University of Southern California (USC) Undergraduate Admissions Guide

At Kim Consulting, we provide tailored admissions consulting services for international students aiming for top U.S. universities—including the University of Southern California (USC), a prestigious private institution located in Los Angeles. With students from over 130 countries, USC is a truly global campus and a competitive choice for undergraduate applicants.

This guide outlines key admissions information for first-year applicants, especially international students.

📌 Application Deadlines

Early Decision (ED)

• Available for: Applicants to Marshall School of Business

• Deadline: November 1

• Binding: Yes (students must enroll if admitted)

• Benefit: ED applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships

Regular Decision (RD)

• Portfolio/audition majors: December 1

• All other majors: January 10

📝 Required Documents

• Common Application

• Official high school transcript

• One teacher recommendation

• (Optional) SAT or ACT scores

• Major-specific supplements (portfolio, resume, etc.)

• Mid-year grade report

• Application affirmations

• Additional materials for international students

🌍 International Student Requirements

Student Status

• Students applying with F-1, E-2, H-2, L-2 visas are considered international

• DACA and undocumented students are not considered international for admissions purposes

Academic Records

• Transcripts must reflect coursework equivalent to U.S. grades 9–12

• Original transcripts must be sent directly from the school or issuing body

• English translations are required for all non-English documents

English ProficiencyIf English is not your native language, one of the following test scores is required:

• TOEFL iBT: 100+ (minimum 20 in each section)

• IELTS: 7.0+

• PTE: 68+

• Duolingo English Test: 130+ (must take a USC placement test after admission)

• SAT ERW 650+ or ACT English 27+ may also fulfill the requirement

Financial Documentation

• USC does not offer need-based financial aid to international students

• Required: Proof of funding (e.g., bank statements, sponsorship letters, or certified education loans)

• Tax documents, real estate records, or salary statements are not accepted

🎨 Major-Specific Requirements

Certain schools within USC require additional materials. Be sure to review requirements if applying to:

• School of Cinematic Arts

• Roski School of Art and Design

• Kaufman School of Dance

• Thornton School of Music

• School of Architecture

🗓 Application Tips

• USC does not conduct interviews

• All international applications must be submitted via USC’s official admissions portal

• Scholarships are highly competitive and do not cover full tuition

📈 Rankings Snapshot (2025)

• National Universities (U.S. News & World Report): #27 (tied with UNC Chapel Hill)

• QS World University Rankings: #125

Top Programs (Niche Rankings):

• Communication: #1 in the U.S.

• Design: #2

• Film & Photography: #2

• Business: #5

• Architecture: #6

• Computer Science & Engineering: Top 20

🎯 Why Kim Consulting?

Kim Consulting is led by an Ivy League–educated admissions expert with years of hands-on experience in both Seoul and the U.S. We specialize in helping students gain admission to elite universities through personalized, strategy-driven consulting.

From academic planning and essay editing to interview prep and scholarship navigation, we provide a fully remote, one-on-one service tailored to each student’s profile.