Our first application deadline for Fall 2025 admission is just around the corner. Got questions? We’ve got answers! Check out this list of questions about submitting your USC application by this year’s Early Action (non-binding) round.
Deadline Information:
November 1 is the Early Action deadline for first-year applicants. It also serves as the deadline to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships for most majors.
If you are applying to the Iovine and Young Academy,to majors in the schools of Architecture, Art & Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, or Music, or to the World Bachelor of Business program, you have until December 1 to apply and be considered for USC Merit Scholarships as those schools do not participate in Early Action. Transfer applicants applying to eligible programs with a December 1 deadline will be considered for the Transfer Merit Scholarship, as long as they apply on time. We will post a separate FAQ for the December 1 deadline in a few weeks.
See more information about USC’s Admission Dates and Deadlines on our website.
Q: I submitted my application on November 1 before midnight, but my confirmation email says I submitted it on November 2. What’s going on?
A: The Common App timestamp is on Eastern Time, so depending on where you live, it may look like your application was submitted on November 2. That’s okay! We still consider applications received in the early morning of November 2 to be on time.
Q: Do I need to submit anything extra to be considered for any Office of Admission scholarships?
A: Nope! Just apply by the Early Action deadline of November 1. If you are applying to a major requiring a portfolio or audition or to the World Bachelor of Business program, you will apply Regular Decision and have until December 1.
There are some organizations at USC that offer additional scholarships you may be eligible for that require an extra application. Please review our full list of scholarships for more information.
*Note: USC is test optional for Fall 2025 undergraduate applicants. Applicants who indicate on the Common App that they do not wish to have their test scores considered are not required to submit test scores in order to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
Q: Why can’t I find my intended major on the list of majors on Common App?
A: Portfolio-based programs are not available in the Early Action round. Students selecting majors in the programs below must apply by December 1 under Regular Decision. These programs do not participate in the Early Action process. As such, applicants to these programs will still be considered for USC Merit Scholarships as part of the portfolio and audition process.
USC School of Architecture
USC School of Cinematic Arts
USC Kaufman School of Dance
USC School of Dramatic Arts
USC Roski School of Art and Design
USC Iovine and Young Academy
USC Thornton School of Music
World Bachelor of Business (USC Marshall School of Business)
Q: What is the applicant portal and how do I access it?
A: A couple of days after submitting your Common Application, you will receive an email with instructions to access your applicant portal, so make sure to check your inbox (and Spam folder)! The subject of the email is “USC Admission Has Received Your Application – Set up your applicant portal today!” Your portal is where you can check the status of your application, including information about any missing items. You are welcome to check the status of your submitted application by logging in to the USC applicant portal at any time. Please note that the portal is updated as materials are processed into our system, not when they are received.
Q: Which application items need to be submitted by the application deadline?
A: For your application to be considered on time, you will need to submit your Common Application and any supplemental materials required by your department (for example, a SlideRoom required portfolio) by the deadline. If transcripts, letters of recommendation, or test scores come in after the deadline, that is okay! Just be sure they are on their way.
Q: My test scores and/or transcript won’t arrive until after the deadline. Is that okay?
A: If your Common Application and any required department supplements (e.g., SlideRoom portfolios) are submitted by the deadline, your application will be considered on time. If school documents, such as transcripts or letters of recommendation, trickle in a little after the deadline, that is okay. Just be sure those are sent as soon as possible!
Q: My transcript was sent, but it hasn’t shown up on my applicant portal checklist. What do I do?
A: High school transcripts will not appear on your portal checklist if you are applying as a first-year applicant. We have your self-reported grades on Common App, which we can refer to until your official transcript is added to your file. If we still don’t have an official transcript after a couple of weeks, we will let you know we are missing documents via email. Be sure you can receive emails from us, and please read your emails! If you set up your Common App account using an email address you never check, it means you will be missing out on important information from USC. If you have used your school's email address, please be sure your school email system does not block messages from outside the school. Similarly, be sure your email account has space to receive new messages.
Q: My test scores were sent, but they haven’t shown up on my applicant portal checklist. What do I do?
A: If the USC applicant portal indicates that your test scores (if you chose to submit them) are not yet received, please verify that your name on the score report exactly matches your name as it appears on your Common Application. If you have only recently requested your scores to be sent to USC, be sure to allow at least two weeks for processing. In the meantime, you can upload a PDF of your score report. Please be sure it includes your name and an identifying piece of information such as your school or address. We also need dates and all section scores from each exam listed on the PDF or screenshot.
Q: I am an international applicant. Is it okay if my financial statement is submitted after the application deadline?
A: Yes, but don’t wait too long. In order to submit your financial statement, you need access to your applicant portal, which won’t become available until after your application is processed in our system. It is totally fine to submit your financial statement after the deadline, but please upload it as soon as possible as it is a required piece of the application for international students—even if you are applying for merit scholarship consideration. Our website has more information about requirements for international applicants.
Q: When will I receive a decision?
A: Early Action applicants will be notified of their admission or a deferral to Regular Decision in mid- to late January 2025. By mid-February we will notify the students who were admitted Early Action if they were selected as scholarship finalists. By April 1, students who were selected as scholarship finalists will know their scholarship decision. Students who were deferred to the Regular Decision round will have an admission decision by April 1.
Q: I received an email about signing an Affirmation. How do I do this?
A: You will need to login to your USC applicant portal and navigate to the Application Affirmation section. This is an electronic signature acknowledging that everything in your application is truthful, correct and yours. This is required for all USC applicants. You can preview the affirmations here.
Q: If I decide to report my SAT/ACT scores, do you require the official test score report?
A: You can send us your official score report or,in the meantime), upload an unofficial copy of your SAT and/or ACT scores through the USC Applicant Portal.
*Note: all students who ultimately enroll at USC and chose to have their scores considered must submit an official score report directly through the testing agency.
USC SAT code number: 4852
USC ACT code number: 0470
Q: I am not going to submit official test scores, but my applicant portal notes that the SAT/ACT score report is missing. What is happening?
A: This data comes from the SAT/ACT question on the Common Application. If you indicated that you would like us to consider your official test scores, we will wait for the score report in order to review your file. If you are no longer interested in submitting your test scores, and we have not already received them, you can update your testing plan in the applicant portal.
Q: My recommender submitted their letter of recommendation on my behalf. Why don’t I see this as a checklist item on my USC applicant portal?
A: Your USC applicant portal checklist will not list letters of recommendation. Rest assured, if a recommender has submitted a letter on your behalf, it has been added to your file.
Q: I have additional letters of recommendation I want to add. How do I do this?
A: Additional letters are not required for admission to USC, unless required by your intended program of study. Please note that quality is more important than quantity! For general admission, we really only need one letter.
Q: Paying the USC application fee is a financial hardship for me and my family. Can I have the Common Application fee waived?
A: If paying the application fee would cause financial hardship, utilize the Common Application fee waiver option.
First-Year Applicants will find this option in the Profile section of the Common Application. You can watch the video below about how to do this!
School-specific fee waiver options can be found in the USC section of the Common Application.
Q: How do I log in to my Financial Aid portal?
A: Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) is a website where students can access their Financial Aid Summary and determine the current status of their application and need-based aid. You will have access to your FAST portal a couple of days after we receive your application for admission. Please log in through the USC applicant portal.
Q: Should I submit my financial aid application before I get an admission decision?
A: Yes! If you are applying Early Action, you will be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. However, need-based aid has a separate process. If you are applying Early Action, you should submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by December 13, 2024 in order to have your need-based aid summary soon after you are admitted to USC. USC is need-blind, meaning we do not consider financial need when making admission decisions. Please make sure to review the Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines.
Q: I just submitted all my USC application materials. Now what do I do?
A: Nice job! Want to know what to do next? Take a look at the admission blog article “Top 5 Things to Do After Applying to USC”.
Q: I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
A: If you have any questions, we invite you to askUSC. Applicants can also call the Admission Contact Center at (213) 740-1111 or send them an email.
You can also follow USC Admission on social media (@USCAdmission on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube) We will post application tips and reminders, as well as answer any final questions you may have.
Good Luck and Fight On!
Edited by: Lucy Jordan, Assistant Director - USC Office of Admission