Applying to USC through Questbridge: A Step-by-Step Guide
Fun fact… Outside of the Common Application, there is only one other way to apply to USC: The Questbridge Application!
USC has had a long-standing partnership with Questbridge, and each year we welcome hundreds of QB finalists onto our campus. In general, our application process has many steps, and the Questbridge process is no different. But don’t worry! I’ve broken down the application process into three simple steps, along with answers to the most common questions I’ve heard from students over the years.
Step 1: Applying through Questbridge!
If you’ve been named a QB finalist, you can apply to USC through the Questbridge application match process. It is important to submit all materials required for your application by the deadlines outlined by the Questbridge organization. First, complete the QuestBridge application and, if invited to the match process, rank USC. It will take a few days for us to receive your app, but once the application is processed, we’ll email you instructions to log in and activate your USC Applicant Portal. This is where you can track the status of the materials you submit to USC directly.
There are a few instances where it is best to apply to USC through the Common Application. For example…
It can depend upon your intended major. At USC, you must apply directly to a major. It's important to note that applicants interested in applying to BFA Dance, BFA Theater, the Iovine-Young Academy, and the World Bachelor in Business program at USC cannot apply through the QB match process. If you are interested in any of those majors, the Questbridge process isn’t the right fit for applying to use, and you can apply to USC using the Common App.
Also, if you are a QB finalist, but do not rank USC or choose not to participate in the Match process, you can apply at any time through the Common Application.
Step 2: Sending USC specific materials!
After your Questbridge Application has been forwarded to us, you will receive instructions on accessing your USC Applicant Portal. Most importantly, your portal is where you will access your USC QB Supplements. All majors require you to fill out the USC QB supplemental questions, and some majors will have additional major-specific questions as well.
Applicants to Architecture, Fine Arts, Music, Cinematic Arts and BA Theatre require a portfolio to be submitted. To gain access to Slideroom, which is where you’ll upload your portfolio, you’ll need to complete a Common Application. It is important to submit your QB Supplement on time! The QB Supplement is where you learn what major you are interested in and get to learn more about your academic interests and interest in USC.
Step 3: Match decisions, and what to do next!
At this point, the students we match with will be notified of their admission; but, if you are still interested in USC, the process is far from complete! Here are some possible scenarios:
I did not match, but ranked USC and completed the USC supplement…
Finalists who ranked USC in the match process but did not match with another school and completed the USC supplement may request to be considered for Early Action admission to USC. After match notifications are sent out, non-match applicants will receive the Early Action Request Form in their USC Applicant Portal. All you have to do is fill this form out to indicate you’d like to be considered for Early Action. Our EA deadline is a merit scholarship consideration deadline as well, so you’ll be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
All Finalists who rank USC for the match process, but did not match will automatically have their applications moved into the Regular Decision process if they do not fill out the Early Action Request Form.
I did not match, ranked USC, but didn’t complete the USC Supplement…
Finalists who ranked USC in the Match but did not complete the USC Supplements will need to apply to USC through the Common Application.
I did not match, and did not rank USC…
Finalists who did not rank USC in the match process can apply to USC Regular Decision through the Common Application. Only students applying to audition or portfolio-based majors by the December 1st deadline will be considered for merit scholarships.
You’ve made it! You now have all the information needed to apply to USC through Questbridge! If you’d like to learn more about Quest Scholars at USC, check out this video:
Written by: Isaiah Sneed, Senior Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission