Class of 2030 - wow! This new thread is for any and all types of USC questions for students applying during the fall/winter of 2025 to be freshman for the 2026 - 2027 school year. The USC College Confidential community looks forward to helping everyone through this exciting (and stressful) process.
The USC website is amazing and has a wealth of information, please really read through it closely, it’s all there! We are here to answer questions that remain and of course, calling USC admissions is a great resource as well, they are there to help you!
What does USC look for?
It’s certainly more than stats, it’s about you being you. They love individuality and passion. Seriously, that’s important.
USC now has EA/ED and Regular Decison, DEPENDING ON YOUR MAJOR - please pay attention to options and dates.
- How does Early Decision differ from Early Action and Regular Decision?
Early Decision (ED): Binding. This option is only for Marshall School of Business applicants. Students must attend if admitted. Applicants informed of an admission decision by mid-December.
Early Action (EA): Non-binding, and available only to students not applying to portfolio-based programs. Students receive an earlier decision but can apply to other schools. Applicants informed of an admission decision in mid-January.
Regular Decision (RD): Non-binding. Applicants informed of an admission decision by April 1.
Please review the dates and majors for date to apply (and confirm on the website!):
- EARLY ACTION (Majors not requiring a portfolio/audition) — November 1
Early Action (EA) is non-binding, non-restrictive, and is not available for majors requiring a portfolio or audition, with the exception of programs in the Iovine and Young Academy.
-Students must apply EA in order to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships, unless their intended major does not participate in Early Action.
-Students applying to majors requiring a portfolio or audition will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships as part of the Regular Decision process (see below).
-Applicants selecting Early Action will be notified of their admission or option to defer to Regular Decision in mid- to late January.
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EARLY DECISION (Marshall School of Business only) — November 1
-Students who are sure that USC Marshall is their first choice, and are prepared to make a commitment to attend, can apply Early Decision (ED) to USC Marshall. Please note that the World Bachelor in Business major is not open to applicants applying ED. -
REGULAR DECISION (Majors requiring a portfolio or audition) — December 1
-Students applying to majors that require a portfolio or audition must apply Regular Decision by the December 1 deadline. Candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships. -
REGULAR DECISION (Majors not requiring a portfolio/audition) — January 10
-Final first-year deadline for majors not requiring a portfolio or audition.
-Regular Decision applicants will be notified of a decision by April 1.
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES
Early Decision Deadline: November 1, 2025
Early Action Deadline: December 12, 2025
Regular Decision Deadline: February 4, 2026
If serious about USC, and you haven’t been to campus, try to do so if at all possible for you. The visit can be what really makes you feel like a college is “the one.” You can visit on tours anytime or wait till the mad rush of admitted student days in April.
If you can’t visit, there is of course plenty of info online, but to feel the vibe it’s great to be on campus if possible.
Fun Facts:
-21K undergrads, 26K grad and professional for 47K student poplulation (it’s a big machine)!
-USC received 82,027 applications for academic year 2024-2025. The total number of admitted students was 8,050, with 3,489 of the admitted students matriculating.
-The middle 50-percent average GPA (unweighted) was 3.79-4.00
-Most represented states are CA, NY, TX, ILL, NJ, WA, Oregon
-Over 12K students are from other countries
-USC COA IS $99,131 (I’m guessing tweeks were made to keep it under 100k!)
Scholarships for the incoming freshman class:
USC Trustee Scholars (full tuition) 57
USC Presidential Scholars (half tuition) 334 (includes NMF)
USC Dean’s Scholars (quarter tuition) 164
Recipients of other USC merit scholarships 90
USC is certainly competitive, but it an amazing college experience if you are lucky enough to attend.
Start getting involved by following USC Admission’s social media sites to keep up with dates and goings on at USC. And of course USC Football this fall!
Good luck Class of 2030 and Fight On!