1.Complete Online Application

Once you have carefully reviewed USC’s application requirements and instructions, submit your application online. USC no longer accepts paper applications.

2.Pay Your Application Fees

The application fee is $90 for all graduate programs, except those offered by the Marshall School of Business ($155) and the International Academy’s Pre-Master’s program ($175). We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover card payments.

3.Upload Program Materials

In addition to transcripts and test scores, most USC graduate programs require supplemental materials for admission review. These materials include, but are not limited to, elements such as a statement of purpose, recommendations, writing samples, a creative portfolio, etc. Please upload these documents according to the instructions and requirements for your intended program.

4.Submit Your Transcripts

Although you will need to upload copies of your transcripts to your online application, they are not considered official. You must also have official copies mailed to USC directly from your institution(s) of study. Mailing addresses are available on our website.

5.Submit All Test Scores

USC accepts only electronic scores sent directly from the testing service. Self-reported or paper scores are not acceptable. USC’s ETS school code is 4852. No department code is required.

For IELTS scores, select the “University of Southern California” from the list of available institutions when you register for the test or request electronic submission of your scores to USC. No department code is required.

6.Upload Your Financial Document(s) and Passport Copies

If you are admitted and plan to attend USC on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will need to receive an I-20/DS-2019 from our office. It is not necessary to submit your financial documents and a copy of your passport for your program to review your application. However, doing so early in the application process will help prevent possible delays in processing your I-20/DS-2019 after you certify your intent to enroll.

7.Track Your Application Status

After your application and official academic records have been submitted, please allow our admission processing center approximately 15 business days to match your transcript(s) to your application in our database.

Check the email address you provided on the application regularly. All notifications regarding missing transcripts and other materials required to complete our evaluation will be emailed to you.

8.View Your Decision

Once the admission committee for your intended program of study has completed the review process, the Office of Graduate Admission will notify you by email that your admission decision is available. Please follow the instructions on the email to register for an account and view your admission decision at you.usc.edu.

9.Please note: Admission decisions are made by individual academic departments and schools, not by the Office of Graduate Admission. Most students seeking admission to the fall term receive admission decisions by June. Students seeking admission to the spring term usually receive admission decisions by December.