Admissions Information

AMCAS Application

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. Visit AMCAS to find application materials, fee information, required supporting documents and instructions on completing the centralized medical school application.

Students should submit AMCAS materials as early as possible to avoid processing delays and missed deadlines. Materials received during peak periods may take considerably longer to process. Processing does not begin until AMCAS receives all required official transcripts and the completed application. Note that official transcripts for applicants must be received within 14 calendar days of the AMCAS primary application deadline. Applications missing information and/or supporting documentation and returned to the applicant for correction may not satisfy deadline requirements.

AMCAS Application Deadline: November 1 (if November 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day)

Official transcripts must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the November 1 primary application deadline for the applicant to be considered.

Supplemental Application

Upon receipt of a candidate’s verified AMCAS application and MCAT score, the Office of Admissions will invite applicants to complete a supplemental application.  Students must submit an application processing fee of $100 with the supplemental application. Credit card payments can be made online using USC’s Admissions System. 

In the event that payment cannot be made by credit card, please make checks* payable to:

Keck School of Medicine of USC
Office of MD Admissions
1975 Zonal Ave., KAM 104
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9020

Applicants must include their AMCAS ID number on the check. Application fee payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.

*Payments made by check must be received by the admissions office by the deadline.

For more information about MD/PhD applications, click here.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

To be considered for admission, applicants to the 2023 entering medical school class; must have taken the MCAT no earlier than January 1, 2020, and no later than September 30, 2022.

All MCAT scores that meet the above criteria are visible to the Admissions Committee and taken into consideration.

Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

The Keck School of Medicine of USC participates in the AMCAS Letter of Recommendation Service. A committee letter is sufficient. Alternatively, 2 or 3 letters from professors, PI’s or work experience are acceptable. Do not send more than 3 letters! Applicants are required to send their letters through AMCAS. DO NOT send any letters of recommendation to the Office of Admissions, as they will not be accepted.

Keck School Supplemental Application Deadline: December 1 (if December 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applications are subject to review immediately upon submission. Post-submission updates or revisions are not allowed.

Application Fee Payments and/or Fee Waivers

The application fee waiver will be granted ONLY to applicants who received approval from the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP).

Admissions and Matriculation Policies

  • 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 is August through March.
  • September 30: Valid MCAT dates for matriculation in 2023 are January 1, 2020 – September 30, 2022.
  • Oct. 15: Offers of admission are made beginning on Oct 15, and continue to be made on a rolling basis.
    All matriculating students must certify in writing prior to matriculation that they have read and meet the Essential Standards Policy as outlined here
  • Nov. 1: AMCAS Application Deadline (if Novemebr 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day).
  • Dec. 1: Keck School Supplemental Application Deadline (if December 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day).
  • January: Applicants may begin to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and other financial need applications.
  • February 19: “Plan to Enroll” option becomes available for Accepted Applicants in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool.
  • April 30: Applicants must “Plan to Enroll” on the AMCAS Choose your Medical School Tool on April 30. The “Commit to Enroll” option also becomes available on the Choose Your Medical School Tool . The “Commit to Enroll” action may be entered from April 30-July 7. Applicants also submit decisions directly to the Admissions Office.
  • July 7: “Commit to Enroll” Deadline.
  • August: Orientation and first week of classes begin for entering class.

Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university in the U.S. prior to matriculation. The school has no specific course requirements, although Spanish and statistics are recommended. 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. Please see the MSAR for recommended coursework (Spanish and statistics). Please discuss any coursework preparation with your pre-health advisor. If you do not have a pre-health advisor, the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions provides advising free of charge. Due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are not able to provide individualized admissions counseling.

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

Please see the USC Student Health Center for information on Health Clearance Requirements for incoming students.

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. International applicants who have been invited to interview will be asked at that time to submit an evaluation of their transcripts. Please do not send transcript evaluation materials unless you are specifically asked to do so by our office.

Please see financial information for international students.

Admission with advanced standing is only allowed for those candidates admitted through the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Program Advanced Specialty Certificate Program offered in conjunction with the Ostrow School of Dentistry. KSOM does not accept transfer students.