December 1 Application Deadline FAQs for Fall 2025 Applicants
December 1 is the final application deadline for first-year applicants applying to programs requiring a portfolio or audition. The list includes the World Bachelor of Business major, as well as all majors in the following schools:
Iovine and Young Academy
Kaufman School of Dance
Roski School of Art & Design
School of Architecture
School of Cinematic Arts
School of Dramatic Arts
Thornton School of Music
It is also the final deadline for transfer applicants applying to BFA programs in the School of Cinematic Arts and School of Dramatic Arts and any major(s) in the Thornton School of Music and Kaufman School of Dance.
Prospective first-year and transfer students applying to these programs by the December 1 deadline will be considered for merit scholarships.
Find more information about USC’s Admission Dates and Deadlines.
This post will address some common questions we receive about the December 1 deadline!
Q: I submitted my application on December 1 before midnight, but my confirmation email says I submitted it on December 2. What’s going on?
A: The Common App timestamp is on Eastern Time, so depending on where you live, it may look like your application was submitted on December 2. That’s okay! We consider applications received by December 1 at 11:59pm in your time zone as on time.
Q: Do I need to submit anything extra to be considered for Office of Admission scholarships?
A: Nope! Just submit all required application materials by December 1. There are some USC organizations that offer additional scholarships for which you may be eligible and that may require an extra application. Review our full list of scholarships for more information.
*Note: USC is test optional for Fall 2025 undergraduate applicants. Applicants who indicate on the Common App that they do not wish to have their test scores considered are not required to submit test scores in order to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
Q: My first-choice major requires a portfolio. So does my second-choice major. Do I have to submit two SlideRoom portfolios?
A: Yes. A SlideRoom portfolio is required for each major. Please note that, even within the same school, portfolio requirements may differ from program to program. Be sure to review application requirements for both your first- and second-choice majors.
Q: My test scores, letter of recommendation and/or transcript won’t arrive until after the deadline. Is that okay?
A: If your Common Application and SlideRoom portfolios are submitted by December 1, your application will be considered on time. If school documents such as transcripts or letters of recommendation trickle in a little after the deadline, that’s okay! Just be sure those are sent as soon as possible!
Q: My transcript and test scores were sent, but they haven’t shown up on my portal checklist. What do I do?
A: Please allow at least two weeks for processing. Even if your transcript* or test scores are showing up as downloaded or received by USC on your ordering platform, it will still take some time to add each document to your file. It is also important to verify that your name on your transcript or test score report is exactly as it appears on your Common Application.
*High school transcripts will not appear on your portal checklist if you are applying as a first-year applicant. We have your self-reported grades on Common App, which we can refer to until your official transcript is added to your file. If, after a couple weeks, we still don’t have an official transcript, we’ll let you know we’re missing documents by sending you an email.
Q: I am an international applicant. Is it okay if my financial statement is submitted after the application deadline?
A: Yes, but don’t wait too long. In order to submit your financial statement, you need access to your portal, which won’t become available until after your application is processed. It is totally fine to submit your financial statement after the deadline, but please upload it as soon as possible. This document is required from all international students, even if they are applying for merit scholarship consideration. Our website has more information about requirements for international applicants.
Q: What is the applicant portal and how do I access it?
A: A day or two after submitting your Common Application, you will receive an email with instructions to access your portal. So, make sure to check your Inbox! The subject of the email is “USC Admission Has Received Your Application – Set up your applicant portal today!” Your portal is where you can check the status of your application, including information about any missing items. You are welcome to check the status of your submitted application throughout the review period by logging into the USC Applicant Portal. The portal is updated as materials are processed into our system.
Be sure you can receive emails from us, and please read your emails! If you set up your Common App account using an email address you never check, it means you will be missing out on important information from USC. If you have used your school’s email address, please be sure your school email system does not block messages from outside the school. Similarly, be sure your email account has space to receive new messages.
Q: When will I know if I am invited to a live audition/interview?
A: Students applying to majors that require an audition or interview will be emailed between mid-December and mid-January, depending on the major. They will either be invited to audition/interview with their intended department(s) or they will be informed that they are no longer being considered for those programs. Students not selected for an audition/interview may choose to withdraw their application at that time or they can remain in the applicant pool to be considered for their second-choice major and/or the Undecided major.
Q: When will I get a final decision?
A: All first-year applicants will have an admission decision and merit scholarship decision by April 1. Transfer applicants will receive an admission decision or a request for their spring grades by May 30. Students who receive a request for spring grades may not have a final decision until mid-July.
Q: I received an email about signing an Affirmation, how do I do this?
A: You will need to log in to your USC Applicant Portal and navigate to the Application Affirmation section. This is an electronic signature acknowledging that everything in your application is truthful, correct and yours. This is required for all USC applicants. You can preview the affirmations here.
Q: If I decide to report my SAT/ACT scores, do you require the official test score report?
A: Yes. Eventually* we will need an official report. In the meantime, you can upload an unofficial copy of your SAT and/or ACT scores through the USC Applicant Portal. Please be sure the unofficial copy includes scores from all sections for each sitting you are submitting (superscores on their own will not fulfill the requirement). It should also have identifying information such as your name, birthdate, address and/or school listed on the report.
*Note: all students who ultimately enroll at USC and chose to have their scores considered must submit an official score report directly through the testing agency.
USC SAT code number: 4852
USC ACT code number: 0470
Q: I am not going to submit official test scores, but my portal notes that the SAT/ACT score report is missing. What is happening?
A: This data comes from the SAT/ACT question on the Common Application. If you indicated that you would like us to consider your official test scores, we will wait for the score report in order to complete your file. If you are no longer interested in submitting your test scores, and we have not already received your scores, you can update your testing plan in the Applicant Portal.
Q: My recommender submitted their letter of recommendation on my behalf. Why don’t I see this as a checklist item on my USC Applicant Portal?
A: Your USC Applicant Portal checklist does not include letters of recommendation. Rest assured! If a recommender has submitted a letter on your behalf, it has been added to your file.
Q: I have additional letters of recommendation I want to add. How do I do this?
A: Additional letters are not required for admission to USC. Please note that quality is more important than quantity! We really only need one letter.
Q: Paying the USC application fee is a financial hardship for me and my family. Can I have the Common Application fee waived?
A: If paying the application fee would cause you financial hardship, utilize the Common Application fee waiver option.
Transfer applicants will find this option in the “My Application” section of the Common Application.
First-year applicants will find this option in the Profile section of the Common Application. You can watch the video below about how to do this!
Additionally, USC offers school-specific fee waiver options, which can be found under the USC Questions section of both the first-year and transfer applications. These school-specific waivers are intended for US Veterans/Active Military/Reserves and their dependents, NAI Scholars, and children of USC employees.
Q: How do I log in to my Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) portal?
A: FAST is a website where students can access their Financial Aid Summary to determine the current status of their application for need-based financial aid. You will have access to your FAST portal a couple of days after we receive your application. You will find a link to the FAST portal in your USC Applicant Portal.
Q: Should I submit my financial aid application before I get an admission decision?
A: Yes! If you are applying for a portfolio-based program by December 1, you will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships. However, need-based aid has a separate process. You should submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by February 5, 2025 if you are a first-year applicant or by March 3, 2025 if you are a transfer applicant. This will allow you to receive your need-based aid summary soon after you receive an admission decision. USC is need-blind, meaning we do not consider financial need when making admission decisions.
Q: I just submitted all my USC application materials. Now what do I do?
A: Nice job! Want to know what to do next? Take a look at the admission blog article “Top 5 Things to Do After Applying to USC”.
Q: I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
If you have any questions or wish to email the Office of Admission, we invite you to askUSC. Applicants can also call the Admission Contact Center at (213) 740-1111.
For any questions about SlideRoom or portfolio requirements, you can reach out to your intended department directly:
Iovine and Young Academy – (213) 821-6140 | iyaadmission@usc.edu
Kaufman School of Dance – (213) 740-9327 | uscdance@usc.edu
Roski School of Art & Design – (213) 740-2787 | roski@usc.edu
School of Architecture – (213) 740-2723 | uscarch@usc.edu
School of Cinematic Arts – (213) 740-8358 | admissions@cinema.usc.edu
School of Dramatic Arts – (213) 740-1286 | sdaugrad@usc.edu
Thornton School of Music – (213) 740-8986 | uscmusic@usc.edu
Marshall School of Business (WBB) – (213) 740-8885 | busadm@marshall.usc.edu
You can also follow @USCAdmission on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. We will post application tips and reminders, as well as answers to other FAQs.
Updated by: Anne Aubert-Santelli, Associate Director - USC Office of Admission