University of South Carolina School of Medicine (Columbia)

Columbia, South CarolinaMD Official website

MCAT508AverageSources and context for MCAT
GPA3.77AverageSources and context for GPA
Class size992025-2026Source for Class size
In-state tuition$44,832One year, tuition and feesSource for In-state tuition

Mission

We serve the people of South Carolina and beyond through exemplary health and medical education, transformative research, and compassionate care for all. Since the core mission of the SOM is to serve the people of South Carolina, we primarily consider applicants who are residents of the state of South Carolina or applicants who are non-residents but have a significant tie or connection to our state. Our curriculum provides opportunities for our students to interact with practicing physicians during their first two semesters of medical school. These interactions occur as a part of a collaborative relationship with one of our clinical providers. The interactions supplement the experiences that students receive from working with standardized patients. The M2 curriculum also allows our students to utilize ultrasound technology to supplement the information that is learned during the systems- based curriculum of the second year of medical school. Part of the mission of the SOM is to provide compassionate care for all. Our students are exposed to various aspects of the Columbia and underserved community by volunteering at local shelters, by volunteering at the Free Medical Clinics, and by partnering with a variety of community service organizations that focus on the needs of the community. Additionally as a part of lectures and class discussions, our students have panels and presentations from persons that comprise our community as a part of their medical education. We strongly encourage all medical students to make a positive difference in their local communities.
As the school states it

Admissions office

Office of AdmissionsSchool of MedicineColumbia, SC 29208 USA
(803) 216-3625
[email protected]

Tuition and cost

Tuition and fees
In state$44,832
Out of state$89,094
One year, as reported. A missing figure means the school did not report it, never that it costs nothing.
Cost of attendance
In state$75,756
Out of state$120,018
Tuition plus the living costs the school budgets for. This is what a loan is sized against.
What you leave with
Average graduating debt
$225,010
Students receiving aid
87%
Deposit
Due
April 30, 2026
In state
$250
Out of state
$250
Health insurance
In state
$3,780
Out of state
$3,780

Who can apply

Out-of-state ApplicantsYesYes, Close, significant ties to SC
Canadian ApplicantsNoNo
International ApplicantsNoNo
DACA Status ApplicantsNoNo
Transfer applicantsConditionsAccepted with conditions
Community college prerequisitesYesAccepted
AP creditYesAccepted
Online courseworkYesAccepted
Pass/fail courseworkYesAccepted

Although we do not have any course prerequisites, a strong preparation in the natural sciences is highly recommended including general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. We also recommend coursework in the social sciences (anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, linguistics, politics, psychology, or sociology). Further advanced studies in the biological, physical and/or chemical sciences are encouraged. Courses such as physics, histology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology are also recommended. Courses are always valid for admission consideration and do not have an expiration. We give preference to applicants who will, upon enrollment, hold a bachelor’s degree. We occasionally admit students on the basis of 90 semester hours of outstanding undergraduate achievement.

Applying

How competitive is admission here?

30.4applications per seat2025-2026
3,011applications received2025-2026
17.3%from in state2025-2026
  1. MCAT scores this school will read
    Oldest accepted
    September 2023
    Latest accepted
    September 12, 2026
  2. AAMC PREview
    Policy
    We are not using PREview scores in the admissions process
  3. Secondary application
    Required
    Yes
    Fee
    $100
    Sent to
    All applicants
    Fee waiver
    Available
  4. Secondary deadline
    Due
    December 15, 2026
  5. Letters of recommendation
    Committee letter
    Accepted
    Letter packet
    Accepted
    Individual letters
    Accepted
  6. Interview
    Invitations
    August of the application year.
  7. Deposit on an offer
    Required
    Yes
    Due
    April 30, 2026
    In state
    $250
    Out of state
    $250
    Refundable
    No
    Credited
    No

Prerequisite coursework

  • BiochemistryBiochemistry - at least one semesterRecommended
  • BiologyGeneral Biology - two semestersRecommended
  • ChemistryGeneral Chemistry - two semesters and Organic Chemistry - two semestersRecommended

Interview

Regional interviews: no
Video interview

All interviews will be virtual this year in our AMP application system

How the school describes it

Two 30-minute interviews.

Invitations

August of the application year.

A typical interview day

In addition to two virtual 30 -minute interviews, applicants will have a virtual meeting with our student ambassadors to hear about the SOM and ask questions. There is also a question and answer session with a representative of the Office of Admissions.

If you are waitlisted

Waitlist positions
This number varies each year.

Applicants are notified in early April of their waitlist status. Not all applicants who interview are placed on the waitlist. Waitlist ranking is not disclosed to applicants.

Sources

Figures here were last reviewed on 2026-08-04.

PreMD publishes no ranking of medical schools and republishes nobody else's. Reported averages and medians describe entering classes; they do not predict an applicant's result.

PreMD is an independent planning tool for applicants. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by this school, and this is not the school's official website. Marks are shown for identification.