2025-2026 USC Keck

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2025-2026 USC Keck Secondary Essay Prompts: (same as last year)( maximum character count corrected)

1.The following questions allow the Admissions Committee to become acquainted with you as an individual. Please answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. (max. 1000 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!

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Detail information of University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine including admission, tuition, ranking, and overview.
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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.
 
Nothing yet for this cycle, last cycle I didn't get keck secondaries till 7/24 so dont stress yet!
 
No stress, folks. Prewrite last year's prompts, this'll be the easiest secondary you'll have this cycle.
 
+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)
 
I know Keck does not historically screen applicants, but I have not received anything yet.
 
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.
 
QuarterBetter7885 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
QuarterBetter7885 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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?
 
heels03 said:
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?
Click to expand...
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
 
wysdoc said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
throwingthisinthemix said:
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.
Click to expand...
I’ll see what I can find out & report back
 
"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?
 
beepbeepboopbop02 said:
"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?
Click to expand...
This is what I've gathered too. New dean. Wouldn't surprise me.
 
beepbeepboopbop02 said:
"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?
Click to expand...
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
 
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?
 
beepbeepboopbop02 said:
"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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
Hi all. I've seen in past SDN threads not to write a "Why Us?" essay in the "Anything Else?" section. Is anyone aware if a brief gap year update is alright? I'm up to new (totally professional) shenanigans and want to keep USC posted, as they don't like update letters.
 
Pallas said:
Hi all. I've seen in past SDN threads not to write a "Why Us?" essay in the "Anything Else?" section. Is anyone aware if a brief gap year update is alright? I'm up to new (totally professional) shenanigans and want to keep USC posted, as they don't like update letters.
Click to expand...
Interesting... I honestly interpreted it as a good outlet to discuss why the school would be a good fit. I feel like there's not a lot of area to talk about your interests or fit elsewhere.
 
Are they intentionally being difficult with the character count thing or what? They say 3-5 sentences, 65 words or less, and 1000 characters. I'm doing 1000 characters, but just pick one bro jeez
 
my portal says i've submitted and my application is now under review, but I haven't received a submitted, complete, or payment confirmed email. Anyone else in the same boat?
 
beepbeepboopbop02 said:
Interesting... I honestly interpreted it as a good outlet to discuss why the school would be a good fit. I feel like there's not a lot of area to talk about your interests or fit elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Is there a reason why writing a "Why us" essay in the "anything else" question is bad?
 
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