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University of Southern California

Application Requirements

University of Southern California
National College Match Application Requirements
for College Match Finalists

 

If you have ranked USC as one of your choices for the QuestBridge National College Match, the following Application and Financial Aid materials must be submitted to the college as soon as you are notified of your finalist status on October 22. It is highly recommended that you begin this process in early October.

  • The deadline to submit these requirements is November 1, 2012.
  • If you do not submit the required materials by November 1, 2012, USC may choose not to consider your application for the College Match.
  • If you are not selected as a National College Match Finalist, please review the college-specific requirements for QuestBridge students who wish to apply through the Regular Decision process.
  • Please note: If you ranked USC for the College Match, but are not matched with USC or another binding college, and you have sumbitted all required materials, your application will be automatically considered for Regular Decision

 
If there are any additional questions, please refer to the FAQ for QuestBridge students applying to USC.

Required Application Materials
1.

USC Supplement to the Common Application
Access and submit the USC Supplement to the Common Application here.
2.

Official test scores
Request official score reports from the College Board and/or ACT as soon as you are notified of your QuestBridge finalist status on October 22. You should not use the "rush reporting" service.
SAT code: 4852
ACT code: 0470
For more information about testing and testing deadlines click here.
3.

Official transcripts 
Mail to:
Office of Admission
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California 90089–0911
4.

Supplemental applications, if necessary
Students applying to programs in Architecture, Fine Arts, and Cinematic Arts must submit supplemental application materials.  See the USC Supplement to the Common App for details.  Students applying to BFA Theatre majors or BM programs in the Thornton School of Music will not be considered for the Match process.

 

Required Financial Aid Materials
1.

2013-2014 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
CSS PROFILE online
(Available October 1)
USC's CSS Code: 4852
2.

A copy of your parents' 2011 federal income tax returns (signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2s and other earnings statement). Include personal and corporate/partnership tax returns. Submit directly to USC using this cover sheet. Mail or fax to:
USC Financial Aid Office
University of Southern California
700 Childs Way
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0914
Fax: (213) 821-3717

**If your parents did not file federal taxes in 2011, please submit this form.
3.

The USC Parent Income and Expense Form
Submit this form to USC Financial Aid. 
4.

If you parents are divorced or separated:
Your noncustodial parent must submit the online Noncustodial PROFILE using the login ID and password that will be sent to you when you complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
5.

If you do not have any contact with your noncustodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Your request must include a statement from a third party who can verify your situation. The Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition is available online at http://www.questbridge.org/images/ncp_waiver.pdf.

 

 

University of Southern California
Regular Decision Application Requirements

You may apply to USC via Regular Decision by completing the steps below.

  • Request Regular Decision application forwarding on your "Application Status" page between November 30th and December 14th.
  • Submit all required additional materials depending on your status below.
  • All additional materials are due by the USC Regular Decision deadline, and you will be notified of the admissions decision according to their normal deadlines.
  • Please note: If you ranked USC for the College Match, but are not matched with USC or another binding college, and you have sumbitted all required materials, your application will be automatically considered for Regular Decision

 

Question Finalists - Ranked USC for College Match Finalists - Did Not Rank USC for College Match Non-Finalist
Can I use my QuestBridge application in lieu of your regular application?

Yes.
Request that QuestBridge forward your application to USC.

If you ranked USC for the College Match, submitted all required materials, and have not been matched at a binding school, you will automatically be considered for Regular Decision and for merit scholarships.

No.
Use the Common App with USC Supplement

No.
Use the Common App with USC Supplement
What additional materials do I need to submit? More info

If you have already sent the USC Supplement and your transcript and test scores to USC as part of your College Match application, you do not need to re-submit them.		 More info More info
Is the application fee waived? Yes.
In the "Payments" section of the Common Application, select "Other" under "Acceptable Fee Waiver."		 Yes.
In the "Payments" section of the Common Application, select "Other" under "Acceptable Fee Waiver."

No.
Students may request fee waivers through their guidance counselors or the College Board.
What financial aid forms are required?
  • CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
  • FAFSA
  • Parent and Student 2012 Tax returns (or non-filing statement)
More info
  • CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
  • FAFSA
  • Parent and Student 2012 Tax returns (or non-filing statement)
More info
  • CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
  • FAFSA
  • Parent and Student 2012 Tax returns (or non-filing statement)
More info
What are the application deadlines? Merit Scholarships: Dec. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 10
More info

Some schools have earlier deadlines and supplemental material requirements.		 Merit Scholarships: Dec. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 10
More info

Some schools have earlier deadlines and supplemental material requirements. 

Merit Scholarships: Dec. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 10
More info

 

Some schools have earlier deadlines and supplemental material requirements. 
Can I apply Early Decision? No.
USC does not offer an Early Decision application option.		 No.
USC does not offer an Early Decision application option.

No.
USC does not offer an Early Decision application option.

 

 

USC's Testing Requirements

Each of our partner colleges has different requirements for standardized tests that students must take in order to be considered for admission. Please review the testing requirements for USC below. Refer to the National College Match Requirements (above) for instructions regarding submission of test scores to the colleges.

Must take one of the following:

  • SAT Reasoning Test; or
  • ACT with Writing


*If homeschooled, must take 3 additional SAT Subject Tests, including one in Mathematics.

** TOEFL is required of International students whose native language is not English, who also score lower than 600 on SAT Critical Reading, or 27 on ACT English.

Please see our Standardized Testing page for a complete list of the standardized tests and testing deadlines required by each QuestBridge partner college.