2025-2026 USC Keck

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2025-2026 USC Keck Secondary Essay Prompts: (same as last year)

1.The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Each answer must be 65 words or less (max. 550 characters).

• What is the most fun you’ve had lately?
• If you had to give yourself a nickname, what would it be?
• What are three things you don't care about at all?
• Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.

2. Is there anything else you would like us to know? Please respond in 200 words or less (max. 1,400 characters).

Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:

University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine - Admission, Tuition, Ranking & Overview | Student Doctor Network

Detail information of University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine including admission, tuition, ranking, and overview.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[JPace24]

It seems like as of today (June 30th, 2025) nothing has come out yet. Keeping my eyes peeled as a recent USC undergrad and master's graduate.

 

[mfan11]

Nothing yet so far

 

[beepbeepboopbop02]

Nothing as of today 07/16

 

[premeddddd122]

Nothing yet for this cycle, last cycle I didn't get keck secondaries till 7/24 so dont stress yet!

 

[SilentCavalier]

No stress, folks. Prewrite last year's prompts, this'll be the easiest secondary you'll have this cycle.

 

[wysdoc]

No stress, folks. Prewrite last year's prompts, this'll be the easiest secondary you'll have this cycle.

You can do this, but check very closely when this year’s prompts come out because they do change.

 

[saiyan.uzumaki17]

+1 OOS

 

[throwingthisinthemix]

+1 OOS

Prompts?

 

[purrkinje]

+1 OOS MD-PhD

same prompts as last year

The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Each answer must be 65 words or less (max. 550 characters).

• What is the most fun you’ve had lately?
• If you had to give yourself a nickname, what would it be?
• What are three things you don't care about at all?
• Describe a situation in which you didn’t get something you felt you deserved.

Is there anything else you would like us to know? Please respond in 200 words or less (max. 1,400 characters).

MD-PhD specific:
The following questions provide the Admissions Committee with additional information about Ph.D. applicants.
List your publications and papers submitted including one or two sentences describing your role on each publication. (1,800 characters max)

Please indicate fields of study for which you have a special interest. For example: Anatomy, Biostatistics, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology, Epidemiology, Bioengineering, Human Genetics, Neurosciences, Biochemistry, Immunology Nutrition, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology Biophysics, Physiology, Cancer, Other (500 character)

Please provide the names of faculty at USC and Caltech with whom you would like to meet, if invited for an interview. For each faculty member suggested, provide a sentence or two explaining why you would like to meet that person. (1,800 characters max)

 

[TameImpalaFan]

Anyone else not received it still? Trying to figure out if they are screening applicants.

 

[JPace24]

I know Keck does not historically screen applicants, but I have not received anything yet.

 

[ihavetwobraincells]

same here

 

[texco23]

+1 OOS Secondary

 

[rosegold123]

+1 OOS secondary

 

[Kendo(c)]

+1 IS

 

[userr020104]

+ 1 Canada

 

[QuarterBetter7885]

Heads up, Keck sent an email updating the character count discrepancy, saying that if you follow the maximum character count (1000), you will not be penalized. Are y'all doing this? The instructions clearly state to keep it below 65 words and 550 characters so I feel more confused.

 

[userr020104]

Heads up, Keck sent an email updating the character count discrepancy, saying that if you follow the maximum character count (1000), you will not be penalized. Are y'all doing this? The instructions clearly state to keep it below 65 words and 550 characters so I feel more confused.

I personally jumped the gun and submitted my secondary before they even sent it out, so I stuck to the 65 words/550 characters, to play it safe.

 

[actual789]

anyone still not receive a secondary?

 

[dokiii]

+1 IS

 

[purrkinje]

Heads up, Keck sent an email updating the character count discrepancy, saying that if you follow the maximum character count (1000), you will not be penalized. Are y'all doing this? The instructions clearly state to keep it below 65 words and 550 characters so I feel more confused.

The first time writing them they were 700-800 characters, i tried shortening to 550 and felt they sounded odd. when i got the email i went back to 700-800 and submitted that haha

 

[SilentCavalier]

+1 IS

 

[heels03]

im confused... are they basically saying we actually have 1000 characters but our responses still have to be 3-5 sentences / 65 words or less?

 

[wysdoc]

im confused... are they basically saying we actually have 1000 characters but our responses still have to be 3-5 sentences / 65 words or less?

The 1000 character thing was a glitch or error, which USC quickly corrected, but did not penalize people who had already submitted their secondaries.

Character limit 550 each for the first questions in prompt 1
Limit 200 words or 1400 characters for prompt 2

 

[mfan11]

+1 IS

 

[The Bro Pauly D]

+1 Secondary today, IS.

 

[throwingthisinthemix]

The 1000 character thing was a glitch or error, which USC quickly corrected, but did not penalize people who had already submitted their secondaries.

Character limit 550 each for the first questions in prompt 1
Limit 200 words or 1400 characters for prompt 2

To me, the email seemed like it said everyone could use the 1000 character limit, even going forward. The character limit on the portal still allows it as well. Do you think that's a bad idea, since it goes against the original instructions? The email says "Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section. You will not be penalized." after explaining that the "maximum character count" is up to 1000 characters.

 

[wysdoc]

To me, the email seemed like it said everyone could use the 1000 character limit, even going forward. The character limit on the portal still allows it as well. Do you think that's a bad idea, since it goes against the original instructions? The email says "Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section. You will not be penalized." after explaining that the "maximum character count" is up to 1000 characters.

I’ll see what I can find out & report back

 

[throwingthisinthemix]

I’ll see what I can find out & report back

Thank you so much!

 

[beepbeepboopbop02]

"It has come to our attention that there was a discrepancy in the instructions provided for the short answer questions in our secondary application. The prompt requests that your reply be limited to 4-5 sentences while the maximum character count allows up to 550 characters. The 550 character count is incorrect. The correct maximum character count allows up to 1000 characters.

Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section."

I guess maybe it's okay to take up the whole 1000 character count now?

 

[SilentCavalier]

"It has come to our attention that there was a discrepancy in the instructions provided for the short answer questions in our secondary application. The prompt requests that your reply be limited to 4-5 sentences while the maximum character count allows up to 550 characters. The 550 character count is incorrect. The correct maximum character count allows up to 1000 characters.

Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section."

I guess maybe it's okay to take up the whole 1000 character count now?

This is what I've gathered too. New dean. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Holdupwaitaminuteyeayeaye]

"It has come to our attention that there was a discrepancy in the instructions provided for the short answer questions in our secondary application. The prompt requests that your reply be limited to 4-5 sentences while the maximum character count allows up to 550 characters. The 550 character count is incorrect. The correct maximum character count allows up to 1000 characters.

Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section."

I guess maybe it's okay to take up the whole 1000 character count now?

Im not sure, I might just stick that with the 65 word limit unless stated otherwise. I think i'll email them tmrw or monday though or wait until wsydoc figures out more info

 

[dblshotespressoplz]

Confused because on my portal for the "anything else" essay, there isn't a designated word count (even though other people reported a 200 word count but that is nowhere to be found on my end), only the 1,400 character limit so i guess i'll roll with that?

 

[HappySand21]

"It has come to our attention that there was a discrepancy in the instructions provided for the short answer questions in our secondary application. The prompt requests that your reply be limited to 4-5 sentences while the maximum character count allows up to 550 characters. The 550 character count is incorrect. The correct maximum character count allows up to 1000 characters.

Please feel free to follow the maximum character count guideline when providing your responses in the short answer section."

I guess maybe it's okay to take up the whole 1000 character count now?

I have emailed the admissions committee and they clarified that it's okay to use the 1000 character count despite it saying 65 words limit. Personally, I'm still using the 65 limit though as it's been like that for past cycles.