13%

Acceptance Rate

1350 - 1530

SAT Range

30 - 34

ACT Range

University of Southern California (USC) Admissions

The University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California has an acceptance rate of 13%. The institute offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs in majors such as Accounting, Architecture, Art and Design, (Arts, Technology, Business), Business, Cinematic Arts, Communication, Journalism, Dance, Dentistry, Dramatic Arts, (Letters, Arts, and Sciences), Education, Engineering, Gerontology, Law, Medicine, Music, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Professional Studies, Public Policy, Social Work through traditional on-campus education as well as through online arrangements.

For detailed information on admissions please visit their official site or try contacting them using these contacts.

Phone No. (213) 740-1111, 2137402311

Fax-(213) | 821-0200

Email- admitusc@usc.edu  

 

Application Process

Applicants are requested to submit applications online through the Common Application at commonapp.org. A non-refundable fee will be charged with the completed application, although applicants with financial need may request a fee waiver.

For specific application deadlines and requirements, applicants should refer to admission.usc.edu or the Meet USC brochure.

Undergraduate Application Process

Prospective first-year students are evaluated on the content and rigor of their high school course work, their grades, standardized test scores, activity summary, essay, short answers, and counselor/teacher recommendations.

There are no absolute "cutoffs" or minimums for grades, rank in class or test scores. The institute is interested in the interplay of these elements as well as personal accomplishments and potential for success.

Some commonly required materials include:

  • Completed Common Application and USC Writing Supplement

  • Official Test Scores: USC requires either SAT or ACT scores from all first-year applicants. For students who take the SAT more than once, USC records the highest scores for each section. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics  even if achieved in different settings. For the ACT, USC will just consider the highest composite score. USC does not require the writing section for either the ACT or the SAT general test.

  • Transcripts: First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.

  • Letter(s) of Recommendation: One letter is required from either the applicant’s school counselor or a teacher from his/her school. Applicants to the School of Cinematic Arts must submit three letters of recommendation.

  • Portfolio, resumé, and/or additional writing samples: if required by major. Performance majors may also require auditions. Applicants must refer to the Additional Application Requirements section.

  • Applicants must submit their fall grades (if available): Using the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit admission.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit respective fall grades.

  • Application Affirmations: Affirmations will be available in the portal after the institute receives the submitted application. The applicant’s digital signature may be submitted after the application deadline.

Further, there are additional application requirements for some programs, applicants are hereby requested to go through the official webpages of these programs as cited above for more information.


Graduate Application Process

USC does not have a university-wide minimum GPA requirement for graduate admission eligibility. Graduate applicants are evaluated on a number of criteria such as academic performance, test scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and whether or not their academic and research interests are an appropriate fit with the degree program. However, individual academic programs are free to set their own admission criteria above and beyond general university requirements. In some instances, this may include a minimum GPA. To verify their policy, it is recommended that applicants contact their intended graduate department.

  • At a minimum applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. If he/she studied overseas, please review our country-specific requirements for more information about degree equivalency. Please be advised that many USC graduate programs have their own set of admission criteria, in addition to the minimum eligibility requirements noted above. For more information, please refer to the homepage of your intended graduate program or contact them directly

  • The USC Application for Graduate Admission (usc.liaisoncas.com) should be used by all applicants to all programs except law, medicine, the physician assistant program, and some professional programs in the schools of dentistry and pharmacy, and the divisions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public health. Applicants should confirm application requirements with their intended school or academic program before application submission.

  • Students applying for graduate degrees conferred by the Graduate School must hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university comparable in standard to that awarded at USC. Students who have earned a master's degree from an accredited U.S. institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may have the baccalaureate degree requirement waived after review. Diplomas granted for a preponderance of life experience, portfolio or equivalency examinations are not considered appropriate preparation for acceptance into USC's graduate degree programs and are not the equivalent of USC's undergraduate degrees. Verification of a completed undergraduate degree must be provided before enrollment in a second semester at USC.

Online Graduate Programs

Admission to the University of Southern California's online graduate programs is offered to candidates meeting the university's admission standards. USC's online programs are designed to be as rigorous and comprehensive as their traditional on-campus counterparts. Official offers of admission to some of our online programs may come directly from the administering school or college.

Prospective online program students must submit an application for admission, application fee, official academic records, and supplemental documents as required by their intended program. Applicants are encouraged to contact the department, program, or school to which they are applying for further program information and additional requirements.


Doctoral Application Process

Some doctoral programs at USC admit students with Advanced Standing (the entry with an appropriate completed graduate degree from an accredited institution).

A minimum of 36 units of course work beyond the first graduate degree, exclusive of 794 Doctoral Dissertation preparation, is required for the doctoral degree if students are admitted with Advanced Standing. Additional coursework may be required if deemed necessary by the student's faculty. Applicants are requested to visit their website or contact them using the contacts mentioned above.


International Students

Admitted international students whose first language is not English are normally required to take the International Student English Examination (ISE Exam) before the beginning of the first term of study. The examination results determine whether students must take additional English for academic purposes course work.

Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE)

International first-year and transfer applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the PTE Academic test. International first-year applicants with minimum scores of 650 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading test or a 27 on the ACT English are exempt from taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. The TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic must have been taken within two years of the application date.

SAT Scores you need to get in

SAT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

1350 - 1530

Applicants Submitting SAT Percentage of Students submitting SAT Scores.

61%

SAT Reading 25th

660

SAT Math 25th

690

SAT Composite 25th

1350

SAT Reading 75th

740

SAT Math 75th

790

SAT Composite 75th

1530

Average SAT Score

1440

The SAT scores of the applicants are also considered by University of Southern California for their admission. It is important for students to note that SAT scores are mandatory in order to be considered for admission at the university. To get into the university, the average SAT score required currently stands at 1445. But, in some cases, those who have a SAT score of 1360 or below may also be given admission to USC. As many as 68% of the applicants to the university submit their SAT scores for admission consideration.

ACT Scores you need to get in

ACT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

30 - 34

Applicants Submitting ACT Percentage of Students submitting ACT Scores.

52%

ACT Math 25th

28

ACT English 25th

32

ACT Composite 25th

30

ACT Math 75th

34

ACT English 75th

35

ACT Composite 75th

34

Average ACT Score

32

As for the ACT scores, an average score of 32 is needed to get accepted to University of Southern California. Moreover, most of the candidates accepted by University of Southern California have composite ACT scores in the range of 31-34. However, a minimum ACT composite score of 31 is necessary to be considered for admission by the institution. Moreover, the submission of ACT scores is mandatory to be considered for admission. Around 42% of the applicants to USC submit their ACT scores for gaining admission to the university, according to the latest information.

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Grade Points Average (GPA) The average high school GPA of the admitted students

3.7

The average GPA of the students in Universiy of Southern California(USC) is 3.73 on the scale of 4.0. However, there is no minimum GPA requirement as a criteria for enrolment into any degree programs of their institute.

Admission Requirements

What Really Matters When Applying

High School GPA

Required

High School Rank

Neither required nor recommended

High School Transcript

Required

College Prep Courses

Required

SAT/ACT

Required

Recommendations

Required

University of Southern California has set some bar for the admission requirements. As thee admission requirements alos depend upon the type of course selected by the candidate.The common admission requirements for the undergraduate, gradute and international students are

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

The students seeking admission as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California. The common admission requirements for undergraduate course is:

  • Completed Common Application form and USC’s Common Application Supplement.

  • Official transcripts (high school diploma/GED certificate/bachelor degree/master degree),

  • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT).

  • Essay and responses to short answer topics.

  • Activities list.

  • Counselor/teacher recommendation form and letter.

Other Items Required of Certain Applicants are:

  • Supplemental materials and/or auditions, depending upon major.

  • Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international students only)

  • Results of predicted IB or A-Level Exam (international students only).

 


For Graduate Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission as a graduate student at University of Souther California. The admission requirement for the following is as follows:

  • Completed Online Application.

  • Official high school transcripts

  • Standardized test scores of SAT/ACT.

  • Valid GRE or GMAT scores.

  • Updated Current Resume.

  • Letters of Recommendations.

For International Graduate Admission Requirements

For an internationa graduate student the admission requirements is same as that of graduate admission process expect they require a few additional documents to complete the admisison process.

  • Submit the offiical test scores as a proof of english proficiency like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE. 

    For TOEFL minimum score of 100 or above.

    For IELTS minimum score of 7 or above.

    For PTE minumum score of 68 or above.

    The Proof of English Proficiency can be waived off if the student hold's a bachelor degree completed in the U.S. university or college or the native language of the student is English.

  • Submit your financial documents and passport copies. 

Admission Deadlines

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

FALSE

Application Fee Application fees may vary by program and may be waived for certain students. Please check with the school.

$80

Early Decision Deadline

None

Early Action Deadline

None

Offer Action Deadline

No

Offers Early Decision

No

Application Website

https://www.commonapp.org/

Accepts Common App

Yes

Accepts Coalition App

No

Applicants are requested to pay a fee of $80, which is non-refundable and submit their completed application form on or before 15 January.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics

WomenMenTotal
Applied34,32030,03264,352
Accepted4,3104,0298,339
Acceptance Rate13%13%13%
Enrolled172316783401
Percentage of admitted who Enrolled (Admission Yield)40%42%41%

The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles is an exclusive private college. It is highly competitive, and only the best of the best receive invitations to study there.

In 2020, a total of 64,252 candidates applied at USC, with a fairly even gender split of 34,320 women to 30,032 men. Despite over 60,000 applications, only 8,339 candidates were given the opportunity to continue the admissions process at the elite USC school.

This means the USC acceptance rate is only 13% for both men and women. From those who passed the application process, 3,401 chose to study for a degree at USC. The percentage of selected candidates who enrolled in the college sits at 41%.

USC Acceptance Rate vs. the Competition

Southern Cal is a prestigious university, and high achievers may be wondering how the USC acceptance rate compares to other colleges with similar reputations.

The University of California (UCLA) in Los Angeles is a popular school, with 113,754 applications in 2020. The acceptance rate isn't dissimilar to USC, sitting at 14% or 15,970 people.

Let's look at Stanford University, another private college in California. It is one of the most difficult universities to get into, and from 47,452 applicants in 2020, Stanford only accepted 4%. From this number, there were 82% newly enrolled students.

While the USC acceptance rate is low, it is a private college with a reputation for excellence and consistently good results.

Admission Statistics

Applied

Women

34,320

Men

30,032

Total

64,352

Accepted

Women

4,310

Men

4,029

Total

8,339

Acceptance Rate

Women

13%

Men

13%

Total

13%

Enrolled

Women

1723

Men

1678

Total

3401

Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)

Women

40%

Men

42%

Total

41%

Credits Accepted

AP Credit

Yes

Dual Credit

NA

Credit for Life Experiences

NA

Many universities in the US incentivize students by assisting them to earn university credit by opting for certain courses available in high school. There are many such programs for the students, and some of the popular programs are AP Credit, CLEP (Credit for Life Experiences), and Dual Enrollment (also known as Dual Credit). Different colleges follow different policies regarding these credits. Such programs also have various benefits for the students; they include a higher GPA, increased chances of completing a degree, and a shorter time to obtain a degree. In order to avail CLEP and AP credits, students can visit the collegeboard.org website and request to submit the scores to the university of their choice.

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