Application Overview
Application Checklist
The Common Application
Personal essay
Academic interest short answer
Activities list
Quick takes
Secondary school report
Letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor
Portfolio, audition, interview, résumé and/or additional writing samples, if required by major
Official high school/secondary school transcripts
SAT or ACT scores (optional)
Mid-Year Report/fall grades
Find more details on our website at admission.usc.edu or apply at admission.usc.edu/commonapp starting August 1, 2024.
The University of Southern California admits students of any race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability or mental disability and does not discriminate on any such basis. The University’s full non-discrimination policy can be found online at eeotix.usc.edu
Application Deadlines
Early Action | November 1, 2024
EA is non-binding and non-restrictive, and is not available for certain majors (listed below). Students must apply EA to most programs to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships. EA applicants will receive an admission decision or deferral to Regular Decision in mid-late January 2025.
Regular Decision | December 1, 2024
Deadline for majors requiring a portfolio or audition, including majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Music, the Iovine and Young Academy and the World Bachelor in Business. Candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | January 15, 2025
All other majors.
RD applicants will receive an admission decision by April 1, 2025. admission.usc.edu/deadlines
Merit Scholarships
USC offers a robust merit scholarship program. Amounts range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition. admission.usc.edu/scholarships
Financial Aid Deadlines
Early Action: December 13, 2024 | Regular Decision: February 5, 2025
Cal Grant: March 3, 2025 California residents only USC requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
financialaid.usc.edu
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911 Check
Start your application today at admission.usc.edu/commonapp.
@uscadmission admission.usc.edu | www.admissionblog.usc.edu | (213) 740-1111