Apply for USC Graduate Admission
The USC graduate school welcomes you to our community of scholars, hoping for a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Applications are considered complete when we have all of the materials listed below. That said, earlier is better than later!
To be admitted to graduate school, you must apply through the general application. You must submit an application fee and official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic achievements and potential.
You may be asked to submit standardized test scores, such as the GRE or GMAT. Many graduate programs require you to take a writing sample and an interview.
The application process can take several months, so please plan accordingly.
- We strongly recommend applying at least six months before the term you wish to start.
- After you submit your application, our Admissions Committee will review it before forwarding it to the relevant department(s) for further review.
- You will receive an email notification once the USC Graduate Admission Office has received your file. You can check the status of your application by logging in to your account at https://admissionstoolbox.usc.edu/login/#/. If we do not hear from you within a few weeks after receiving our notification, please get in touch with us at gradadmissions@usc._edu or call (213) 338-0403 ext 4010
All applicants must submit the following materials:
- Graduate Application for Admission (this can be found on the graduate admissions website)
- Official transcripts from all institutions you have attended, including US colleges/universities and international institutions
- A personal statement in which you describe your educational goals, research interests and any other information that would be helpful for us to know about you as an applicant. Please limit this essay to no more than 1 page in length.
- Application fees must be paid before we can process or consider your application.
- Visit our website for more information about fees and payment options. Once the price has been paid, you will receive an email from the graduate admissions office confirming receipt of your payment and providing a status update on your application. This does not mean that “you’re in”.
It simply means that we have received your payment. If you don’t receive an email within 24 hours, please get in touch with us at graduate.admissions@ucr.edu or call (951) 827-4967.