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USC Undergraduate Admission Blog

Planning Your Transfer to USC

This is a long read, but our hope is it will leave you feeling empowered and ready to navigate the USC transfer process! The key to a successful transfer to USC is good planning. This guide will provide a breakdown of how to plan your course of study and prepare a strong transfer application to USC.  We also highly recommend attending a Transfer Information Session which are available in-person or online.  

While there are no guarantees in the USC admission process, we would like to share what is typical of our successful transfer applicants. This is by no means prescriptive as we review our applicants holistically. However, planning a course of study that mirrors the academic experience and rigor of a USC student as closely as possible will help you stay on track and maximize your chances of admission. 

There are three primary elements of preparing a strong course of study:  

Priority #1: Maintain full-time enrollment in academic, transferable coursework  

USC students typically enroll in 16 units of academic work per semester, which is usually 4 classes. A significant aspect of showing preparation for USC is demonstrated ability to be successful in full-time academic coursework. 

Competitive candidates typically complete 14-16 transferable units per term, typically four classes per term.   

We understand that some students are unable to maintain consistent full-time enrollment due to obligations at work or home. If this applies, you should explain your part-time status (along with any other necessary context, such as gaps in enrollment) in your application.  

Priority #2: Degree Progress: Planning your Course of Study  

There are a few resources that you should utilize to identify and select the courses that you should take at your current school. 

Transferring to USC Brochure : A detailed overview of the process of transferring to USC, particularly useful for its list of recommended and required courses by major on pages 12-15 and explanation of USC’s transfer credit policies on page 16. 

Articulation agreement : Agreements provide lists of courses from most California community colleges that will be accepted for transfer credit. These lists indicate what courses that fulfill General Education, as well as equivalents to lower-division courses.  

Articulation history : Histories list courses previously evaluated and accepted for transfer credit from schools without official agreements . However, we cannot guarantee courses will transfer the same way again. If courses are not listed on the history, this means they have not yet been reviewed and may or may not transfer.  

When selecting courses to take prior to transferring to USC, here’s what your course priorities should be (in order of importance): 

Complete minimum requirements for transfer:   

The first order of business is to make sure to successfully complete our minimum requirements. We have two requirements you must satisfy by the conclusion of the spring in which you apply in order to receive admission consideration.  

A. Complete a course equivalent to the lower-division writing requirement at USC: WRIT 130 (also known as WRIT 150 when taken at USC). 

If there is a course equivalent at your school, it will be found under Part I of your school’s Articulation document (example shown below). If your school does not offer a course equivalent to USC’s lower-division Writing course, this requirement can be waived for admission purposes. 

*The example shown above indicates there are two possible courses available at this school that are likely to fulfill the writing requirement: ENGLISH 2 or ENGLISH 31.   

B. Mastery of Algebra II in high school, or Intermediate Algebra in college with a grade of C or better. This is a minimum math requirement; many majors will require higher level math. 

Courses for your major:   

After ensuring you’ve met our minimum admission requirements, your next priority should be completing equivalent courses at your current institution that are required and/or recommended for your intended major at USC. The Transferring to USC brochure lists these courses on pages 12-15.  

You should cross-reference the Additional Coursework by Major section with Part II: Course-to-Course Equivalencies of your institution’s articulation document 

 For example, the equivalent of USC’s Math 118 or Math 125 are required for admission consideration for the Marshall School of Business. A Business Administration applicant may find the course(s) at their institution that are granted equivalency to USC’s calculus courses under Part II of their school’s Articulation document.  

If your institution does not offer an equivalent course, you should take the course that most closely aligns with the recommendation or requirement described in the brochure. 

USC’s General Education (GE) Curriculum   

Next up, you should prioritize the completion of courses that satisfy USC’s GE requirements. All USC students are required to complete the GE curriculum in order to graduate from USC. There are TEN courses across EIGHT different categories. The maximum number you can complete prior to transferring is EIGHT as TWO courses must be completed at USC. You are not required to complete all eight; however, you should be making strong progress.  

California community college: Part I of your Articulation agreement will provide a clear list of the various courses available at your school that fulfill GE categories at USC  

If you don’t attend a college with an articulation agreement or comprehensive articulation history, use the Transferring to USC brochure examples of acceptable courses by name for USC’s GE categories. Do your best to select courses that mirror those listed as acceptable in the brochure. 

*Make sure you’re looking at the right GE requirements, as students who began college prior to fall 2015 have a link at the top of the articulation document to view their GE courses). 

Foreign language and Electives  

Certain majors at USC require a third level of a foreign language for graduation . This will be indicated by a red checkmark in the Transferring to USC Brochure. By starting your foreign language progression early in college, you will be in a better position to graduate on time from USC.  

If you’ve completed all the available courses at your institution to meet our requirements and the recommended courses for your major, you should make sure your remaining courses are transferable for elective credit. These can be found under Part III of your articulation document (example below).  

Priority #3: Strong Academic Performance :   

In 2022, the average college GPA of admitted transfer students to USC was a 3.83. Keep in mind, this is an average. We take other factors into account when reviewing a transcript, such as academic trajectory and trend in grades. Many transfer students with a positive grade trend are admitted to USC who fall under that average. Please be aware we do not honor other schools’ academic “renewal” or “forgiveness” programs that permit students to improve a substandard grade. Outside of COVID grading policies, you should also avoid pass/no pass grades. It is recommended to take a course for a letter grade if that is an option. Finally, make sure to avoid course withdrawals resulting in Ws. 

The Application Process  

Our application review process at USC is holistic. Evaluation of transfer applications is based on different factors, including progress toward intended degree, academic performance, and the non-academic components of a transfer application – especially the supplemental auditions or portfolios required by some majors . 

The Common Application: All Transfer applicants to USC must apply using the Common Application. Once in USC’s application, click Program Materials > Questions, and then indicate which is your first and your second choice major, if you have a second choice.  You must apply directly to a major at USC.  

Application Deadlines: Most transfer applicants have until February 15 to submit their application to USC. If you are applying to the Iovine and Young Academy; Kaufman School of Dance; Thornton School of Music; or to BFA programs in either the School of Cinematic Arts or School of Dramatic Arts you must submit your application by December 1. All transfer applicants who have a complete application submitted by their intended program’s deadline will be considered for the Transfer Merit Scholarship.  

Official final high school transcript: Submit an official final high school transcript showing graduation date. If you did not finish high school, you should submit transcripts showing any grades received before leaving, as well as a copy of completion certificate (such as a GED).  

Official college transcripts: Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges you have attended (regardless of whether coursework or degree requirements were completed). To be considered official, transcripts must be sent to USC directly from your school. Self-uploaded copies are not considered official.  

Application Fee Waivers: If the application fee is a financial burden, you can select the fee waiver option in the My Application section of Common App. USC school-specific fee waiver options can be found in the Program Materials section of the Common Application. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid: All transfer applicants submitting their application by February 15 will be considered for the Transfer Merit Scholarship. Other scholarships are also available but may require a separate application. Visit our website for more details. We also offer need-based financial aid at USC. To be considered for need-based financial aid, prospective transfer students must submit FAFSA* and the CSS Profile by March 2. California residents should also apply for Cal Grants by March 2.  

* Undocumented or DACA students should submit their 2022 tax return and third-party letter confirming undocumented status instead of the FAFSA.  

Additional Materials: A portfolio, audition, and/or additional writing samples may be required by some majors . When you select your major(s) on the common application, any additional requirements for your major will also populate.  

International Applicants: All international transfer applicants must submit a Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support.   International students whose native language is not English must also demonstrate English-language proficiency . 

Application Timeline: Transfer candidates will receive either an admission decision or a request for spring grades by May 31. If you receive a request for spring grades, you will be notified of an admission decision by mid-July. 

We hope this guide has been helpful. For further guidance, you should check out this the USC Office of Admission – Transfer Applicants page or attend a transfer information session either in-person or online. You may also reach out to your admission counselor for additional questions.  We wish you the very best of luck and look forward to reading your application!  

Looking for more transfer-related blogs? Check out these blogs posts Tips For Your USC Transfer Application , USC’s Glossary of Transfer Applicant Terms , and Will My Courses Transfer?  

Written by: Chelsea Kaufman, Associate Director - USC Office of Admission

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We Can Help You Get Here

Steps to transfer, our transfer students come to usc from a wide array of paths and backgrounds..

We know that people are unique and we appreciate the wide variety of paths students take to become Trojan Engineers.  There is no set formula to be admitted, you have a story to tell and we want to hear it.

Admission to the Viterbi School is determined through a comprehensive review of the entire admission application.  We strive to get to know you, your interests, and goals by reading your entire application.  While all factors are important, the most influential factor is your academic history. Remember, you can transfer to USC after just one year of study elsewhere.

There is no minimum GPA required to apply .  However, to be a competitive candidate for admission you should engage in the right courses, challenge yourself and demonstrate academic success, particularly in math, science/programming, and engineering related courses.

If you would like to hear about the school and the transfer process from a Viterbi admission counselor, click the link below to attend one of our Transfer Info Sessions.

Step 1: Transfer Requirements

Step 2: transfer plans, step 3: transferable courses, step 4: apply, step 5: financial aid, do you want to stay connected with the viterbi office of admission sign up to receive information and updates, step 1: requirements & guidelines.

Below, you will find a list of requirements to apply to transfer to USC Viterbi. Keep in mind that you can be enrolled in a required course when you apply–you don’t need to have it completed. If you have a question, scroll down to see a list of our most frequently asked questions about requirements and guidelines.

• Two math courses (either calculus or higher level math beyond calculus) after high school with a minimum of Calculus II in-progress at the point of application.
• Two lab-based science courses (either chemistry, biology, or calculus-based physics) or programming courses. **See note below for computer science students.
• The equivalent of WRIT 130/WRIT 150 (Required). This is typically the second course in your college or university’s English composition sequence. You can look up your school’s equivalent to WRIT 130/WRIT 150 on the articulation websites. See Step 3 for the correct link.
• Generally, this means taking a math class, science/programming class, writing class, and GE each semester/quarter. GEs, however, are not required, so you can take an extra math or science/programming class instead if you would prefer.
• If you have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester units, we will still review your application, but we will use your high school transcript as part of our evaluation and/or wait to receive your spring-term grades.

*Please visit the articulation websites in Step 3 to identify how many semesters are needed to meet these equivalents.

Quick FAQ about Requirements and Recommendations

I already took calc ii. what should i take next.

Take a look at the Transfer Plans for your intended major. You can find those in Step 2 below. Then, choose the next math course in the sequence. For example, if your intended major is computer science, and already took Calc II, take Calc III. If you already took Calc III, take Linear Algebra & Differential equations. If you have taken every math class in your 4-Year Course Plan (course plans start on page 18 of the undergraduate handbook) then feel free to take a science class or a General Education class instead. Not sure if your current institution has an equivalent class? Check our articulation histories (a list of courses which have transferred to USC in the past) in Step 3 .

I already took two semesters of a lab-based science. What should I take next?

Check the Transfer Plan for your intended major to see if there are other science courses you could take for your degree. You can find those in Step 2 below. For example, if your intended major is Biomedical Engineering, and already took two semesters of chemistry, you could take the next two chemistry courses in the sequence, or start working on your biology courses. If you already took every science class in your 4-year Course Plan (course plans start on page 18 of the undergraduate handbook),  then feel free to take another math class or a General Education class instead. Not sure if your current institution has an equivalent class? Check our articulation histories (a list of courses which have transferred to USC in the past) in Step 3 .

*Note that computer science students may also take programming courses instead of, or in addition to, lab-based science courses before applying to transfer to USC. Please visit the section on programming courses for more information.

How Many General Education Courses do I need to take?

General Education (GE) courses are not required for admission. You might, however, still want to take one so that you have a full schedule. You can find courses at your current institution which will transfer to USC for GE credit in Step 3 below.

In general, which courses should I take to stand out as an applicant?

Since math and science courses are the foundation of engineering, we want to see you excel in these areas. If you have already followed the list of requirements and guidelines above, and you need one more class to complete your schedule, and you’re not sure which one to choose, picking a challenging math class won’t hurt.

I took AP/IB courses in high school. Will these waive requirements?

For a list of AP, IB, and A-Level courses which transfer to USC for course credit, please see our credit page. Note that there is a section on that page that will give you more information about how certain majors can receive credit for AP Physics C.

Do I need to submit SAT/ACT Scores?

If you have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester units by the end of the spring term, we will need further information for our decision from your high school record and/or SAT or ACT scores (if you choose to submit them). Please note that applicants to the 2023-2024 academic year are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, although you may still submit scores if you wish.

What are the requirements for 2nd Bachelor's candidates?

Second bachelor’s candidates have the same requirements as regular transfer students. Please see the 2nd Bachelor’s page for more information.

What are the requirements for 3+2 students?

Please see our 3+2 page for a guide to the 3+2 program.

The most common question we get is: Which courses should I take before I transfer? This is where transfer plans come into play. Use the buttons below to find a one-year course plan for your major.

See a sample transfer plan for all engineering majors (excluding Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science)

See a sample transfer plan for Computer Science Majors

See a sample transfer plan for Electrical & Computer Engineering Majors

Transfer Plans for All Engineering Majors

(Excluding Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science)

FALL SCHEDULE FOR ALL ENGINEERING MAJORS ( Excluding Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science )

Review an articulation history or agreement to see if your school offers equivalents to the USC Courses in these sample plans.

SPRING SCHEDULE FOR ALL ENGINEERING MAJORS ( Excluding Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science )

Register for a Transfer Info Session

Transfer Plans for Electrical & Computer Engineering Majors

Fall schedule for electrical & computer engineering majors, spring schedule for electrical & computer engineering majors, transfer plans for computer science majors.

Select the Computer Science major you’re interested in below to see your appropriate plan

• Computer Science
• Computer Science (Games)
• Computer Science/Business Admin.
• Computer Engineering & Computer Sci.

FALL SCHEDULE : Computer Science

Spring schedule : computer science, fall schedule : computer science (games), spring schedule : computer science (games), fall schedule : computer science/business administration, spring schedule : computer science/business administration, fall schedule : computer engineering & computer science, spring schedule : computer engineering & computer science, programming courses.

Computer science students may take programming courses instead of, or in addition to, lab-based science courses before applying to transfer to USC. While programming courses very rarely transfer for course-equivalent credit at USC, they can be good preparation for placement exams. If a student does well enough on a placement exam for a particular course at USC, the student may be able to waive that course requirement. Below, you will find programming courses which have a placement exam and/or accept AP credit.

CSCI 102 Fundamentals of Computation Fundamental concepts of algorithmic thinking as a primer to programming. Introduction to C++.

• No Prerequisite.
• AP Computer Science A Score of 4 or 5 will substitute for CSCI 102.
• Placement Exam Option: Students with some programming exposure in any of the following languages are welcome to take the exam: C/C++, Java(script), or Python.
• Course website: http://bytes.usc.edu/cs102/

CSCI 103 Introduction to Programming Basic datatypes, assignments, control statements (if, switch, for, while), input/ output (printf, scanf, cin, cout), functions, arrays, structures, recursion, dynamic memory, file handling. Programming in C/C++.

• Prerequisite: CSCI 102
• Placement Exam Option: Students with a semester-length intro course in C++ are strong candidates for this placement exam.
• Course website: http://bytes.usc.edu/cs103/

CSCI 170 Discrete Methods in Computer Science Sets, functions, series. Big-O notation and algorithm analysis. Propositional and first-order logic. Counting and discrete probability. Graphs and basic graph algorithms. Basic number theory.

• Transfer students with a prior discrete math course will have their course evaluated by the USC articulation department and the CSCI faculty. Most transfer students should expect to take our discrete math course.

CSCI 104 Data Structures and Object Oriented Design Introduces the student to standard data structures (linear structures such as linked lists, (balanced) trees, priority queues, and hashtables), using the C++ programming language.

• Prerequisites: CSCI 170 and CSCI 103
• Students must complete the CSCI 103 programming placement examination and follow the petition procedures to request that the USC articulation department review any courses for which a given student hopes to receive credit for CSCI 104. The articulation department will, in turn, request a CSCI faculty member to review the student’s syllabi and programming assignments, copies of exams if available, etc. and make a determination if the course covered the necessary topics and was of the appropriate rigor. In some cases, the student may need to complete assignments from CSCI 104 and/or take the final exam to demonstrate proficiency in the course. Most transfer students should expect to complete CSCI 104 at USC.
• Course website: http://bytes.usc.edu/cs104/

Transferring courses for credit at USC.

In this section, you will find our articulation histories and agreements with other universities. “Articulation what?” you might ask. At USC, we have a department dedicated to determining which classes taught at other schools transfer for credit (or “articulate”) at USC. This is the Articulation Department. Over the years, the Articulation Department has compiled lists of courses from other universities that have transferred to USC for credit in the past. Please view the Quick FAQ section below before viewing the articulation history/agreement with your school(s).

If you were recently admitted to USC as a transfer student, you will receive a transfer credit report after you submit your commitment deposit to USC.

For students who attend a community college outside of California or a four-year institution

For students who attend a Community College in the state of California

Quick FAQ about Articulation Agreements/Histories

What do parts 1-4 mean.

Here is a quick breakdown of the four parts of an articulation history/agreement:

Part I: These are all the General Education (GE) courses which will transfer for credit at USC and waive a course in a USC GE category. Courses in this section do not need to be considered equivalent to a course at USC to waive a GE course requirement. To waive a requirement for that GE category, they simply need to be listed in Part I underneath one of the GE categories. For example, if you took Art 100 at your current school, and Art 100 is listed underneath Category A: The Arts, this means it fulfills one course requirement for Category A. Since only one course is required under Category A, you would have fulfilled all the requirements for Category A. Remember, these are graduation requirements. GE’s are not required for admission , and will not impact your admission chances.

Part II: These are all the courses which are considered equivalent to USC courses . These will transfer for credit at USC and waive a course requirement. Typically, you will use Part II to see if any of your math, science, and writing pre-requisites are equivalent to courses at USC. For example, MATH-125 is Calculus I at USC. If the Calculus I course at your current school is next to MATH-125 in Part II, that means it was considered equivalent to MATH-125 at USC. You can look up a a sample four-year course plan for your USC major by selecting your intended academic discipline and then clicking the ‘Curriculum’ button. You are unlikely to find engineering courses in Part II, but if you are a computer science student, you may want to visit our programming page to see if any programming classes you’ve taken will prepare you for our placement exams.

Part III: These are all the courses which will transfer for some form of credit at USC. However, if you don’t see the same course listed in Part II, this means the course will not waive a course requirement at USC . Keep in mind, this means you may receive elective credit for the course, but it will not waive any required course.  Only courses listed in Part II are considered course-equivalent. You should avoid courses which are listed in Part III if they are not also listed in Parts I or II.

Part IV: These are all the courses which do not receive credit at USC. Avoid taking these courses.

My Class is in Part III but not Part II. Will I get credit for the course?

You may get elective credit for the course, but only courses in Part II waive course requirements. This is because only the courses in Part II are considered equivalent to a course at USC.

I'm in Part II. I found a course I took at my current school, along with its equivalent at USC, but I don't know what the USC course codes mean. Where can I look them up?

You can view a sample four-year course plan for your major at USC by visiting your academic department page , and then clicking on the ‘Curriculum’ button. This will give you the USC course codes you’ll need when you’re looking up equivalent courses at your current school. For example, you will notice that MATH-125 (Calculus I) is a required course for all engineering majors. To waive this course, you will need to have taken a course which is equivalent to MATH-125. You can look up the equivalent to MATH-125 in Part II of the articulation history/agreement for your school.

What's the difference between an Articulation History and an Articulation Agreement?

An articulation history is a list of classes at a particular school which have historically transferred for credit at USC.

Articulation agreements are pre-approved lists of courses which are guaranteed to transfer to USC. USC only has these agreements with California Community Colleges. These courses are updated every semester for accuracy.

Which 'Effective Period' should I use?

The most recent term, unless you  started college before Fall 2015. If you started college before Fall 2015, set your effective period as Spring 2015.

I can't find my school

When using the dropdown menu to find your school, be on the lookout for alternative names. Some examples: The  University of… or  Univ   of… or  UC – … or ___ University. If you’re still having trouble, email us at [email protected] .

My class isn't on the articulation history. When will it be reviewed?

If you don’t find your class on the articulation history, don’t panic. Articulation histories are just a list of courses which have transferred from another school to USC in the past. So, if you don’t see your school on the list, it just means we haven’t yet had a student transfer to USC with that particular class from that particular school on their transcript. But you could be the first!

After a student is admitted, the articulation department will review your transcript and give you a transfer credit report to help you understand which courses transferred for credit. For any class on your transcript which isn’t on the articulation history, but which might be equivalent to a class at USC, the articulation department will ask a professor to compare the syllabus of your class with a class at USC.

Due to the volume of requests, we unfortunately cannot review courses for prospective students; only students who are admitted will have their transcripts reviewed.

I started college before Fall 2015. Do I still follow the new GE System?

No. Students who started taking college classes before Fall 2015 only have to fill the requirements of the old GE system.

If you went to a California Community College, use this articulation history .

If you went to a four-year college or a CC outside of California, select “Spring 2015” as your effective date on the articulation history.

Do engineering classes usually transfer for credit?

It depends on the class. Some engineering classes will transfer for elective credit, but since engineering is taught differently from school to school, it’s rare to find an engineering course at another school that is considered directly equivalent to a USC engineering course. Math, science, and GE courses, on the other hand, are much more likely to transfer over.

With that being said, our articulation department will have the department review the course you took and determine if it is equivalent to a course at USC after you submit your commitment deposit to USC.

How many units can I transfer to USC?

You can transfer up to 64 units to USC. Another 64 units must be taken at USC to graduate with a USC degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

General questions, do you want any extra documents (resume, cv, portfolio) as part of my application.

No. If you have anything else you want us to see, please take advantage of the “Additional Information” section of the Common App. You can also link to a personal website there if you wish.

Is it more difficult to get into Viterbi than other majors at USC?

No.  It is no more difficult to be admitted to Viterbi than the rest of the university.  We admit our students at a similar rate as the university, and the average GPA for Engineering students is the same as the average GPA for all USC students.

Which engineering major is the hardest/easiest to get admitted to?

Your chances of being admitted to one engineering major are the same for all engineering majors. The application requirements are also the same for all majors. If you are admitted to one of our programs, you are admitted to all of our programs.

What is the average GPA for engineering students?

3.7, but a GPA only tells us so much.  The courses you take are so much more important than the number at the bottom of your transcript. And although we do look at every course you have taken, we also notice grade trends and pay closer attention to your math, science, and engineering related coursework.

My GPA/Scores are lower than your average. Should I even apply?

Our averages are just that…averages.  Some students are admitted with higher GPAs, and some students are admitted with lower GPAs.  The actual numbers are less important than your overall prep. Taking the right courses that prepare you for a degree in engineering is what you should be focusing on.

The only guarantee we can give is that you can’t be admitted if you don’t apply!

What are the min/max number of units I need to transfer?

We neither have a minimum nor a maximum number of units to transfer.  However, i f you have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester units by the end of the spring term, we will need further information for our decision from your high school record and/or SAT or ACT scores (if you choose to submit them). Please note that applicants to the 2023-2024 academic year are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, although you may still submit scores if you wish.  And, even if you have a lot of units completed, you will still need to complete 64 units of coursework at USC to receive a degree from USC.

Do I need to finish all my GE requirements before I apply?

No.  We don’t care if you take any GE courses before you apply.  You can take GE’s to fill in your schedule (you want to make sure you are taking a full load of courses each semester), but we are much more concerned with math and science courses.  Make sure you are enrolled in those before you add any GE’s to your schedule.

Do I need to complete all the transferable courses on the Transfer Planning Guide before I apply?

No. The Transfer Planning Guide is designed to help students figure out which courses will transfer for their intended major.  You do not need to complete all of the listed courses.  Please see our list of recommended courses in the Transfer Plans section above.

I have taken a non-traditional route. Is that going to hurt my chances of being admitted?

We know that every transfer student has a different story. Some students transfer after 1 or 2 years at an institution they started right out of high school, while others take time off school to work, raise families, or have other experiences.  Whether you are continuing your education or returning after a long break, we encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

What if I can't take 2 semesters of science prior to my target transfer date? Can I still apply?

You can still apply even if you haven’t taken two semesters of a lab based science. Sometimes students (particularly those who are planning to transfer after just one year to USC) are unable to take two semesters of science. That said, if you have the time in your schedule to take science – you should.

Do the two semesters of a lab-based science have to be the same type of science?

No. However, it may help you maximize the number of units you can transfer to USC if you take two semesters of the same science. You can learn more about which courses transfer to USC here .

I have attended more than one college/university. Is that okay?

Yes.  We review each student based on the courses they take and not the school where they take them.  We understand that there is limited availability at some colleges and students need to go to more than one school to fill their schedule. That is fine.

Is it better to go to a 4-year institution before transferring?

No. We review each student based on the courses they have completed, not the school they are attending.

Can I apply for a 2nd Bachelor's Degree?

Yes.  We accept a number of 2nd bachelors degree students every year. Just follow the same transfer recommendations as all other transfer students.  If your first degree was not in math, science, engineering or another related field, you may need to complete some courses at another institution before applying. You can learn more about earning a second bachelor’s degree here .

Can I apply for Spring?

No.  USC only accepts applications for the fall semester. However, if you are admitted for the fall semester, you can request to defer your admission to the spring. Please keep in mind that space is limited, and deferrals are not guaranteed.

I do not attend a 3+2 partner school. Can I still apply to the 3+2 program

No.  The 3+2 Engineering program is a specially designed curriculum with specific, named, partner schools.  Articulation agreements have been designed, developed, and signed by the partner institutions.  Student must take very specific courses at the 3+2 partner school to be considered as part of the 3+2 program.  Student who do not attend a 3+2 partner school can apply to transfer through our regular transfer admission process.

How many years will I have left at USC after I transfer?

That depends on a lot of factors.  If you will be transferring after your 2nd year at your current institution, it does not necessarily mean that it will only take 2 years to complete your degree at USC.  You are choosing to leave the current path that you are on and the degree requirements that you started, for a new path and set of degree requirements.  Some courses may not transfer.  To find out which courses are likely to transfer from your current school, visit our the Transferable Courses section above.

I just finished my Junior year. Can I do my last year at USC?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Although we have no limit to the number of units you can complete before transferring to USC, you must complete at least 64 units (1/2 the normal required units for an undergraduate degree) at USC to get a degree from USC.  This will usually take 2 years.

I am a current student at USC and I would like to change my major to engineering. Do I need to go through the admission process?

No.  If you are already a current student at USC and you want to change your major to engineering, you will need to work directly with the academic advisers in the Viterbi Admission & Student Affairs Office.  You can email them at [email protected] .

Application Questions

How do i complete my application to usc, transfer application checklist, submit these items.

• Common Application
• Official & final high school transcript with date of graduation.
• All official college transcripts
• Scores are only required from applicants who have completed fewer than 30 semester units of college coursework.

International students must also submit:

• Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support: www.usc.edu/financialstatement
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic Scores, if the student’s native language is not English.

Can transcripts be submitted after February 15th?

Yes. You have met the application deadline if you submit the Common App by Feb 15th.  Supporting documents – such as official transcripts – can be submitted soon after the deadline.

That being said, please get your transcripts to us as soon as possible, because we cannot review your application until we get them!

Are transfer applicants required to submit a letter of recommendation?

No. However the Common App (not USC) may require you to assign an Academic Evaluator in order to finish the application.  We will consider your application for admission complete even if whoever you assigned as your Academic Evaluator does not complete a recommendation on your behalf.

Do I need to submit the Registrar Report? How about the “Additional Forms” : the Final Report, Mid-term Report, and College Report?

No.  We do not need (or want) the Registrar Report, Final Report, Mid-term Report, or the College Report.

Which classes should I list as my “current” classes in Common App?

We’re asking about your current academic year  – the classes you are taking while applying. You should list all the classes you took in the fall semester and the courses that you are taking/will take in the winter (if applicable) and spring of the year you are submitting your application.

How am I supposed to answer the question about full time enrollment on the Common Application?

Is this question confusing you?

“For each college or university term (excluding summer) in which you were enrolled in less than four semester-unit courses or three quarter-unit courses, please provide a brief explanation as to why you were unable to enroll full time. (250 word limit) “

Were you ever enrolled in less than 4 courses in a semester (or less than 3 classes/quarter)? If so, just provide a brief explanation that explains why you didn’t enroll in more courses. That’s it!

And yes, taking 1 class at one school and 3 classes at another school in the same semesters means you were enrolled in four classes.

If you’ve always been a full-time student (4 or more classes/semester) you can simply write “N/A”.

Where should I send my transcripts?

If you are mailing your official transcripts  please send them to:

Note, you can use the address above for follow-up transcripts, application materials, and all other types of correspondence.

Do I have to send my official transcripts to the USC Office of Admission and to the USC Viterbi Admission Office?

No need to send duplicates.

When you send documents to USC they are uploaded into your file – and all offices can view your file/the documents you sent.

How can I verify that my application is complete?

You may get an update on the status of your online application by logging in to your application portal here:  admission.usc.edu/status

Please keep in mind, it can take 7-10 business days (after USC receives) documents  – like transcripts – to upload into your file.  Do not be alarmed if you recently sent in your transcripts and they are not yet in your file. 

USC will contact you if you are missing any required application documents.

When will I hear back from USC?

USC will mail an admission decision or request for spring grades by May 31st.

Do not expect to hear back from us before May 31st.  We use the entire time allotted to review your application so that we can conduct a comprehensive review of your application. We want to know your story, and it takes us time to read through each application.

Do you want me to send my SAT II Subject scores?

SAT Subject Test scores are not required. If you did not take any, this will have no impact on your chances of being admitted. However, if you already took a test and would like to send us your scores, you are free to do so.

Got Questions?

Fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you.

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40-80 Units

32-48 units, up to 56 units, your dornsife degree, the usc core, foreign language, ap and ib credit, electives/minor/double major, up to 56 units, academic advisement.

USC Dornsife does more than just give you the world— we help you navigate it as well. At the beginning of your academic journey, our dedicated academic advisors give you a road map, and they are by your side every step of the way. Think of advisors as your personal tour guides, providing guidance on course selection and helping connect you with opportunities for research, internships, and study abroad.

At USC, you’ll have an academic advisor specific to any major or minor you declare. In addition, you’ll have access to pre-health, pre-law, and pre-graduate school advisors, as well as our Dornsife Career Pathways advisors, all of whom work together to help prepare you for life after USC.

USC Dornsife Majors

Natural sciences, social sciences.

The Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

The requirement for the degree is 128 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all upper division courses applied toward the major, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. See the common requirements    for undergraduate degrees.

Composition/Writing Requirement

• WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches Units: 4
• WRIT 340 Advanced Writing Units: 3, 4 (3)

General Education

• General Education   * Units: 20

Pre-Major Requirements

Math requirement.

• MATH 125g Calculus I Units: 4
• MATH 126g Calculus II Units: 4 or
• MATH 129 Calculus II for Engineers and Scientists Units: 4
• MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations Units: 4
• MATH 226g Calculus III Units: 4 or
• MATH 229 Calculus III for Engineers and Scientists Units: 4

Physics Requirement

• PHYS 151Lg Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics Units: 4
• PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism Units: 4

Biology Elective

• BISC 103Lgx General Biology for the Environment and Life Units: 4 or
• BISC 104Lgx How the Body Works Units: 4 or
• BISC 230Lgx The Biology of the Brain Units: 4 or
• HBIO 205Lgx The Science of Sport Units: 4

Chemistry Elective

• CHEM 105aLg General Chemistry Units: 4 or
• CHEM 115aLg Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4 or
• MASC 110L Materials Science Units: 4

Major Requirements

Engineering requirement.

• ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy Units: 2

Industrial and Systems Engineering Requirement

• ISE 105 Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering Units: 2
• ISE 150 Solving Engineering Problems via Computer Programming Units: 3
• ISE 220 Probability Concepts in Engineering Units: 3
• ISE 225 Engineering Statistics I Units: 3
• ISE 315L Engineering Project Management Units: 3
• ISE 330 Introduction to Operations Research: Deterministic Models Units: 3
• ISE 331 Introduction to Operations Research: Stochastic Models Units: 3
• ISE 410 Planning and Scheduling Units: 3
• ISE 435 Discrete Systems Simulation Units: 3
• ISE 440 Work, Technology, and Organization Units: 3
• ISE 460 Engineering Economy Units: 3
• ISE 495ax Senior Design Project Units: 2
• ISE 495bx Senior Design Project Units: 2

Database Design Elective

• ISE 382 Database Systems: Concepts, Design and Implementation Units: 4 or
• DSO 435 Enterprise Data Architecture Units: 4

Human Factors Elective

• ISE 370L Human Factors in Work Design Units: 4 or
• ISE 470 Human/Computer Interface Design Units: 3

Major Electives

Major Electives: 23-24 Units

At least 12 units must be from one of the approved Focus Groups

At least 9 units must be from the Approved Engineering Electives

Total units: 128

* GE Category D is fulfilled by Biology Elective

GE Category E is fulfilled by PHYS 151    or CHEM 105a   .

GE Category F is fulfilled by MATH 125   . ​

Focus Groups

Students must select at least 12 units from one group; however, all courses in a group are recommended.

Operations Group

• ISE 335L Supply Chain Design Units: 3
• ISE 375L Facilities Design Units: 3
• ISE 426 Statistical Quality Control Units: 3

Plus at least one course from among the following:

• ACCT 410x Foundations of Accounting Units: 4
• ISE 232L Manufacturing Processes Units: 3
• ISE 327 Six Sigma and Lean Operations Units: 3
• ISE 350 Principles of Systems Engineering Units: 3

Information Systems Group

• ITP 320 Enterprise Information Systems Units: 4

Plus at least 8 units from among the following

• DSO 431 Foundations of Digital Business Innovation Units: 4
• DSO 433 Business Process Design Units: 4
• ITP 482 Engineering Database Applications Units: 3
• ITP 487 Data Warehouses Units: 3

Approved Engineering Electives

Students must select at least 9 units. Courses not listed may be petitioned for approval through the department.

AME 341a   , AME 341b   , CE 408   ,  CE 460    , CE 471   , DSO 427   , EE 326   , ENGR 345   , ENGR 401x   ,  ISE 232   , ISE 310   ,  ISE 327   , ISE 335L   , ISE 344   , ISE 350   , ISE 375L   , ISE 426   , ITP 215   , ITP 320   , ITP 325   , ITP 421   , ITP 422   , ITP 454   , ITP 457   , ITP 466   , ITP 482   , ITP 486   , ITP 487   , ITP 488   , NSC 335   , NSC 337  

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BME: BS in Biomedical Engineering

All BME degrees combine high-level coursework from mathematics, the sciences, engineering, and USC's general education program. The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering requires three to four technical elective courses which students fulfill by completing courses in a selected area of specialization.

The sample 4-year schedules show one recommended sequence of courses for the BS BME degree. The sequences listed ensure that all prerequisite and co requisite requirements are met and take into consideration the many courses which are only offered once a year, during either the spring or fall semester.

In many cases, it is not possible for students to follow the recommended schedule exactly. Factors such as an academic minor, AP or transfer credits, participation in sports, or the need for preparatory courses may necessitate taking courses in a different order. When a student deviates from the recommended course schedule, he/she should make an alternative four-year plan along with their academic advisor to ensure a timely graduation. It is important in the planning of an alternative schedule to consider the following:

• Prerequisites and co requisites Many courses in the BME curriculum involve prerequisite and co requisite courses.
• Class Scheduling Not all classes are offered every semester. The catalog provides information in the course description about what term classes are being offered, but please refer to the Schedule of Classes issued during the pre-registration period.

You can find a sample four-year schedule for the BS BME degree below, and a list of technical elective categories and courses.

All information contained here is summarized from the USC Catalogue and is considered non-official. For all rules, regulations, procedures, and outlines, please see the current academic year USC catalogue.

BME Program Course Plan

This course plan is for students who are following the program requirements established Fall 2020 or later. If you are following an earlier set of course requirements, please check with your advisor or the appropriate year's USC catalogue.

A print-friendly version of this flowchart may be found in the Viterbi Undergraduate Handbook .

BS BME: First Year: Fall

BME 101 or GE: Intro to Biomedical Engineering or GE Category B - 4 units

CHEM 105aL: General Chemistry - 4 units

MATH 125: Calculus I - 4 units

WRIT 150: Writing and Critical Reasoning - 4 units

ENGR 102: Engineering Freshman Academy (Elective) - 2 units

Total Units - 18

BS BME: First Year: Spring

CHEM 105bL: General Chemistry - 4 units

MATH 126: Calculus II - 4 units

GE: GE Category A - 4 units

Total Units -  16

BS BME: Second Year: Fall

BME 202: Control & Communication in the Nervous System - 4 units

GE: GE Category C - 4 units

MATH 226: Calculus III - 4 units

PHYS 151L: Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics & Thermodynamics - 4 units

BS BME: Second Year: Spring

BISC 220L: General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology - 4 units

BME 210: Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods - 4 units

MATH 245: Mathematics of Physics & Engineering I - 4 units

PHYS 152L: Electricity and Magnetism - 4 units

BS BME: Third Year: Fall

CHEM 322aL: Organic Chemistry - 4 units

EE 202L: Linear Circuits - 4 units

BME 423: Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering - 4 units

BME Anchor course: BME 404 or BME 430 or BME 451L - 4 units

BS BME: Third Year: Spring

CHEM 322bL: Organic Chemistry option - 4 units CHEM 322b may be replaced by an additional four units of 400-level BME courses

BME 302L: Medical Electronics - 4 units

Technical Elective: Choose from Approved List - 4 units

BS BME: Fourth Year: Fall

BISC 320L: Molecular Biology - 4 units

BME 403L: Physiological Systems or BME 405L: Senior Projects: Measurement & Instrumentation - 4 units

BME 413 Bioengineering Signals & Systems - 4 units

WRIT 340: Advanced Writing - 4 units

Technical Elective: Choose from Approved List - 2 units

Total Units -  18

BS BME: Fourth Year: Spring

GE: GE Category B - 4 units

BME 410L: Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering - 4 units

BME 403L: Physiological Systems or BME 405L: Senior Projects: Measurement & Instrumentation - 4 units

BME 415: Regulation of Medical Products or BME 416L Development and Regulation of Medical Products - 2 units or 4 units

Technical Elective (if needed): Choose from Approved List - 2 units

BME Anchor Course

BS BME students select one Anchor course from the following three choices: BME 404 - Orthopaedic Biomechanics BME 430 - Principles & Applications of Systems Biology BME 451L - Fundamentals of Biomedical Microdevices

BME Organic Chemistry Option

BS BME students may choose to take either CHEM 322bL or an additional four-unit 400-level BME course.

BME 415 or BME 416L Option

BS BME students must take either BME 415 (2 units) or BME 416L (4 units). Students who take BME 405L in the fall will be expected to take BME 416L in the spring to have a full-year design experience.

Students who choose to take BME 415 will need to take two additional units of Technical Elective coursework.

BME Technical Electives

Technical elective units required

Select a minimum of five to seven units of technical elective coursework from one of the following three specializations:

Bioelectronics/Computers

Bioelectronic/bioelectrical engineers apply the principles of circuit analysis, circuit design and information/signal processing to biological systems and/or clinical medicine. This specialization also provides the training and background for careers that revolve around physiological signal processing or biomedical imaging. Biomedical engineers who have this specialization would be well-suited for careers in industries that produce medical devices, hospital instrumentation and biomedical imaging equipment.

BME 201 BME 204 BME 426 BME 427 BME 430 BME 451 BME 452

BME 453 CSCI 103L CSCI 445L CSCI 455x EE 109L EE 155L EE 209L

EE 338 EE 348L EE 352L EE 354L EE 454L ENGR 345 ITP 308

Biochemical, Molecular, and Cellular Enginering

This area of specialization provides the BME student with the background and training important for careers in biotechnology, biomaterials and the pharmaceutical industry. Engineers in these industries develop and test new drug therapies, new materials that can be used for implants, and processes related to genomics and proteomics.

BME 201 BME 204 BME 406 BME 412 BME 430

BME 453 BME 459L CHE 330 CHE 350 CHE 460L

CHE 489 ENGR 301 ENGR 305 ITP 308 MASC 310

Biomechanics

Biomechanics involves the application of engineering mechanics to biology and clinical medicine. Biomechanical engineers are involved in the design and development of medical implants and devices, as well as improving diagnostic and therapeutic methods in orthopedic, rehabilitation and sports medicine. Examples of products of biomechanical engineering design include prosthetic limbs, hip implants, and more recently, biomedical microelectromechanical systems (bio-MEMS).

Published on January 31st, 2017

Last updated on November 12th, 2021

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USC Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are USC's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into USC and build a strong application.

School location: Los Angeles, CA

This school is also known as: University of Southern California

Admissions Rate: 12.5%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at USC is 12.5% . For every 100 applicants, only 13 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress USC application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

USC GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.83

The average GPA at USC is 3.83 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.83, USC requires you to be near the top of your class , and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A's. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.83, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

USC hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to USC will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

USC SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1440

The average SAT score composite at USC is a 1440 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes USC Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.

USC SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1330, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1520. In other words, a 1330 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1520 will move you up to above average .

Aspiring Trojans who need a leg up in their USC application should use our specialty tutoring advice for the Los Angeles area in their test preparation.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

USC has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, USC will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and USC forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1520, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

USC ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, USC likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 32

The average ACT score at USC is 32. This score makes USC Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 30, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 34.

Even though USC likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 30 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 32 and above that a 30 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 34 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to USC, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 34.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

USC considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1520 SAT or a 34 ACT . You should also have a 3.83 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as USC, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1520 SAT or a 34 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of USC here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $90
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office February 20

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 2
• Electives 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 April 1
• Yes November 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: University Park Campus Los Angeles, CA 90089
• Phone: (213) 740-2311
• Fax: (213) 740-6364
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

USC has various majors and programs (including Architecture, Arts, Business, and Music) that require additional application compoenents. Specific information by program is available here. USC offers merit scholarships, most of which you apply for by submitting a complete USC application by December 1. For a complete list, which includes some scholarships that have additional application components, check out this page.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in USC, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to USC.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than USC. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for USC, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for USC, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If USC is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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M.S. Computer Science (General)

All information contained here is summarized from the USC Catalogue and is considered non-official. For all rules, regulations, procedures, and outlines, please see the current academic year USC Catalogue. The USC Catalogue supersedes all other publications.

Current students follow degree requirements in effect for the academic year they began their studies at USC.  If you are a current student, please refer to your STARS report or the appropriate USC Catalogue for your year.  Students seeking to advance their catalogue year to follow updated curricula may contact their department advisor.

Total Units: 28

• Effective Fall 2024, this program requires the completion of   32 units   of coursework.

Core Requirement (4 units):

• CSCI 570 - Analysis of Algorithms (4)

Additional Course Work (24 units):

• Effective Fall 2024, this program requires the completion of additional 28 units   of coursework.
• The remaining elective units necessary to earn the degree are completed by selecting additional 500-level CSCI courses.

Additional Coursework:

• Additional 500-level CSCI courses
• One Non Computer Science Course (such as EE, ISE, INF,  etc. from approved list – see department website) (3-4 units)
• 600-level CSCI Course (faculty and department approval required) (8 units max)
• Other options may be available with department approval.

Students interested in computer science research can select from CSCI 591 Computer Science Research Colloquium (1 unit, max 2) and/or CSCI 590 Directed Research (1-2 units, max 2).

Note: A maximum of 2 units of CSCI 590 and a maximum of 2 units of CSCI 591 may be applied. Furthermore, only one course may be 400-level, and up to two courses may be 600-level. With adviser approval, one non Computer Science Course may be selected from the approved list.

Thesis courses (CSCI 594a, CSCI 594b, CSCI 594z) and Internship courses (ENGR 595a, ENGR 595b, ENGR 595z) are not eligible for elective credit.

• 28 units are required for the degree. Effective Fall 2024, 32 units   of coursework are required for the degree.
• There is no cumulative examination required for the degree.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.00 must be earned on all course work applied toward the M.S. degree and all graduate course work taken at USC.
• A maximum of 4 units may be taken from approved 400-level courses in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Science; the remaining units must be approved courses at the 500 or 600 level.
• Only two doctoral (600-level) course can be counted in the degree.
• Only one Non-CS course can be counted in the degree.
• Internship and Thesis credits cannot count as elective units toward the degree.
• CSCI 590 Directed Research is a variable unit course, and can be taken for one or two units. A maximum of two units can apply toward the degree.
• CSCI 591 Research Colloquium can be taken a maximum of two times for one unit each.
• Other requirements for the M.S. degree are the same as set forth in the general requirements for graduate degrees.

The MS thesis option is available to highly qualified students but requires the student to find an adviser willing to supervise their research. In practice, availability of advisers is extremely limited and this option is exercised rarely.

With the approval of a supervising professor, qualified students may be allowed to pursue a thesis option. Students pursuing the thesis option must satisfy all of the policies and course requirements for the master's degree and, in addition, must enroll in a minimum of two semesters of CSCI 594a, CSCI 594b, CSCI 594z for a maximum of 4 units.

For students starting their degree Fall 2024 or later, the total units required for the degree with thesis is 36. The thesis must comply with all requirements set by the Graduate School. Students who began their degree in Summer 2023 or earlier will be held to the prior unit requirement of 32 units (28 units + 4 units of thesis).

• Total units required for the M.S. in Computer Science general degree with thesis is 36 (Fall 2024 or later).
• Total units required for the M.S. in Computer Science general degree with thesis is 32 (Summer 2024 or earlier).

The thesis must comply with all requirements set by the Graduate School ( http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool/ ).

Students enrolled in a CS specialization are not eligible to add a thesis to their program.

• Prerequisites must be taken prior to an advanced course. Even if a prerequisite is waived, you may not take the prerequisite course AFTER taking the advanced course. 
• Availability of courses per semester may occasionally change.
• Students pursing a "second master's degree" must follow specific procedures . A “second master’s degree” is any master’s degree pursued after a first master’s degree is earned at USC or another university.

Published on August 9th, 2017

Last updated on April 24th, 2024

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General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies) and two courses in writing. See the  General Education Program  for more information.

Course Requirements

Required courses.

Theoretical and Foundational Classes (12 units total)

These courses introduce students to theories and subject matter that provide a foundational understanding for the Communication major. Each area below broadly explores the way messages and meanings are socially and culturally produced, received by individuals and society, and transformed through technological and industrial shifts.

Communication Interaction, Influence and Impact (4 units)

• COMM 200 Communication and Social Science (4 units) or
• COMM 313 Communication and Mass Media (4 units)

Communication, Civic Life and Culture (4 units)

• COMM 206 Communication and Culture (4 units) or
• COMM 311 Communication and Publics (4 units)

Economics and Technologies of Communication (4 units)

• COMM 209 Communication and Media Economics (4 units) or
• COMM 309 Communication and Technology (4 units)

Methods of Communication Practice (8 units total)

The courses in this area help to provide students with the critical thinking, tools, and methods of inquiry necessary for the interpretation, development, and expression of messages, systematic arguments, and empirical evidence. 

Four units that center on the design and execution of arguments

• COMM 204 Public Speaking (4 units) or
• COMM 322 Argumentation and Advocacy (4 units)

Four units that center on the design, execution and interpretation of empirical evidence

• COMM 301Lg Empirical Research in Communication (4 units) or
• COMM 305 Understanding Social Science Research (4 units)

Annenberg Experience (4 units)

Students are required to take one 4-unit course that prepares Annenberg students to enhance their digital literacy and contextualize modern communication controversies, contemplating changes in the way we process and produce information.

• ASCJ 200 Navigating Media and News in the Digital Age (4 units) or
• ASCJ 210 Contours of Change in Media and Communication (4 units)

Electives (24 units total)

• Upper-division COMM courses: 16 units
• Lower- or upper-division COMM or ASCJ courses: 4 units
• One 400-level non-cross-listed COMM course (excluding COMM 490, COMM 494 and COMM 499): 4 units

Additional Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 overall GPA in upper-division course work applied toward the major. No more than 4 units of COMM 380 may be counted toward the department major. The School of Communication is committed to ensuring that all declared communication majors follow the necessary requirements. Mandatory advisement is required of all communication majors each semester prior to registration. All students taking communication classes are held to the highest academic integrity standards and may be denied admission or have admission revoked as a result of conduct violations.

Qualified non-majors (generally, students with junior/senior status, a minimum 3.0 GPA and a declared major elsewhere at the university) with appropriate academic preparation may be permitted to enroll in communication electives without fulfilling prerequisite requirements. Application for a waiver should be made to an undergraduate adviser. 

This page is based on the current 2023-2024 USC Catalogue . The 2024-2025 USC Catalogue will be published in summer 2024. 

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, general education program, why do i have to satisfy g.e. requirements, this is how usc prepares all of our graduates to be thoughtful, generally well educated people..

To accomplish that, all undergraduates at USC must satisfy the General Education Program requirements, which provide training in the liberal arts — the critical skills necessary for a free person to function effectively, thoughtfully, and productively in a complex world. The program has been designed to nurture habits of thought essential for professional success and personal development, to establish a background for lifelong learning. It complements the depth in areas of intellectual inquiry gained through major and minor coursework by preparing students to be informed citizens of the twenty-first century, who understand its challenges and participate in the debates of their time.

As the world becomes more interconnected, so does the need for critical thought in all its guises: as self- reflection, moral discernment, appreciation of diversity, aesthetic sensibility, civility, reconciliation and empathy across all spheres of life. The USC General Education Program has been designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges of a globalized world and the demands of a satisfying personal life.

Watch actress America Ferrera discuss the impact her GE courses had on her after studying at USC.

About General Education

Since its inception in Fall 2015, the General Education Program has actively served all undergraduates at USC. It has grown to include:

Approved GE Courses in 65 Disciplines

General Education Seminars

Faculty Teaching in GE Every Year

of General Education Courses have Fewer than 24 Students

Faculty Recipients of a GE Teaching Award Since 2015

Enrollments in GE Courses Per Semester

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Progressive Degree Program Requirements

Before applying for a Progressive Master’s Degree, review the following program requirements which are standard across all progressive master degree programs. 

• Progressive degree program students must fulfill all specified degree requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree with a minimum two-thirds of the units required for the master’s degree at or above the 500 level.
• up to and including the semester they complete 144 units *
• their first bachelor’s degree is conferred; or
• they receive a research or teaching assistant award
• Progressive degree program students are subject to undergraduate academic progress standards while in undergraduate status and to the master’s academic progress standards while in graduate status.
• Transfer units, including AP and IB units, and all units completed at USC, including both undergraduate- and graduate-level coursework during any semester, count toward the 144-unit limit. If applicants transferred prematriculation units, including AP or IB units, they should request a Progressive Degree Status Check to determine how many undergraduate units remain before they transition to graduate status. In rare cases, transfer course work that does not count toward subject requirements, electives or the bachelor degree program’s minimum unit requirement may increase the 144-unit threshold. Again, upon completing 144 units a student transitions from undergraduate to graduate status.
• Students may complete only one master’s degree as part of the progressive degree program.
• The bachelor’s degree may be awarded separately, but the master’s degree will not be awarded before the undergraduate degree.
• F-1 and J-1 international students must contact the Office of International Services before accepting admission to a PDP. PDPs require additional time to degree so F-1 and J-1 international students must apply for a Program Extension before their current Form I-20 or DS-2019 expires to maintain their visa status.
• While classified as undergraduates, students are assessed the undergraduate tuition rate, and their enrollment status and financial aid eligibility are determined by undergraduate standards. Undergraduate-level progressive degree students maintain their eligibility for Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG Grants, Cal Grants, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct Parent PLUS Loans, and any applicable eligibility for USC Merit Scholarships or USC University Grants, as long as they are enrolled in courses that are required for, or that can be applied as an eligible elective credit toward, their undergraduate degree. The Registrar’s Office determines when a student has completed their undergraduate degree and manages the process of posting degrees to a student’s record. The Financial Aid Office relies on the Registrar’s determination of the applicability of a course to a degree program and the completion of the bachelor’s degree.
• While classified as graduate students, progressive degree students are assessed the graduate tuition rate, and their enrollment status and financial aid eligibility are determined by graduate standards. Graduate students are not eligible for federal, state, or university need-based grants. Graduate-level progressive degree students are eligible to borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, up to the maximum yearly amounts established for graduate students. Students may complete only one master’s degree as part of the progressive degree program.
• Upon admission, admitted PDP students are responsible for ensuring their undergraduate expected graduation date aligns with their proposed PDP course plan which USC Financial Aid will use for aid repackaging (when applicable). Please note that aid eligibility may be impacted for students in Progressive Degree programs. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Enrollment in a Progressive Degree Program website for details about how PDP can impact aid including need-based, merit-based, tuition assistance and tuition exchange. 

Interested in learning more?

Review PDP Eligibility and the Application Process .

Visit Progressive Degree Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about applying.

Check out a complete list of  Current Progressive Degree Program Offerings  to consider all the relevant options.

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All pre-pharmacy courses must be completed by the end of the spring term of your entering year. The link below lists the equivalent courses offered at universities and colleges in California and selected out-of-state schools. They are listed (top right) in alphabetical order (i.e. A – C, D – L, etc.). They will help you determine if your coursework satisfies our requirements for admission.

Please note: These courses fulfill prerequisites for USC Mann. They may not, however, earn equivalence to USC courses. If you are in the Trojan Admission Pre-Pharmacy (TAP) program, please contact your TAP advisor regarding prerequisites taken outside of USC.

Please contact the school Admission and Student Affairs office at (323) 442-1466 if you have any questions.

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