what do i need to do to transfer to usc
The Academy of Southern California (USC) is a highly-ranked private school located in Los Angeles, and, as a result, it draws thousands of qualified applicants each year. If you're applying hither, you are probably wondering what the USC admissions requirements are and what yous'll need to stand up out equally an applicant. In this article, we explain how to get into USC, offering yous specific tips for what you tin can better in your awarding. Only first, how hard is it to get into USC? Feature Image: Ken Lund/Flickr USC is a very selective academy with an acceptance rate of just under 12%—this means fewer than ane in 8 students gets accepted. Here's how USC'south official news website describes its educatee trunk: "Average GPA held steady at an impressive 3.88 unweighted, with more than a third earning straight A's throughout high schoolhouse." Looking at this data alone, we can say with confidence that it's generally pretty difficult to get into USC. Then what kind of applicants is USC looking for? Allow's take a look. Because USC is so competitive, and because there are so many applicants applying each year, this school is looking for the best of the all-time when it comes to applicants. Here's what USC writes about applicants on its website: "We expect for those students we believe volition thrive at USC. Our application process is designed to discover your private story, so that we might come across how y'all would take advantage of the many opportunities available at USC. … We will review your operation in schoolhouse, the rigor of your program, writing skills and test scores. Nosotros likewise consider personal qualities, equally revealed in community involvement, leadership and achievements." In addition to stiff numbers (i.east., test scores and grades/GPA), USC wishes to acknowledge applicants with strong "personal qualities." These qualities tin be illuminated through either bookish or non-academic accomplishments, community service/volunteer efforts, or leadership experiences (for example, perhaps you're the captain of the track team or you once organized a successful food drive at your school). As PrepScholar co-founder and perfect Sabbatum/Act scorer Allen Cheng discusses in his detailed guide to getting into Harvard, USC, like Harvard and other top schools, prefers applicants with "spikes" in their extracurriculars—those with strong passions for specific activities or interests. After all, with USC's over lx,000 applicants each year, you'll definitely need something to help your application stand up out! Here's how USC describes its near successful students to give you more of an thought of what they're looking for in applicants: "USC students pursue ambitious intellectual and professional person goals by studying beyond disciplines and taking advantage of the diverseness of programs available. They are willing to venture outside their condolement zones. They are interested in the world, in other peoples and cultures, and enjoy examining of import problems from a global perspective." As yous can see, USC is looking for applicants who aren't just academically gifted but who are also willing to claiming their limits, learn about new fields, and assume a global perspective. Unlike many other private and prestigious universities, USC does non offer an early action/early conclusion programme to first-yr students. Therefore, anyone applying to USC must exercise then by the aforementioned deadline (refer to the adjacent section for more information on of import dates). While you tin can't utilize early on to USC, if USC is indeed your showtime-selection school, it'due south a smart idea to tell the admissions committee this and then they can note it in your application. Here's what USC admissions expert Joe Beltran recommends applicants do in the case USC is their first choice: "Students often inquire me how they can let the admission office know that USC is their first option. Information technology's simple: Merely tell us. Tell us in your awarding, over e-mail, phone or in person. And we make note of that. We add these things to your files if yous inquire the states to, and we keep them in mind likewise."* *Bold accent mine Although y'all tin't apply early to USC to demonstrate your involvement in attending the university, yous can (and definitely should) let the admissions commission know virtually your interest in it so they tin take this into consideration as they sift through the thousands of applications they get. All freshman applicants to USC must utilise through the Common Application. Here'due south a checklist of all the major USC admission requirements: As indicated above, certain schools and programs at USC require additional materials from applicants. The following table shows the schools and programs that require supplementary documents and information (in addition to all the components listed to a higher place): *Exact supplementary materials required for admission volition vary depending on the major. Now, let's take a wait at all the major USC deadlines , ordered from soonest to latest. Freshman application deadline (this is the regular freshman application borderline without merit scholarship consideration) (For freshman applicants) Last day by which merit scholarship notifications will exist sent out Transfer application borderline for all other programs (For freshman applicants) Fiscal aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS contour applications (For transfer applicants) Financial aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS profile applications (For freshman applicants) Last day by which concluding admission notifications will exist sent out (For transfer applicants) Last 24-hour interval past which final admission notifications will be sent out (For transfer applicants) Last solar day by which scholarship status notifications will be sent out At present that you know the logistics of applying, let's accept a look at how to get into USC. What do you demand in your application to increment your take chances of getting into USC, one of the most prestigious colleges in the country? Admitted applicants to USC typically have very stiff GPAs. For the fall 2021 class, the 25th/75th percentile high school GPA range was iii.75-4.0. This means that the majority of admitted applicants had relatively potent grades, getting mostly or all Every bit and possibly a few Bs. If your GPA is beneath 3.75, you'll virtually probable have a more hard fourth dimension getting into USC. Therefore, it's best to aim equally high equally you tin, preferably at to the lowest degree around a three.85, so y'all will be well higher up average but won't endure too desperately if you get a B in 1 or two classes. If yous're having problem maintaining a high GPA, figure out which classes are bringing down your grades and and so consider spending more than time studying for those classes or hiring a tutor to give you lot the actress support y'all need. Another important aspect USC wants to see in applicants is show of a strong and challenging class load. Ideal applicants will take taken a fair share of AP, honors, and/or IB classes. Here'south how USC describes its ideal applicants on its undergraduate admissions website: "No specific curriculum is prescribed or required, though students offered admission typically pursue the most rigorous program bachelor to them in English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language and the arts. Careful attention is paid to training for the intended major." In add-on to doing well in classes, potent applicants will have excelled in a rigorous academic program, especially in classes relevant to their intended majors. If you're a junior or younger and haven't taken any challenging courses yet, try to sign upwards for some AP, honors, or IB classes the post-obit academic twelvemonth and for each subsequent year you're in high school. It'southward best to choose challenging classes that focus on the fields in which you're already strong or have a large interest in studying. For example, if yous're a science buff, you could accept AP Bio or AP Physics. While y'all don't need to brand every class you take a super hard one, aim to take about three to 5 upper-level classes each schoolhouse year, at the very least starting your inferior year. This doesn't necessarily mean you must have the AP tests that go with these courses, though it'due south not a bad thought to do so since information technology might earn you some college credit! Note: For students applying during 2021-2022, USC is examination-optional. For the 2020-2021 awarding year, 47% of applicants submitted SAT or Human action scores. However, y'all may still desire to consider submitting test scores if you have especially high scores, or if yous feel your scores stand for your abilities ameliorate than your GPA. In full general, USC expects fairly high Sabbatum/ACT scores from strong applicants. Beneath are the middle 50%, or boilerplate, score ranges* for both the Sat and Human action for the fall 2019 USC freshman grade: SAT Human action *The lower score in each range is the 25th percentile (meaning 25% of applicants or fewer got this score), and the college score is the 75th percentile (significant 75% or fewer got this score). Clearly, you'll demand to have a pretty high SAT/Human activity score in guild to be considered a competitive bidder to USC. For the Sabbatum, most applicants have a minimum score of 1420, or the 95th percentile nationally. Meanwhile, for the Human activity, near applicants accept a minimum score of 31, or the 95th percentile nationally. In other words, you'll need to score in the top 5% of examination takers in gild to run into simply the 25th percentile score at USC. Although getting a score below USC's 25th percentile threshold doesn't automatically mean you'll exist rejected, it does point that it'll probable be harder for you to become into USC unless you accept other significantly impressive qualities. If you lot don't meet this "minimum" threshold (1420 on the SAT and 31 on the ACT), the best class of action is to endeavor to raise your SAT/Human action score. 1 fashion to do this is to make an SAT/Human action study plan that caters to your weaknesses. I also recommend checking out our guides for some tips on how to increase your SAT or ACT score. If you adopt having more hands-on guidance in your exam prep, consider using our online Sabbatum or Human action prep program, which is 100% customized to your test-prep needs and includes realistic questions written by real top scorers. In addition to the Common App essay, you're required to write two shorter essays equally function of the USC Writing Supplement. Each essay must be no longer than 250 words, or about half the length of a typical college admissions essay. For the start USC essay, yous must choose one of three prompts to respond to: USC believes that i learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell u.s.a. about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your behavior were challenged past another point of view. Please discuss the significance of the feel and its event on y'all. USC faculty identify an emphasis on interdisciplinary bookish opportunities. Depict something exterior of your intended academic focus nigh which yous are interested in learning. What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding y'all? Choose the prompt that appeals to you the most and that you'll be able to respond to easily and effectively. For the commencement prompt, you should write about a specific incident in which a conventionalities or opinion of yours was challenged. The fundamental here is to focus on your reaction and what this particular incident taught yous virtually yourself. This could be a political stance, a religious conventionalities, or a personal opinion on a social issue. The second prompt is all about a field outside your intended major that you're also interested in studying. This is a corking opportunity to hash out how you became interested in this particular field and what you might do with it in the future. For example, maybe you lot plan to major in computer science but take recently realized, by taking a required art class, that you as well have a stiff interest in learning about the history of paintings. The third essay prompt is quite broad and allows you to talk about anything you feel is of import for the USC admissions committee to know near you. You could introduce a specific involvement, skill, or experience yous have, or fifty-fifty offer an caption for a trouble in your academic record, such equally a dip in your grades one semester or a below-average SAT score. In improver to this showtime essay, you'll have to write a second essay for the USC Writing Supplement. This essay just has one prompt (so y'all don't go a choice hither!): Describe how you program to pursue your academic interests and why yous want to explore them at USC specifically. Delight feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. This essay prompt simply wants to know what you program to major in at USC and how you lot'll achieve your academic goals as a student. Basically, what'southward the intellectual path you expect to take at USC? For case, if you program to major in English, you could write about how you intend to take a more than interdisciplinary approach by integrating foreign literature classes into your form load. Overall, in order to ensure y'all're submitting two excellent essays to USC, be sure to employ specific details, be honest nearly your experiences and feelings, and edit and proofread each essay before sending it in. Get more expert tips by reading our guide to the USC supplement. It's besides important to note that some programs and schools crave additional essays or curt answers. For case, those applying to the School of Architecture must answer extra questions in the Architecture Writing Supplement. These school-specific essays are just as of import as, if non more than, the 3 general USC essays you must write. Why? Because these essays ask you even more than specific questions that relate to your intended field of study. Thus, you'll need to be able to clearly explain exactly why y'all're interested in the field/programme/school you're applying to. Some programs at USC crave the submission of artistic portfolios along with the more general requirements listed above. If a portfolio is required, it'll likely be one of the most important parts of your application. Brand sure your portfolio follows all instructions, is 100% original, and is emblematic of your own creative heed, abilities, and goals. Here are all the schools at USC that require the submission of a portfolio: USC is a great college in California, only it's non the merely one there! If you want to attend higher in the Aureate State, you'll benefit from learning how to apply to the UC schools and getting info on the cheapest colleges in California. How does USC's selectivity compare with those of other top colleges? Get the reply in our guide to the about selective schools in the nation! USC likely isn't the only school you lot're applying to. Check out our guides to learn more about how to go into Columbia and how to get into NYU. Want to get into USC or your personal top pick college? Nosotros tin aid. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our information-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students go into their height selection schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Learn more nigh PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. 
How Hard Is It to Get Into USC?
What USC Looks For in Applicants
Can You Utilise Early Activeness or Early Decision to USC?
Don't hide your truthful feelings—if USC is your kickoff choice for college, allow them know! Getting Into USC: Logistics and Deadlines
School/Program Required Supplementary Materials School of Architecture Portfolio, Architecture Writing Supplement Roski School of Art and Design Art/Design Essay, list of creative experiences, portfolio Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Engineering and the Business of Innovation Proposal video, portfolio, interview (if selected) Marshall Schoolhouse of Business — World Bachelor in Business organisation Program Video introduction, Globe Bachelor's Business written prompts (on USC Writing Supplement) USC School of Cinematic Arts* Cinematic Arts Personal Statement, writing sample, creative work sample/portfolio, creative portfolio listing, video/photograph sample, video introduction, aspirational portfolio, image essay, audio portrait, autobiographical graphic symbol sketch, creative challenges, "Most Challenging Moment" task, project question, collaboration question Glorya Kaufman School of Trip the light fantastic toe Portfolio, which includes: dance resume, brusque answer, video response to a question, two video solos and descriptions, three video demonstrations, two photographs (a head shot and an activeness shot), live audition (if selected, depending on COVID-19 situation) USC Schoolhouse of Dramatic Arts* Headshot, drama resume, "Take 3" image task, alphabetic character from drama teacher/coach, essay questions, creative submission, pre-screening audition videos, live audience (depending on COVID-19 situation) Thornton School of Music Portfolio, music resume, repertoire listing, introductory video (certain majors just), audition recording, live audition (if selected, depending on COVID-19 situation) December i, 2021
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Heed these next tips so you tin be the happy face. USC Admission Requirements: 5 Tips for Getting In
#1: Become a High GPA
#2: Have a Rigorous, Challenging Course Load
Strong test scores—and perchance super strong dorsum muscles—will definitely catch USC's centre. #three: Earn Strong SAT/Deed Scores
#four: Write Excellent Essays
A nifty tip to remember as I write my all-time-selling novel you write your USC essays. #5: Craft an Impressive Portfolio (Required for Certain Programs)
What's Next?
Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the Academy of Michigan and holds a bachelor'south degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English language in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate virtually teaching, writing, and travel.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-usc