2008-2009 USC-Keck Secondary Application Thread

[202781]

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just a heads up, maybe no news was good news. three interview dates left, with the last one in april and offers are still going out!.!

ps - i always had turtles growing up, with my favorite being mr. turtle (who happened to be a female).

P.S. If you were a female I would be in 😍. I don't only like turtles, I LOVE turtles. I am IN love with turtles. Mr. Turtle sounds freaking hoTT

 

[Kuuaku]

Do anyone know how often adcoms meet at USC? It seems like they tell everyone who interviews that decisions will be made in 6 weeks (which is what they told me when I interviewed in mid-Feburary), but that can't be the case for everyone right? Seems like a lot of people are hearing within 4.

 

[pietachok]

Do anyone know how often adcoms meet at USC? It seems like they tell everyone who interviews that decisions will be made in 6 weeks (which is what they told me when I interviewed in mid-Feburary), but that can't be the case for everyone right? Seems like a lot of people are hearing within 4.

Some people do hear quicker, but I heard in exactly 42 days...no sooner than 6 weeks. It was torturesome. I don't know what the difference was...it was difficult. But ultimately, an acceptance is an acceptance.😳

 

[oneandonlylo]

looks like this will be my home for the next 4 years 🙂

 

[202781]

looks like this will be my home for the next 4 years 🙂

Congratz oneandonlylo, that is awesome. We may very well be classmates next year.

 

[halekulani]

just a heads up, maybe no news was good news. three interview dates left, with the last one in april and offers are still going out!.!

ps - i always had turtles growing up, with my favorite being mr. turtle (who happened to be a female).

ahhhh

i hope they send me one

 

[CreativeScience]

just a heads up, maybe no news was good news. three interview dates left, with the last one in april and offers are still going out!.!

Do you know what the remaining dates are? I got an invite on Friday afternoon (sooooo excited!), but I'm having trouble scheduling online. Good luck.

 

[pietachok]

looks like this will be my home for the next 4 years 🙂

Really, oneandonly? The decision is already made up for you? You have other excellent offers.

 

[oneandonlylo]

thanks pietachok... the decision is driven by a number of factors, most of which surround my husband's ability to find employment in his chosen field (Space Law)... and he's from LA. I'm from NY, but I wasn't actually a huge fan of NYU so... we'll see 🙂

sankondbest, will you be at second look?

 

[DrQuack247]

thanks pietachok... the decision is driven by a number of factors, most of which surround my husband's ability to find employment in his chosen field (Space Law)... and he's from LA. I'm from NY, but I wasn't actually a huge fan of NYU so... we'll see 🙂

sankondbest, will you be at second look?

Suze Orman would tell you to go to the best possible med school and worry about YOUR career first.

and Suze's always correct.

yet again she doesnt recommend a 22 year old's parents to help out with their childs medical school expenses because the child will be making more than enough in the future to pay it off....


OMG OMG I LUV SUZE!!!

 

[202781]

thanks pietachok... the decision is driven by a number of factors, most of which surround my husband's ability to find employment in his chosen field (Space Law)... and he's from LA. I'm from NY, but I wasn't actually a huge fan of NYU so... we'll see 🙂

sankondbest, will you be at second look?

Space Law...well that sounds AWESOME!!! God I would love to use that in some sort of pickup line "Yeah I am a space lawyer NBD though"

Cool

I might go to 2nd look depending on the financial aid packages I get from my schools

 

[n3opologist]

I might go to 2nd look depending on the financial aid packages I get from my schools

Have you already received your financial aid package from USC?

 

[202781]

Have you already received your financial aid package from USC?

Nope...and I am not expecting anything other than loans from USC...if one of my other schools gives me a good deal, I may just go to that school. $300,000 in debt (before interest) is a whole lot.

 

[n3opologist]

Nope...and I am not expecting anything other than loans from USC...if one of my other schools gives me a good deal, I may just go to that school. $300,000 in debt (before interest) is a whole lot.

I hear yah. I just spoke with someone at Keck regarding scholarship, and she said that all those decisions will be coming out from now until July. We have to make school decisions well before that though! She said unlike other schools who negotiate price depending on your acceptances at other schools, USC doesn't care where else you are accepted. She said most merit scholarships are 25k a year but very few people receive them.

How the heck does 20% of the class NOT receive any type of financial aid including loans. 20% of the class must be pretty loaded!

 

[silverhorse84]

I hear yah. I just spoke with someone at Keck regarding scholarship, and she said that all those decisions will be coming out from now until July. We have to make school decisions well before that though! She said unlike other schools who negotiate price depending on your acceptances at other schools, USC doesn't care where else you are accepted. She said most merit scholarships are 25k a year but very few people receive them.

How the heck does 20% of the class NOT receive any type of financial aid including loans. 20% of the class must be pretty loaded!

Well, USC is one of the schools loaded people are attracted to...

Also, I believe technically people like me are included in that 20%. I won't have any financial aid or loans from the school because I'm an HPSPer - i.e. the Navy is paying for it. 😛

 

[lovemed04]

Does anyone know if interview invites are done being sent out??? I hate having to wait so long to hear one way or another... I wish they would send out early rejections like so many other schools

 

[pietachok]

How the heck does 20% of the class NOT receive any type of financial aid including loans. 20% of the class must be pretty loaded!

1) It wouldn't necessarily account for every single arrangement in which a 3rd party (like the military) is paying for the education.

2) Avg age of enrollment is closer to 26, so plenty of us are pushing 30 when we start...we may not be loaded, but we may have had several years to work & save $; we may have a spouse who will be working and paying 50% while parents paying the other 50%...etc. None of which account for being loaded, unfortunately...it just means we'll live without while *in* school instead of while paying off loans. USC is very understanding of non-traditional applicants, so there are many of us coming in with life situations far different from those who are fresh out of college.

3) Even the applicants who are fortunate enough to not need *any* financial aid aren't necessarily "loaded"...if I didn't talk some reason into my mother, I think she'd eat ramen noodles and sell her home to put me through med school, b/c some people make odd choices just to avoid their kids being idebted. My parents only finished paying off their loans when I was about 17, and the thought of that happening to me scares the **** out of her.

 

[Arpan5145]

Does anyone know if interview invites are done being sent out??? I hate having to wait so long to hear one way or another... I wish they would send out early rejections like so many other schools

on the phone one of the ladies said if you haven't heard anything by march 20th, its probably over... 10 days left... time is running out on us.. cmonnn usc!

 

[PWP]

Well, USC is one of the schools loaded people are attracted to...

Also, I believe technically people like me are included in that 20%. I won't have any financial aid or loans from the school because I'm an HPSPer - i.e. the Navy is paying for it. 😛

Hey silverhorse...when did you hear back from the Navy about your HPSP. I'm going for the Air Force HPSP and I wonder how long it takes once your scholarship app is complete. The board meets end of march i believe.

 

[n3opologist]

If your parents can give you 50%, which for SC ends up being around 130-150k, you are VERY well to do. I consider myself middle class, so I guess this is a perspective issue. My parents aren't giving me anything, so 130K seems like a lot of money. Considering the current economic situation, you don't think 130k liquid is a lot of money?

Your parents ONLY finished paying off their loans when you were 17? Most peoples parents have mortgages for 30 years! Or maybe you were just referring to student loans?

In reality, part of the 80% that does receive aid could be loaded too. If you have the ability to take out a subsidized loan (8.5k/year) why wouldn't you? You'd at least gain interest on your own money in the bank during the 4 years.

Paying for medical school is just another great example where the middle class gets stuck with the most debt and carries the brunt of things.

1) It wouldn't necessarily account for every single arrangement in which a 3rd party (like the military) is paying for the education.

2) Avg age of enrollment is closer to 26, so plenty of us are pushing 30 when we start...we may not be loaded, but we may have had several years to work & save $; we may have a spouse who will be working and paying 50% while parents paying the other 50%...etc. None of which account for being loaded, unfortunately...it just means we'll live without while *in* school instead of while paying off loans. USC is very understanding of non-traditional applicants, so there are many of us coming in with life situations far different from those who are fresh out of college.

3) Even the applicants who are fortunate enough to not need *any* financial aid aren't necessarily "loaded"...if I didn't talk some reason into my mother, I think she'd eat ramen noodles and sell her home to put me through med school, b/c some people make odd choices just to avoid their kids being idebted. My parents only finished paying off their loans when I was about 17, and the thought of that happening to me scares the **** out of her.

 

[hello there]

on the phone one of the ladies said if you haven't heard anything by march 20th, its probably over... 10 days left... time is running out on us.. cmonnn usc!

copy that! my app has been complete since december but i haven't heard a peep (i acknowledge that this may be due to the fact that i sent my secondary in very close to the deadline). i still love sc and would really love an interview there. i asked the admissions office if they accept any extra info (updates/LOIs) pre-interview, but they said no. i'm wondering if this is a "no, absolutely not, if you send it, we will reciprocate with an immediate rejection" or "no, but hey its not a hard and fast rule, if you want, i guess you can, we may not read it, but it could potentially help." i kind of figure that i may not get an interview since i sent my secondary in so late, and if thats the case, then an update letter really couldn't hurt. but i don't want to piss them off either, just in case there is that really, really small chance that i could still get an interview invite at this point. i would really appreciate more input on this, so please, fire away 🙂

and, last but not least, congrats to those who have been accepted here. Go Trojans! 🙂

 

[pietachok]

No, my parents finished paying off their student loans when I was about 17.

When push has come to shove, however, I kept my living expenses at 14k/yr when my fiance was in grad school, and actually saved money while making 60k/yr in NYC. I would have been financially capable of contributing 20k+ to his education if asked to do so...and by no means is someone making 60k/yr considered well to do in Manhattan--you can't even rent a studio rat hole without a guarantor at that salary.

If your parents can give you 50%, which for SC ends up being around 130-150k, you are VERY well to do. I consider myself middle class, so I guess this is a perspective issue. My parents aren't giving me anything, so 130K seems like a lot of money. Considering the current economic situation, you don't think 130k liquid is a lot of money?

Your parents ONLY finished paying off their loans when you were 17? Most peoples parents have mortgages for 30 years! Or maybe you were just referring to student loans?

In reality, part of the 80% that does receive aid could be loaded too. If you have the ability to take out a subsidized loan (8.5k/year) why wouldn't you? You'd at least gain interest on your own money in the bank during the 4 years.

Paying for medical school is just another great example where the middle class gets stuck with the most debt and carries the brunt of things.

 

[onthevirge]

copy that! my app has been complete since december but i haven't heard a peep (i acknowledge that this may be due to the fact that i sent my secondary in very close to the deadline). i still love sc and would really love an interview there. i asked the admissions office if they accept any extra info (updates/LOIs) pre-interview, but they said no. i'm wondering if this is a "no, absolutely not, if you send it, we will reciprocate with an immediate rejection" or "no, but hey its not a hard and fast rule, if you want, i guess you can, we may not read it, but it could potentially help." i kind of figure that i may not get an interview since i sent my secondary in so late, and if thats the case, then an update letter really couldn't hurt. but i don't want to piss them off either, just in case there is that really, really small chance that i could still get an interview invite at this point. i would really appreciate more input on this, so please, fire away 🙂

and, last but not least, congrats to those who have been accepted here. Go Trojans! 🙂

as far as the update letter is considered, my guess is that the school simply ignores the letter. I sent an update to the school about a month after my secondary was complete. i forgot that the school doesn't accept updates ... and it didn't hurt my chances (i got an interview). so i guess that they simply throw out the letter; i highly doubt that they consider it for anything much less read it (i imagine that they're inundated with work at this point).

at this point, though, i'm not sure if it'll help (see the inundation comment above). the schools know if you've been accepted anywhere yet (i believe the database opens in early Feb), so you also have that dynamic working with/against you (if they bother to look at the AAMC registry).

if it'll help, though, here's a large dose of good luck!

 

[theoc47]

Congrats to all that have been accepted. To those who are WL'd, I feel your pain..
Anybody can provide waitlisted folks who desperately love Keck with some info on what to do to hopefully get off the waitlist?

thanks a bunch

 

[silverhorse84]

Hey silverhorse...when did you hear back from the Navy about your HPSP. I'm going for the Air Force HPSP and I wonder how long it takes once your scholarship app is complete. The board meets end of march i believe.

I'm not complete yet. I'm still working on getting medically cleared. I have been medically cleared for USUHS, but getting that to translate to HPSP has been harder than I thought. Basically getting the government's right hand to talk to the left hand is really difficult! 😛

Good luck!

 

[ymack]

Does anyone know if interview invites are done being sent out??? I hate having to wait so long to hear one way or another... I wish they would send out early rejections like so many other schools

I just got an interview invite late last night. Schedule says they will be interviewing the 20th (my interview) and the 27th. Keep hope alive!👍

 

[hello there]

as far as the update letter is considered, my guess is that the school simply ignores the letter. I sent an update to the school about a month after my secondary was complete. i forgot that the school doesn't accept updates ... and it didn't hurt my chances (i got an interview). so i guess that they simply throw out the letter; i highly doubt that they consider it for anything much less read it (i imagine that they're inundated with work at this point).

at this point, though, i'm not sure if it'll help (see the inundation comment above). the schools know if you've been accepted anywhere yet (i believe the database opens in early Feb), so you also have that dynamic working with/against you (if they bother to look at the AAMC registry).

if it'll help, though, here's a large dose of good luck!

thanks for the dose of luck!! i can definitely use it! thanks for your input on the letter- i agree with you. in terms of the AAMC registry thing with the acceptances- that doesn't really apply to me as I havent received any acceptances yet, unfortunately. so i guess it's neither working for nor against me. thanks for your input (and dose of luck), again!

Congrats to all that have been accepted. To those who are WL'd, I feel your pain..
Anybody can provide waitlisted folks who desperately love Keck with some info on what to do to hopefully get off the waitlist?

thanks a bunch

copy that!

I just got an interview invite late last night. Schedule says they will be interviewing the 20th (my interview) and the 27th. Keep hope alive!👍

Congrats!!! if i may ask, when did you send your secondary in? did you send them or do anything extra since then, and, would you happen to have any advice for those of us still waiting for an interview invite?

 

[CreativeScience]

I had my interview today. It was great! Loved the school, loved the campus, the people, and all of the opportunities there. Definitely the nicest admissions office. Great lunch, and yes...interesting but good ketchup.

My fingers will be crossed as I wait these next six weeks. Did anyone get a decision any sooner than that, or is six weeks an accurate estimate?

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

When is there last day of interviews?!? Would've love to go back out to Cali.... Maybe for residency.

 

[bobdogsam43]

I had my interview today. It was great! Loved the school, loved the campus, the people, and all of the opportunities there. Definitely the nicest admissions office. Great lunch, and yes...interesting but good ketchup.

My fingers will be crossed as I wait these next six weeks. Did anyone get a decision any sooner than that, or is six weeks an accurate estimate?

almost 4 weeks on the dot

 

[ymack]

HELLO THERE,

I applied late so I sumbitted my secondary in mid Nov. Didn't submit anything new. Thought they had forgot about me and had given up hope. Just know there are two interview dates in march (20th/27th) so just hope for those. I'm not sure if they have dates in April. Don't worry, just pray about it if you really want USC!

 

[fizzle]

HELLO THERE,

I applied late so I sumbitted my secondary in mid Nov. Didn't submit anything new. Thought they had forgot about me and had given up hope. Just know there are two interview dates in march (20th/27th) so just hope for those. I'm not sure if they have dates in April. Don't worry, just pray about it if you really want USC!

Congratulations!

 

[onthevirge]

Hello -- Does anyone know Keck's policy on matriculation deferment? Is a personal hardship required (eg. is research for 1 yr off the table)?

 

[jrjayraw]

When is there last day of interviews?!? Would've love to go back out to Cali.... Maybe for residency.

The last day for interviews i believe is April 1. It was the only date available a couple weeks ago when I got the invite, so that is when I'll be interviewing.

Side note: I was told when I called the ad office that even on April 1 there should still be a few spots avail. So, best of luck to everyone still hoping for an interview!

btw, i was very late submitting to USC

 

[DrWookie]

Hello -- Does anyone know Keck's policy on matriculation deferment? Is a personal hardship required (eg. is research for 1 yr off the table)?

While I don't know about defering for research, when I visited I talked to the admissions department a lot about research and they said the school is very open to people who take a year off DURING medical school for some research (or a year after they graduate).

 

[ZeusonRoids]

Are people really going to graduate from Keck with close to $300k in debt...or does the school give out aid (free money, scholarships) to "normal" (white, middle class, male) students who will be paying for school through 100% loans. Maybe after the first couple years. I don't understand how the average debt after graduation can only be 150,000 or so if they do not count people with military scholarships or people who have parents who pay the whole way. Are there really a significant number of people out there that can afford to pay 100K+ while they are in school?

I ask because I think I will start medical school with less than $5,000 to my name (and I am getting 0% help from my parents)

 

[n3opologist]

Are people really going to graduate from Keck with close to $300k in debt...or does the school give out aid (free money, scholarships) to "normal" (white, middle class, male) students who will be paying for school through 100% loans. Maybe after the first couple years. I don't understand how the average debt after graduation can only be 150,000 or so if they do not count people with military scholarships or people who have parents who pay the whole way. Are there really a significant number of people out there that can afford to pay 100K+ while they are in school?

I ask because I think I will start medical school with less than $5,000 to my name (and I am getting 0% help from my parents)

I've been pondering this same question lately, as I am in your same situation.

This is straight from the USNews website: "Average indebtedness for 2006 graduates who incurred medical school debt $142,960."

Since they say "for graduates who incurred medical school debt," I assume they don't mean military scholarships. I have no idea how the figure isn't higher. They have to give out something...or there are a lot of people who graduate with around 10-50k of debt and that balances the 200k+ people. I'd like to see the median!

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

I've been pondering this same question lately, as I am in your same situation.

This is straight from the USNews website: "Average indebtedness for 2006 graduates who incurred medical school debt $142,960."

Since they say "for graduates who incurred medical school debt," I assume they don't mean military scholarships. I have no idea how the figure isn't higher. They have to give out something...or there are a lot of people who graduate with around 10-50k of debt and that balances the 200k+ people. I'd like to see the median!

I think it is a reported median when they report the average. (Just like average home prices are generally medians). At least, from what I was told from a schools Financial Aid Counselor....

 

[ZeusonRoids]

I think it is a reported median when they report the average. (Just like average home prices are generally medians). At least, from what I was told from a schools Financial Aid Counselor....

I really need to pee.

I was looking at the pamphlet that had the Keck scholarships on it and it looked as though they only gave out about 20/year (only for M3 and M4 years though) and you need to be interested in a certain specialty or be a URM...which I technically am but only sorta and not really (I am 25% "hispanic" because my Grandma comes from Spain or whatever...but did not mark this on my AMCAS...is there a way to tell USC that "oops forgot that I was URM?")

 

[halekulani]

dammit keck send me an invite

you know you want to :[

 

[disorder]

dammit keck send me an invite

you know you want to :[

that makes two of us.

 

[qmcat]

i wish they would either invite me or reject me pre-interview already. i need to figure out soon if i have to register for molecular bio next quarter. 🙁

 

[talbo]

Make it four haha 🙁

 

[JamesBond15]

Did anyone who interview in the beginning of Feb hear back yet?

 

[hello there]

HELLO THERE,

I applied late so I sumbitted my secondary in mid Nov. Didn't submit anything new. Thought they had forgot about me and had given up hope. Just know there are two interview dates in march (20th/27th) so just hope for those. I'm not sure if they have dates in April. Don't worry, just pray about it if you really want USC!

thanks very much for your input 🙂 congrats to you!!

 

[greenebuddy]

I really need to pee.

I was looking at the pamphlet that had the Keck scholarships on it and it looked as though they only gave out about 20/year (only for M3 and M4 years though) and you need to be interested in a certain specialty or be a URM...which I technically am but only sorta and not really (I am 25% "hispanic" because my Grandma comes from Spain or whatever...but did not mark this on my AMCAS...is there a way to tell USC that "oops forgot that I was URM?")

I can't believe you forgot! URM is like gold in your pocket, you know there are a lot of scholarships out there that are not done through USC and I am sure Keck would love to add another URM to thier lists of statistics.

 

[DrWookie]

I can't believe you forgot! URM is like gold in your pocket, you know there are a lot of scholarships out there that are not done through USC and I am sure Keck would love to add another URM to thier lists of statistics.

Does 25% hispanic really count as URM? I don't really know how they judge that sort of thing (I admit it is a hard thing to judge).

 

[xoLissaLuvsU]

Make it four haha 🙁

Five

 

[Raryn]

25% hispanic would, but for purposes related to med school admissions, people from Spain itself aren't "hispanic."

 

[vbdoc77]

Did anyone who interview in the beginning of Feb hear back yet?

I interviewed the first week of February and haven't heard back yet. They said it should be in the next couple of days though...