2008-2009 USC-Keck Secondary Application Thread

[Kuuaku]

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I interviewed 3/13 and no news yet. I guess this coming Friday would be six weeks for you. Hopefully there is a batch of letters out by the end of the week...and hopefully, my letter is in there too!!!! I know that may be wishful thinking but I'm very hopeful about this one 🙂 Please post when you get a letter!

I would figure you should be hearing soon. My acceptance was dated March 9 (I interviewed Feb 17), but the postmark was 3/23 so I understand the torture. Good luck!

 

[borninapotato85]

I <3 Keck. 🙂

 

[CreativeScience]

I just called the admissions office and no decision yet. My interview was 3/13, so I guess the 6 week estimate was more accurate. Darn -- I was hoping to get lucky like the 4-weekers! Please be a yes!

 

[ZeusonRoids]

So the past two nights I had my first dreams about medical school lol. Both of them were took place at Keck...maybe this means I should go here.

 

[DrQuack247]

Can someone remind me why Keck is a really good school? I'm trying to decide between this and a few other schools.

Even better, tell me why it's bad so that I can free a spot up for someone else.


Thanks

 

[pietachok]

Can someone remind me why Keck is a really good school? I'm trying to decide between this and a few other schools.

Even better, tell me why it's bad so that I can free a spot up for someone else.


Thanks

It might be easier to compare/contrast if you tell us what other schools you are considering. Someone may be able to tell you why they chose Keck versus one of those schools.

Some of the most important things to me may not matter at all to you:
-Urban schools in areas like Keck's offer much more exposure to more unique diseases and more extreme cases of disease. You effectively get a broader education from this (and from what your profs have seen of this). W/out getting into too many details of my work, I've realized how much of a benefit this is after my work in med schools at Manhattan. (Will you recognize TB or ricketts as easily after all schools?)

-Diverse patient populations--for me this is also an issue of maintaining my multilingualism. There are many teaching hospitals affiliated w/ USC, including LAC, but also including private hospitals, so you get the full spectrum of patients/experiences/cultures/diseases.

-Keck is well funded, so they listen to their students when changes are requested or complaints made...Keck supposedly responds quickly. Many public schools don't have the funding or the sense of obligation to respond to student concerns. So, something comes from paying that higher tuition...if you think the whole package of the school makes it worth the $. Also, they tend to have better resources b/c of the tuition--like # of students per cadaver, better professor accessibility,b/c they realize that you are paying for a service.

-Students seemed happier there than at most schools to me.

Downsides:
Obviously, the tuition...Different people consider this of different importance, and your own financial situation matters a lot. It's for you to weigh whether or not you think the $ are acceptable or not.

 

[Kuuaku]

Can someone remind me why Keck is a really good school? I'm trying to decide between this and a few other schools.

Even better, tell me why it's bad so that I can free a spot up for someone else.


Thanks

- Keck has available programs to match almost any medical student's interest including entire institutes devoted to preventive medicine, medical genetics, and comprehensive cancer care. Assessing whether a school has programs to match your intersets is probably a good place to start when deciding whether to attend.

- The new LAC+USC truly gives students hands-on experience with some of the most unique cases using the newest available technology.

- If numbers impress you, Keck's 2007 USMLE Step 1 AVERAGE is 233 (the US Avg was 220.4). That's AVERAGE, and was a direct result of changes in their curriculum, not just a smart student body. As a point of reference, according to the AAMC and the NRMP, the median Step 1 scores for successfully matched applicants in 2007 range from 208 (Psychiatry) to 243 (Plastic Surgery). I would say Keck's average is freaking off the heezy.

Downside: The school isn't located in the best of areas, but you can find places to live that are safe as well as close. Also, some students have said the school's disconnectedness from the main campus is a negative aspect, but I don't really see how that's an issue.

 

[n3opologist]

Can someone remind me why Keck is a really good school? I'm trying to decide between this and a few other schools.

Even better, tell me why it's bad so that I can free a spot up for someone else.


Thanks

You might find this interesting. My faculty interviewer at USC went to a UC for medical school and told me that he didn't think the cost of USC was worth it. He said if he got into one of the top 3 ranked UCs, he would take it. USC is great in so many of the ways people have listed above, but I haven't found one current practicing physician who says the cost is worth it, including my faculty interviewer and other USC grads.

 

[efitzpat]

You might find this interesting. My faculty interviewer at USC went to a UC for medical school and told me that he didn't think the cost of USC was worth it. He said if he got into one of the top 3 ranked UCs, he would take it. USC is great in so many of the ways people have listed above, but I haven't found one current practicing physician who says the cost is worth it, including my faculty interviewer and other USC grads.

I have to second this. I'm a USC undergrad and my doctor works at USC both in the student health center and as a professor at the medical school AND he graduated from Keck.
He says the cost isn't worth it

 

[BayAreaDude]

You might find this interesting. My faculty interviewer at USC went to a UC for medical school and told me that he didn't think the cost of USC was worth it. He said if he got into one of the top 3 ranked UCs, he would take it. USC is great in so many of the ways people have listed above, but I haven't found one current practicing physician who says the cost is worth it, including my faculty interviewer and other USC grads.

I have to second this. I'm a USC undergrad and my doctor works at USC both in the student health center and as a professor at the medical school AND he graduated from Keck.
He says the cost isn't worth it

I think Keck has dramatically changed since both of these physicians attended the medical school, including the acquisition of the USC University Hospital and the Norris Cancer Center, dramatic changes to the curriculum, and the opening of the new LAC+USC. According to the admissions, the University hospital (which serves a completely different base than the LAC+USC) will be available for teaching students as well.

Yes, the cost is a lot compared to a UC (most schools are more expensive than UCs). If it's JUST an issue of cost, of course any UC would win. But I would definitely disagree that the cost is not worth the unparalleled experience you would get at Keck compared to many UC med schools.

 

[efitzpat]

I think Keck has dramatically changed since both of these physicians attended the medical school, including the acquisition of the USC University Hospital and the Norris Cancer Center, dramatic changes to the curriculum, and the opening of the new LAC+USC. According to the admissions, the University hospital (which serves a completely different base than the LAC+USC) will be available for teaching students as well.

Yes, the cost is a lot compared to a UC (most schools are more expensive than UCs). If it's JUST an issue of cost, of course any UC would win. But I would definitely disagree that the cost is not worth the unparalleled experience you would get at Keck compared to many UC med schools.

Well the physician I was referencing currently teaches at Keck - so I'm sure he is familiar with the changes and what the school can offer students.

Yes, the school has changed a lot and its a good school, but it still costs a **** ton.

 

[neiborino]

I'm currently considering between USC and my state school, CU. Obviously, money is the one of the bigger factors I'm thinking about. Interestingly, although USC's tuition is about twice that of my state school, the average medical student debt is about the same. USC definitely ranks higher in my mind in every way aside from finances. So, at the end of the day, do I bet on my getting scholarships and grants and go to USC, or play it safe and stay at my state school? 😕

 

[JamesBond15]

I'm currently considering between USC and my state school, CU. Obviously, money is the one of the bigger factors I'm thinking about. Interestingly, although USC's tuition is about twice that of my state school, the average medical student debt is about the same. USC definitely ranks higher in my mind in every way aside from finances. So, at the end of the day, do I bet on my getting scholarships and grants and go to USC, or play it safe and stay at my state school? 😕

USC doesn't really give many scholarships/grants to the 1st and 2nd years as far as I understand. Cost is a huge factor, especially twice the cost. Can't forget the interest.

 

[bruin16]

I interviewed 3/3 and just found out that I am waitlisted. Does anyone know how many ppl got accepted off the waitlist last year?

Thanks!

 

[shezaah]

Got waitlisted with a letter on 4/10.

Is it possible to get rejected post interview from Keck? Or does everyone who is not accepted get waitlisted?

 

[mzchristee]

I interviewed 3/3 and just found out that I am waitlisted. Does anyone know how many ppl got accepted off the waitlist last year?

Thanks!

I am wondering the same question. I <3 Keck. I really want to get in.

 

[n3opologist]

USC doesn't really give many scholarships/grants to the 1st and 2nd years as far as I understand. Cost is a huge factor, especially twice the cost. Can't forget the interest.

Dean Quinn called me a few weeks back and told me that almost none of the students receive scholarship for the first and second years. She told me that USC likes to reward its high achieving students with merit scholarship in the 3rd and 4th year. Can you bank on that 3rd and 4th year scholarship? That's really hard to say.

And all the talk about USC taking better care of its students seems subjective and just a justification for those paying the higher tuition. The schools I'm considering all seem to take pretty good care of their students, so I don't see any advantage to USC in this department.

In terms of a killer clinical experience, Keck definitely seems the place to be, but I can't help but think whatever I'm lacking in clinical experience will be made up in residency. Plus, many medical students say that med school is what you make it, in terms of clinical exposure. Sure, Keck may integrate clinical experience better into the curriculum in the first 2 years, but that does not mean you can not get an equal or better clinical experience at another school by putting yourself out there. Thoughts?

 

[CreativeScience]

Got waitlisted with a letter on 4/10.

Is it possible to get rejected post interview from Keck? Or does everyone who is not accepted get waitlisted?

When did you interview?

I interviewed 3/13 and am on the edge of my sanity waiting for a letter. Keck is my top choice! I called last Thursday and they said a decision hadn't been made yet, so I may have to wait another week or two. Perhaps my letter will be in a different batch.

Has anyone gotten a decision that interviewed 3/9 or later? Does anyone know if there are still open spots left in the class, and if so, how many?

 

[iduwanna]

On the supplemental financial aid form, how many units do we say that we'll be taking?

Also, is there anyway to access the fax cover page?

Appreciate it.

 

[shezaah]

When did you interview?

I interviewed 3/13 and am on the edge of my sanity waiting for a letter. Keck is my top choice! I called last Thursday and they said a decision hadn't been made yet, so I may have to wait another week or two. Perhaps my letter will be in a different batch.

Has anyone gotten a decision that interviewed 3/9 or later? Does anyone know if there are still open spots left in the class, and if so, how many?

i interviewed 2/27. Exactly six weeks. They will wait until its almost six weeks before mailing out your letter. Thats just their protocol.

 

[pietachok]

On the supplemental financial aid form, how many units do we say that we'll be taking?

Also, is there anyway to access the fax cover page?

Appreciate it.

They said to check of 15+ units, and I couldn't get the fax cover page. I just faxed it with my own coverpage.

 

[iduwanna]

They said to check of 15+ units, and I couldn't get the fax cover page. I just faxed it with my own coverpage.

Thank you😍

 

[CreativeScience]

Does anyone know when AdComs meet? I heard Mondays...not sure if that's true.

Also, does anyone read this blog who interviewed the week of 3/9 - 3/13? If so, have you called this week about our status? I don't want to call again just yet because I called last Thursday.

 

[rgatt2]

For those who got waitlisted or accepted, what were your GPA and MCAT #s if you don't mind sharing?

I go to UCSD, CA resident, with cGPA ~3.5, and 35Q, typical EC's, volunteering, research. Do I have a chance with being waitlisted?

I wanted to know based on people actually posting in this thread (and applied). Thanks!

 

[Jfasten]

I doubt trading numbers will give you a better idea of your chances of getting off the waitlist. There seems to be little rhyme or reason to the whole process and, at this stage, I would guess it comes down more to qualitative elements like the interview, etc.

 

[Raryn]

Anyone able to find the financial aid forms online? The website seems to be broken.

I'm waitlisted, but I'd still like to get the forms in early if I can, just in case.

 

[mzchristee]

Anyone able to find the financial aid forms online? The website seems to be broken.

I'm waitlisted, but I'd still like to get the forms in early if I can, just in case.

not to freak you out. but you should definitely do them as soon as possible. I know usc usually wants you to have everything turned in before april 15.

http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/private/docs/0910/2009GRADSUP.pdf

thats the link for the supplemental app. though

good luck with the waitlist!

 

[CreativeScience]

This Friday will be 6 weeks since my interview and there is still "no decision." I called admissions today and they said it might be another two weeks or more! Oh no! This is so stressful.

It seems like most people on this thread got their decisions on time. Maybe they are falling behind at the end here. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

If I am going to be accepted I hope get a letter before May 1st so I could come to the re-visit!

I <3 Keck!!!!!

 

[anarchic hand]

Hi, I just came upon this thread.

I interviewed on 3/13 and haven't heard back either. The suspense is killing me.

 

[n3opologist]

Just opened a letter from Keck and............$100k scholarship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY ******* ****

 

[jehrdoc]

Wow, that is quite a sum of cash. Congrats! The only thing holding me back from USC is finances -- Did u get the $$ along with your financial aid package, or was it a separate deal?

 

[n3opologist]

Wow, that is quite a sum of cash. Congrats! The only thing holding me back from USC is finances -- Did u get the $$ along with your financial aid package, or was it a separate deal?

No, I haven't received my financial aid package yet. Have you? I doubt I'll get any need aid with that gift though.

Before this I had pretty much written off Keck, but now it's the apple of my eye.

 

[jehrdoc]

No, I haven't but apparently my financial file is now 'under review' (it never ends does it). Should hear within a week. I was under the impression that the free money came along with the strings-attached money.

 

[ZeusonRoids]

Just opened a letter from Keck and............$100k scholarship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY ******* ****

If I got that letter I would break down and start crying. I have not cried since I was 12 and got cut from my basketball team...I would totally cry and be in shock and fall on my knees and just cry. I am SOOO happy for you.

 

[n3opologist]

If I got that letter I would break down and start crying. I have not cried since I was 12 and got cut from my basketball team...I would totally cry and be in shock and fall on my knees and just cry. I am SOOO happy for you.

I know what you mean my friend. I didn't start bawling, but I had tears of joy. I'm going to the school tomorrow to see it again since I have little time to accept the offer. See you at 2nd Look?

 

[Penguick]

Congratulations n3pologist. Now you get to have some fun time making tough decisions.

 

[ZeusonRoids]

I know what you mean my friend. I didn't start bawling, but I had tears of joy. I'm going to the school tomorrow to see it again since I have little time to accept the offer. See you at 2nd Look?

You absolutely will see me at 2nd look

 

[oneandonlylo]

wow congrats!!

 

[DrQuack247]

I cant go to USC anymore because US News dropped them to 39. You can thank me for making a brilliant choice later waitlisters.

 

[anarchic hand]

I interviewed on 3/13. I called to day to check up on when they were sending out responses. The office said the letters for that "batch" have been mailed out, and I should receive mine within 5-10 days.

Gulp.

 

[CreativeScience]

I interviewed on 3/13. I called to day to check up on when they were sending out responses. The office said the letters for that "batch" have been mailed out, and I should receive mine within 5-10 days.

Gulp.

Holy crap! Thanks for the update! I am so nervous.

 

[august3]

Has anyone received their financial aid package? Or heard anything about when they'll be going out?

 

[ZeusonRoids]

Has anyone received their financial aid package? Or heard anything about when they'll be going out?

Nope...I hope they come out soon so I can see if I get to attend my favorite school.

Sorry...Had to post this video. the song goes through my head whenever I think of Keck/LA
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jp20gOwlS4[/YOUTUBE]

 

[pietachok]

Does anybody else see anything listed as received (even if not reviewed) if they log into the online financial aid document management system. I sent in my graduate supplemental form on Apr. 13th and I still don't see it up there, which concerns me.

 

[n3opologist]

Does anybody else see anything listed as received (even if not reviewed) if they log into the online financial aid document management system. I sent in my graduate supplemental form on Apr. 13th and I still don't see it up there, which concerns me.

Make sure you're looking under the 09-10 documents received, not 08-09. All my stuff says it has been received, so I don't know what to tell you. I'd call Jason from financial aid since he's really helpful and nice.

My financial aid award is up too.

 

[august3]

I have all of my shown as received also and I faxed mine around the same time (the 13th/14th), so you should definitely check into it.

N3opologist, how long did it take for yours to post from the time all of your paperwork was in?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know when the White Coat Ceremony is? I have a nagging feeling that it is August 14th, the same day as my brother's PhD graduation.

 

[n3opologist]

I have all of my shown as received also and I faxed mine around the same time (the 13th/14th), so you should definitely check into it.

N3opologist, how long did it take for yours to post from the time all of your paperwork was in?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know when the White Coat Ceremony is? I have a nagging feeling that it is August 14th, the same day as my brother's PhD graduation.

My last document was marked in yesterday. So, it really only took a day. They just started today though, so it's probably just random who they do first.

I believe it says somewhere in the google group that the White Coat Ceremony is August 14th. Sorry about that conflict. That's going to be hard for your family. Maybe that isn't final though?

 

[jrjayraw]

I interviewed on 3/13. I called to day to check up on when they were sending out responses. The office said the letters for that "batch" have been mailed out, and I should receive mine within 5-10 days.

Gulp.

Hey everyone! I have been following this thread and wanted to add additional info... I interviewed on april 1st and received an acceptance call from Dr. Quinn's office last night. I received the acceptance letter today and it was dated april 6th.

Susan Wong told me that they are calling people personally because of the limited time before the '2nd look' on May 1st. Sounded like they still had more calls to make, so, best of luck to everyone still waiting! Keep your cell phones turned on Monday! 🙂

 

[pietachok]

Hey everyone! I have been following this thread and wanted to add additional info... I interviewed on april 1st and received an acceptance call from Dr. Quinn's office last night. I received the acceptance letter today and it was dated april 6th.

Susan Wong told me that they are calling people personally because of the limited time before the '2nd look' on May 1st. Sounded like they still had more calls to make, so, best of luck to everyone still waiting! Keep your cell phones turned on Monday! 🙂

Congratulations!
Now you're going to have everybody who hasn't gotten a call convinced they've got a reject/waitlist in snail mail 🙁.
So I'll pre-emptively say that I bet it's taking them a long time to call everybody and keep everything organized and good luck to everybody who's still got their hopes on the line.

 

[CreativeScience]

Congratulations!
Now you're going to have everybody who hasn't gotten a call convinced they've got a reject/waitlist in snail mail 🙁.
So I'll pre-emptively say that I bet it's taking them a long time to call everybody and keep everything organized and good luck to everybody who's still got their hopes on the line.

Yes, that is exactly what happened. I interviewed 3 weeks before jrjayraw and my decision letter still hasn't come and, of course, no phone call either. Pietachok, I hope you're right, but I doubt it.