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University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia: what it looks for, GPA and MCAT

University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia is a public medical school in South Carolina (Columbia).

What University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia says it looks for

Experiences

Health care experience expected, including free-clinic/hospital volunteering, shadowing, scribing, EMT or CNA work. No specified hours.

Qualities

Experience should establish a realistic understanding of pursuing medicine.

Mission and background

Primary consideration to SC residents.

The school publishes little detail about what it looks for, so this is broad. Its own pages are the best guide. Summarized from the school's admissions page, checked October 2026. Not a ranking, a rubric or a prediction of admission.

Admissions statistics

MetricValue
Median GPA of admitted students3.80
Median MCAT of admitted students510
Interview invite rate14.7%
School typePublic
StateSouth Carolina
Applications (AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026)3,011
Matriculants99
In-state share of entering class75.8%

Sources: GPA, MCAT and interview rate: 2026 school dataset (dataset updated 2026-08-04). Applications and entering class: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026. Not a ranking or a prediction of admission. AesculaMD is not affiliated with University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia, the AAMC or AACOM.

Common questions

What does University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia look for in applicants?

From University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia's own admissions pages (checked October 2026): Experiences: Health care experience expected, including free-clinic/hospital volunteering, shadowing, scribing, EMT or CNA work. No specified hours. Qualities: Experience should establish a realistic understanding of pursuing medicine. The school publishes little detail about what it looks for, so this is broad. Its own pages are the best guide.

What is University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia's mission focus?

Primary consideration to SC residents. Summarized from the school's published guidance, checked October 2026.

What GPA and MCAT do students admitted to University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia have?

The median GPA is 3.80 and the median MCAT is 510 (2026 school dataset). A median is the middle of the admitted class, not a minimum: half were admitted below it.

Related: Why strong applicants are still rejected · How many schools to apply to · Where applications fall short

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