USC bad to apply to as 'mid-range' school due to Cali factor?

[caffeineaholic]

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I know that the UCs are difficult to be admitted to for OOS applicants to due to the huge number of California residents that apply. Do you think USC would be similar in that aspect? I know it's private and not public so it doesn't have to have a stated preference for in-state residents. However, since it's in Cali, would a lot of Cali residents apply there, thus making it a poor choice for OOS applicants to apply to?

I'm thinking about applying to USC as a mid-range / 'non-reach' school. My stats: 3.65 GPA in engineering, 37Q MCAT (~evenly distributed). MSAR data shows a 3.68 median GPA and 33 MCAT for USC.

I just don't want to make the mistake of considering it as a true 'non-reach school' if the Cali effect affects admittance chances (sorta like how people caution against applying to GWU as a 'safety' school due to the huge number of apps it gets).

 

[EndSong]

I am not a student at USC med. But I did interview there and I have worked there for many years.

In my opinion, USC seems to be odd one with its students choices. A lot of their students seem to fit into a couple of distinct camps (it was more obvious at that school than other schools I interviewed at): URM students who want to stay in California and help serve the LA County population, high scoring MCAT/GPA combos that don't do that much else, and much like its undergrad, a few legacies.

Unless you're dead set on attending school in California though, I would say that you should save your money than apply to USC for a couple of reasons:

1) COST: This was hands down a good enough reason for me to withdraw. USC seldomly gives out financial aid, so unless you're very desireable for some reason, or an MSTP, this school is expensive. Its about 44 k tuition, plus another 30 k or so for So Cali living expenses. Many other schools at a similar or much higher ranking, provide more financial aid.

2) The AREA: No medical student in their right mind would live around the campus. You have to commute to get to medical school, most students live in Pasadena/So. Pasadena which is an expensive area to live in, and a 20 to 30 min commute one way

3) Clinical Experience: While USC serves a large underserved population, many of their clinical departments are weaker than they should be. Some of their departments are quite good, like ER, but others aren't like Internal Medicine. Also, if you do not already know, the hospital has recently faced some scandals, such as dumping people in Skid Row or higher fatality rates than normal in some of their surgical departments.

Bottom Line: Many schools are stronger clinically, in terms of research, and overall reputation. Unless you feel a strong desire to serve the latino population or live in southern california, I wouldn't go. Also, they make you drive from the office to your interviewer, the day of your interview.