University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a major private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Known for its top-ranked programs in film, business, engineering, and communications, USC offers students a vibrant urban campus and extensive interdisciplinary opportunities.
Acceptance rate
11%
Undergrad enrollment
21,000
Test policy
Test optional
Application fee
$85
Application deadlines
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early DecisionEarly Decision deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| Early ActionEarly Action deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| ScholarshipMerit scholarship priority deadline (EA/ED) | November 1, 2026 |
| Regular DecisionRegular Decision portfolio/audition majors deadline | December 1, 2026 |
| ScholarshipMerit scholarship priority deadline for performing arts | December 1, 2026 |
| TransferTransfer deadline for visual and performing arts majors | December 1, 2026 |
| Regular DecisionRegular Decision deadline for all other majors | January 10, 2027 |
| TransferTransfer deadline for all other majors | February 15, 2027 |
| Financial AidPriority financial aid deadline | March 2, 2027 |
Supplemental essay prompts
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break.
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about?
The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why.