students start interacting with patients in their very first weeks. From Los Angeles General Medical Center’s safety net setting to Keck Medicine’s state-of-the-art private hospitals and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, our students receive comprehensive training that prepares them to work in diverse environments.

Exterior shot of Los Angeles General Medical Center, formerly LAC+USC.

Los Angeles General Medical Center

Exterior of Keck Hospital of USC on the USC Health Sciences Campus.

Keck Hospital of USC

Exterior shot of Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Featured Video

Medical Education at the Keck School of Medicine of USC

Hear firsthand from students, trainees and faculty about the medical education experience at the Keck School of Medicine. See how early immersion in clinical settings, advanced research and teaching tools plus a mission-driven approach to care produce a special kind of physician — one ready to take on the toughest challenges in health in the 21st century.

Keck School of Medicine physicians perform surgery.

Committed to Student Research

MD students have access to research opportunities through partnerships with institutions such as the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, and many more. Medical student research programs play a crucial role in connecting students with faculty mentors whose work aligns with their research interests.

Find MD student research opportunities
An MD student conducting research.

Matched With Success

The hard work and dedication of our students, along with the unwavering support of our faculty and staff, has resulted in an impressive 97.5% residency match rate for the Class of 2023.

Map of California coast with colorful pins placed in major destinations.

Match Day by the Numbers

In 2023, 160 Keck School MD graduates matched with post-graduate training programs in 22 states. Of those, 65% were in California and 14 were in New York.

Colorful bar chart relating to top specialties of matching MD program students.

Top Specialties

Last year, the top specialties of matching MD Program graduates were Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and General Surgery.

MD program students hug in celebration on Match Day at Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Exceptional Match Rate

The Keck School MD Program Class of 2023 enjoyed an impressive match rate of 97.5%, placing the school among the top performing medical schools in the nation.

Innovative Admissions

The Keck School of Medicine is widely recognized for its innovative admissions practices. The American Medical Student Association has designated the Keck School as a ‘Model Medical School’ for our admissions philosophy, dedication to promoting diversity in our student body, and robust student support programs.

Explore Admission to the Keck School of Medicine MD Program
Excited student got her acceptance letter to Keck School of Medicine MD program.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC medical education program is accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME). Information regarding KSOM’s accreditation status can be verified by contacting the LCME Secretariat.

https://lcme.org | lcme@aamc.org