Dr. Elisa C.

Dr. Cheng’s academic excellence began during her undergraduate studies at USC, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in neuroscience and a minor in health care studies. Raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Dr. Cheng's early education at a private Christian international school and her mission trips to Indonesia and rural China sparked her interest in community outreach and global and rural medicine. This interest has fueled her passion for education and mentorship, and she has since gained a wide range of experiences working with students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

She has also participated in medical education research with Keck, working to improve inclusivity and diversity in the curriculum. As an admissions coach, Dr. Cheng enjoys guiding students in crafting their unique narratives for their applications.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Cheng gained experience in education, working in college admissions, SAT preparation, and designing curricula for Upward Bound, a program supporting low-income minority high school students pursuing higher education. This background has equipped her with an understanding of the challenges faced by students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

In medical school, Dr. Cheng took on leadership roles as the president of the anesthesiology and radiology student interest groups. She also founded Empowering Future Health Professionals, a student organization connecting local high schoolers interested in healthcare with Keck students, further demonstrating her commitment to mentorship and community outreach.

Dr. Cheng believes in a holistic approach to evaluating medical school applicants and enjoys working with students to create narratives that highlight their strengths. Her extensive experience in mentoring, combined with her insider knowledge of the admissions process, positions her as a great mentor for aspiring medical students.