Important Information for First-Year Students from the Director of Undergraduate Admission: It’s All in the Details…
Applying to college as a first-year student can be daunting, especially given that each institution has its own requirements and deadlines. In the hopes of easing your process of applying to USC, I wanted to point out a few details that might be unique to USC. I recommend bookmarking this blog post, so you have it handy as you fill out your application.
Merit Scholarship Deadlines
The merit scholarship deadline depends on your intended major. To be considered for merit-based scholarships, students must apply by one of the deadlines below. Refer to your program of interest for more information.
Early Action: To be considered for merit-based scholarships, most students must choose the Early Action (EA) plan and submit the application by November 1, 2024.
Regular Decision: Students applying to majors that require a portfolio or audition must apply by December 1, 2024. These include majors in the:
· Iovine and Young Academy
· Kaufman School of Dance
· Roski School of Art and Design
· School of Architecture
· School of Dramatic Arts
· Thornton School of Music
· School of Cinematic Arts
· World Bachelor in Business (Marshall School of Business)
Please review our Dates & Deadlines page for more information and a helpful FAQ.
Courses and Grades
We ask first-year applicants to enter their high school courses and grades in the Common App. Not all colleges require this, so it can be surprising if you are not prepared. Obtaining a copy of your high school record/transcript should make things easier.
Short Essay Response
USC requires an additional short written response. It is limited to 250 words and asks about your academic interests and how you envision pursuing them at USC.
Some majors may require additional short answers, including those in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Viterbi School of Engineering. You can see the prompt in the Common App after you indicate your intended major(s).
To enter your intended major(s) in the Common App, visit the “My Colleges” tab and select “USC.” In the “Application Questions” section, select “Academics.”
Extra Materials
Some majors require additional materials, such as portfolios and resumes. Please only submit these materials if they are required by your intended program. Students applying to majors in the visual and performing arts, the Iovine and Young Academy, and World Bachelor in Business should expect to submit portfolios, resumes or additional writing samples. Follow all instructions for your respective program(s).
Of course, if you are not applying to one of these programs, you are encouraged to tell us about these interests (e.g. dance, music, etc.) in other parts of your application, such as the Activity List or your essay.
Technical Difficulties
If you experience a glitch that prevents you from submitting your application on time, contact the Common App Solutions Center Team. You can also click on the “Need Help?” link on the Common App website for immediate assistance. For those submitting a SlideRoom portfolio, contact the SlideRoom Help Center.
The last thing we want is for you to give up on applying due to some problem beyond your control. Contact your admission counselor if technical difficulties will require an extension.
AXS Companion
We want anyone to pursue their dream of a college education. Sometimes the act of filling out the application can be a barrier. That’s why the AXS Companion was created—to help more students get to college by coaching students while filling out the application.
We encourage you to browse AXS Companion, which provides videos that walk you through the Common App, part by part. The site is completely free, it does not require a login and it deploys no tracking of user behavior. It is just free advice about the Common App given by experts who want to be helpful.
Consider sharing this resource with a classmate who might benefit from help completing the Common App, regardless of where they plan to attend.
I hope you find this information helpful. I wish you success this academic year and all the best in your future studies.
Written by: Kirk Brennan – Director of Undergraduate Admission – USC Office of Admission