2011-2012 University of Southern California (Keck) Application Thread

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tartrate said:
Wow, these are some pretty interesting questions. Certainly not the typical questions you see year after year at some places. Also props to all the schools taking up the new MMI format!
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What's MMI?

also.... I dont know what I'd change about the med school application process!!! Too many essays?? Too expensive?
 
daemon14 said:
Is there a place to see a printout/pdf of our application before submitting it? I just want to make sure things are formatted correctly (I've had to change some things after seeing other secondary printouts).
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I don't remember there being a printout/pdf to view before submitting, but I looked at it right now and everything seems to be formatted just as I had entered it
 
For the shorty job question, I wonder if it would be better to write about a fantasy job or what you would realistically do...
 
I spent a couple of sentences talking about the realistic alternative and then another couple talking about my fantasy.
 
Just got mine yesterday. I submitted 6/28 and was verified 7/21
 
You guys think USC screen based on GPA/MCAT? Because I am putting in A LOT of effort in these essays and I would be pretty mad if they didn't bother to read them carefully.
 
medschool2016 said:
You guys think USC screen based on GPA/MCAT? Because I am putting in A LOT of effort in these essays and I would be pretty mad if they didn't bother to read them carefully.
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They might to some extent, but my undergrad GPA was pretty, ahem, unimpressive and I'll be starting school there in two weeks! 🙂 I'm pretty sure they have a very low GPA filter, if any at all.
 
DaisyBuchanan said:
They might to some extent, but my undergrad GPA was pretty, ahem, unimpressive and I'll be starting school there in two weeks! 🙂 I'm pretty sure they have a very low GPA filter, if any at all.
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Do you mind if I ask what it was? I am getting pretty antsy about my mediocre 3.57 cGPA... I will definitely ace my next two semesters, so by the time I matriculate, my GPA will be much higher, but my science GPA is pretty much locked in. Also, how did you do on your MCAT? What was it in your application that you think made up for your GPA?

I have been drooling all over USC's webpage, the medical school seems incredible and I would love to go there.
 
rockafella12 said:
Do you mind if I ask what it was? I am getting pretty antsy about my mediocre 3.57 cGPA... I will definitely ace my next two semesters, so by the time I matriculate, my GPA will be much higher, but my science GPA is pretty much locked in. Also, how did you do on your MCAT? What was it in your application that you think made up for your GPA?

I have been drooling all over USC's webpage, the medical school seems incredible and I would love to go there.
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I'll just say it was ... lower than 3.57. USC seems to be more focused on the type of person you are and if you bring the attributes they want while seeming able to keep up with the workload of medical school. (No, I don't know the attributes they want, sorry)

My MCAT was a couple points above their average, so that probably helped balance my GPA. I would say that my research and tons of leadership helped me, but then I also met a bunch of kids at my interview with very little interest in research, so I don't think it's something that USC necessarily wants to see in every applicant.

Feel free to PM me if you guys have more questions. Good luck and maybe I'll be seeing some of you once interviews start! :luck:
 
DaisyBuchanan said:
I'll just say it was ... lower than 3.57. USC seems to be more focused on the type of person you are and if you bring the attributes they want while seeming able to keep up with the workload of medical school. (No, I don't know the attributes they want, sorry)

My MCAT was a couple points above their average, so that probably helped balance my GPA. I would say that my research and tons of leadership helped me, but then I also met a bunch of kids at my interview with very little interest in research, so I don't think it's something that USC necessarily wants to see in every applicant.

Feel free to PM me if you guys have more questions. Good luck and maybe I'll be seeing some of you once interviews start! :luck:
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when does USC start sending out interview invites?
 
kautionwirez said:
when does USC start sending out interview invites?
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I think they traditionally start a little later than other private schools. It's really hard to say though because they made some changes this year in admissions (the new, more interesting secondary questions are a reflection of this).
 
I'll be starting at Keck in less than 2 weeks, and wanted to first of, wish everyone the best of luck in this process, and second to let people know of a very interesting program that mixes engineering with medicine at USC called Health Technology and Engineering (HTE). Be sure to check it out if you are interested in medical equipment development and the like.
Here is the link for anyone who is interested:
http://hte.usc.edu/
I'll be part of the first class for this program so in a few months I'll be able to give people my impressions of what this program is really about and not just what is on paper if you care to PM me.
Again best of luck to all the future Trojans!
 
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I am almost a little hesitant to write what I really think about the medical school admissions process because I'm concerned it might be a little too critical. Anyone else encounter this problem?
 
252e77 said:
I am almost a little hesitant to write what I really think about the medical school admissions process because I'm concerned it might be a little too critical. Anyone else encounter this problem?
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Haha, me too. Sometimes I worry that I'm bashing them too much and maybe that one of the employees of the school will read this and blacklist me lol 😀

Lets take it easy on USC for a while since we know that they won't be sending out interview invites till October.
 
my undergraduate university allowed ap credits to fulfill my physics requirements... thus i never took physics, even though i actually like physics.

but now i can't apply to this school!! should i email the adcom for an exception??? i love their secondary application and i feel like the adcom would really like me (since they're looking for that well roundedness, i've been in our school's orchestra since my 1st year and i was even chosen to sit concertmaster). heck one of my letter writers use to be a professor at keck. gahhhhhhh regret!

advice? 😕
 
To drzhanator:
They require two semesters of physics+lab. You're allowed to take upper classes to substitute if you have used ap credit. Can't you take them before matriculation? You still have one year anyway.
 
drzhanator said:
my undergraduate university allowed ap credits to fulfill my physics requirements... thus i never took physics, even though i actually like physics.

but now i can't apply to this school!! should i email the adcom for an exception??? i love their secondary application and i feel like the adcom would really like me (since they're looking for that well roundedness, i've been in our school's orchestra since my 1st year and i was even chosen to sit concertmaster). heck one of my letter writers use to be a professor at keck. gahhhhhhh regret!

advice? 😕
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Call Keck admissions as soon as possible and see if they'll take your AP credit. From my experience though, a lot of schools expect college coursework for the prereqs so you might run in to this problem again.
 
thanks for your advice/help!

i realize that i can. i just don't really want to... i don't have classes on fridays right now and i really really really want to keep it that way. i'm sick of seeing all of my business friends have a 3 day weekend every weekend. it's time for the bio-nerds to enjoy life too!

but to be honest, what are my chances for a OOS with average stats at USC? not very high... especially when Texas schools are pretty great to begin with?

gah indecisiveness is annoying
 
Do you have to send your transcripts to USC as a part of the secondary applications? (ie., is this a requirement?)
 
monkeyMD said:
Do you have to send your transcripts to USC as a part of the secondary applications? (ie., is this a requirement?)
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Letters of Recommendations, Transcripts are sent to AMCAS. AMCAS will distribute them out to your specific schools automatically, so you don't need to worry about them as long as AMCAS received them all
 
ppappui said:
Letters of Recommendations, Transcripts are sent to AMCAS. AMCAS will distribute them out to your specific schools automatically, so you don't need to worry about them as long as AMCAS received them all
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Thanks!👍
 
Hey guys

For those of you who are applying to keck or were accepted, how much and what kind of research, clinical, and shadowing do you guys have? I m trying to plan my schedule for my senior year and i d love any advice.

Good luck to all of you on the application cycle!
 
JogoBonito said:
Hey guys

For those of you who are applying to keck or were accepted, how much and what kind of research, clinical, and shadowing do you guys have? I m trying to plan my schedule for my senior year and i d love any advice.

Good luck to all of you on the application cycle!
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Currently applying.

-3 abstracts currently published, 1 abstract already submitted, and 1 paper currently being written

-2 years in organic chem lab, 10-15 hrs per week. 2 summers as an intern at a national lab

-shadowing - about ~200 hours
 
JogoBonito said:
Hey guys

For those of you who are applying to keck or were accepted, how much and what kind of research, clinical, and shadowing do you guys have? I m trying to plan my schedule for my senior year and i d love any advice.

Good luck to all of you on the application cycle!
Click to expand...

I'm currently applying too:

•Coauthor on a couple of papers
•~6.75 years in clinical and basic research (with overlapping experiences)
•>900 hrs clinical volunteering + shadowing

If you still have time before application, I would suggest focusing on clinical volunteering / shadowing - med schools want to make sure that you KNOW that you are serious about medicine - that seemed to be the factor that most who were accepted last year had. Try to get in some non-clinical community service too - this will show that you are service oriented and not just doing the clinical volunteering b/c of medicine. Also, make sure you do well in your upper division courses and show improvement.

Good luck and thanks for your positive energy - I can tell that the force is strong with you! :laugh:
 
JogoBonito said:
Hey guys

For those of you who are applying to keck or were accepted, how much and what kind of research, clinical, and shadowing do you guys have? I m trying to plan my schedule for my senior year and i d love any advice.

Good luck to all of you on the application cycle!
Click to expand...


Currently applying!

Found the cure to cancer (all subtypes), turns out it's the sweat of my brow.
Shadowed oncologist, collected samples, ran experimental tests in the back seat of my car to find cures.
2000+ Hours in the OR, I've been there long enough that it has my scent.
 
Also currently applying! Not to brag, but I've received the prestigious 'Participant' Award at my 5th grade science fair.
 
Anyone else having trouble with the application status due to a "missing transcript?" My secondary status has been incomplete because of that for the past few weeks. Isnt amcas supposed to send over the transcript?
Thanks
 
sunshine18 said:
Anyone else having trouble with the application status due to a "missing transcript?" My secondary status has been incomplete because of that for the past few weeks. Isnt amcas supposed to send over the transcript?
Thanks
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I called them because i had the same thing but they said they were having some technical issues so nothing to worry about
 
ModusProbandi said:
Currently applying!

Found the cure to cancer (all subtypes), turns out it's the sweat of my brow.
Shadowed oncologist, collected samples, ran experimental tests in the back seat of my car to find cures.
2000+ Hours in the OR, I've been there long enough that it has my scent.
Click to expand...

Hehe.
 
sunshine18 said:
Anyone else having trouble with the application status due to a "missing transcript?" My secondary status has been incomplete because of that for the past few weeks. Isnt amcas supposed to send over the transcript?
Thanks
Click to expand...


So over the last week or two my status has said "application ready" (I even got an email saying secondary application complete) but I logged on just now and it says the transcripts are missing and my app is not ready. I also have a message in my message center saying they are experiencing technical difficulties ( at 3:14pm pacific today).

so your not alone. I wonder if anyone knows whats up
 
sunshine18 said:
Anyone else having trouble with the application status due to a "missing transcript?" My secondary status has been incomplete because of that for the past few weeks. Isnt amcas supposed to send over the transcript?
Thanks
Click to expand...

mrdude said:
I called them because i had the same thing but they said they were having some technical issues so nothing to worry about
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Phew. The same thing happened to me. I almost needed a cardiologist.
 
haha at the cardiologist comment!

how did you all answer or approach the question about what you'd change about the med school admissions process? i'm scared of either being too critical or too negative.
 
velleityx said:
haha at the cardiologist comment!

how did you all answer or approach the question about what you'd change about the med school admissions process? i'm scared of either being too critical or too negative.
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I completely avoided negativity. I proposed changes that were in line with my views on social justice.

I recommend that you go to a park or beach, think happy thoughts and see if any good ideas come to mind.
 
Maje Salvaje said:
I completely avoided negativity. I proposed changes that were in line with my views on social justice.

I recommend that you go to a park or beach, think happy thoughts and see if any good ideas come to mind.
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Yeah, I think for mine I stated that I wished the process was more affordable. I was lucky and qualified for FAP, but a lot of people don't qualify and still aren't supported by their parents. That would totally suck.

That said, I don't think it would be a bad thing to say something negative about the admissions process and then offer a constructive solution. After all, that's what they asked for, isn't it?
 
Maje Salvaje said:
I completely avoided negativity. I proposed changes that were in line with my views on social justice.

I recommend that you go to a park or beach, think happy thoughts and see if any good ideas come to mind.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is a good recommendation. I wish I came up with it.

During all these little applications, I avoid negatively like a politician and twist anything and everything into something positive.
 
I submitted my application in July 25th but still marked as incomplete because transcripts are not received. Just realized it today. Happened to anybody else? This is really pissing me off.

Edit: Just realized I got that stupid complete email while my app is not actually complete. Had they not sent me that I would have checked the page more often.
 
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FattySlug said:
I submitted my application in July 25th but still marked as incomplete because transcripts are not received. Just realized it today. Happened to anybody else? This is really pissing me off.
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Oh no! 🙁Thank you for the heads up, I'll check on that. I hope it gets resolved soon for you! :luck:
 
FattySlug said:
I submitted my application in July 25th but still marked as incomplete because transcripts are not received. Just realized it today. Happened to anybody else? This is really pissing me off.

Edit: Just realized I got that stupid complete email while my app is not actually complete. Had they not sent me that I would have checked the page more often.
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Yea I have the same problem. I'm going to contact them and see whats up
 
FattySlug said:
I submitted my application in July 25th but still marked as incomplete because transcripts are not received. Just realized it today. Happened to anybody else? This is really pissing me off.

Edit: Just realized I got that stupid complete email while my app is not actually complete. Had they not sent me that I would have checked the page more often.
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Scroll up. There are several posts on this page saying that the transcripts not received thing is most likely a technical error. It says the same thing for me and I was initially complete on 7/17.
 
Schizotypy said:
Scroll up. There are several posts on this page saying that the transcripts not received thing is most likely a technical error. It says the same thing for me and I was initially complete on 7/17.
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Thanks. I just went into panic/rage mode and posted without reading.
 
Has anyone heard anything about USC's Post-Bacc program?
 
looks like the status page is fixed. mine had gone back and forth between complete and incomplete a couple times too
 
Do they screen at all or does everyone get a secondary?
 
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