Check out what USC offers for your studies! Find out about campus life, great education, and lots of chances for students from other countries. Become part of a group of different kinds of smart people and creators at USC, where worldwide ideas are important. In this post, we talked about International Students Admission to University of Southern California. Begin applying now!
An Overview of University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC, SC, Southern Cal, or SoCal) is a private university in Los Angeles, California. It started in 1880 by Robert Maclay Widney, thus, making it California’s oldest private university. USC has one school for liberal arts, called the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. As well as 22 other schools for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals. It also has about 21,000 undergraduates and 28,500 post-graduates from all over the United States and more than 115 countries. USC joined the Association of American Universities in 1969.
USC supports many sports teams and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as part of the Pac-12 Conference. Their teams, called the Trojans, have also won 107 NCAA team championships and 412 individual championships. USC athletes have won 326 Olympic medals (153 gold, 96 silver, and 77 bronze), the most of any American university. USC also has the second-highest number of football players drafted to the National Football League (NFL).
In August 2024, USC will join the Big Ten Conference.
USC is known for graduating many alumni who have won Academy and Emmy Awards. Thus, especially from the School of Cinematic Arts. It has also given degrees to 29 living billionaires. USC currently has ten Nobel Laureates, eleven Rhodes Scholars, twelve Marshall Scholars and six MacArthur Fellows. As well as 181 Fulbright Scholars, and one Turing Award winner among its staff and alumni.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Chicago
International Students Admission to University of Southern California
At USC, there are students from 135 different countries, reflecting the diverse global community. More than a quarter of all students are from outside the United States. An international student at USC is someone who comes to the U.S. with a student visa to study and live here, including those with visas like E2, H2, or L2.
If you’re an international student entering college for the first time or if you took college-level courses before finishing high school, you can fill out either the USC Application or the Common App. Pick the one you find easiest to complete. Remember, there’s no advantage in the admission process for using one application over the other.
Application Requirements for International Students Admission to University of Southern California
All international freshman applicants need to submit the following documents
See also: International Students Admission to Duke University
Completed application, including the essay and activities section
You need to provide your high school courses and grades for your senior year, select your first and second-choice majors, complete the essay, and list your extracurricular activities, honors, and awards, regardless of the application type. Additionally, you must decide whether you want your ACT/SAT scores to be considered in the review process.
Application Fee
No matter which application you choose, you’ll need to pay a nonrefundable $100 application fee.
English Proficiency Score
For English proficiency, if you’re from a country on our exempt list or graduated from a U.S. high school, you don’t need to provide English proficiency scores. Otherwise, you’ll need to submit scores from one of the following tests:
See also: International Students Admission to Brown University
- TOEFL Internet Based: 77
- TOEFL Paper Based: 550
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 53
- Duolingo: 115
Additionally, if you have SAT or ACT scores, we’ll consider them, but they’re not required for English proficiency assessment.
If you’re unable to meet the minimum English proficiency score, you might consider USC’s English Programs for Internationals (EPI), an intensive English program. Undergraduate applicants interested in conditional admission should complete the undergraduate admissions application and indicate their interest in both EPI and conditional admission. Additionally, you’ll need to submit an application to EPI separately.
Alternatively, you might want to explore the University of South Carolina’s International Accelerator Program. It’s a one-year transition program designed for international students that leads to a four-year degree at the University of South Carolina.
See also: International Students Admission to Carleton College
Official Secondary School Transcript
To apply, you’ll need official secondary transcripts from all secondary schools you attended. If your transcripts are not in English, they must be translated by a school official and certified. If you apply before graduating from high school, you’ll need to submit final transcripts after graduation.
Official documents must come directly from the original source and remain unopened. Stamped and sealed envelopes from your school, a credential evaluation company, or a test center are considered official. Official documents sent via email by a verified school are also acceptable.
Send all official documents to:
University of South Carolina
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
902 Sumter Street/Lieber College
Columbia, SC 29208
See also: International Students Admission to Oregon State University
Standardized Test Scores (optional)
For spring, summer, and fall 2024, international freshman applicants can choose whether to include an ACT or SAT score for review, thanks to our test-optional policy. However, proof of English proficiency is still required in our review process, depending on your country of citizenship.
International Applicant Academic Considerations for International Students Admission to University of Southern California
Academic Records
International applicants to USC generally follow the same application steps as other first-year or transfer applicants. We understand the various educational systems worldwide and will evaluate your application in the context of your educational background. Here’s what you need to do:
- Provide official copies of academic records from all secondary or senior secondary schools, pre-university programs, colleges, and universities you attended. These records must be sent directly from the institutions or testing agencies. If the records are not in English, they must also be accompanied by an English translation.
- Submit external examination results and/or predicted results, such as GCSE/IGCSE, predicted IB or A-Level, Indian board examination results, Australian ATAR, etc.
- Confirm that your application and all submitted work are your own, truthful, and presented honestly.
See also: International Students Admission to Colby College
When filling out the Common Application:
- Use the name as it appears on your passport and/or I-20 or DS-2019.
- If the name on your academic record differs from your passport, enter the name from your academic record in the “Preferred name” section.
- Provide a valid address outside the United States, even if your current mailing address is in the United States. P.O. boxes are not acceptable.
- Submit a copy of your current passport with the required forms.
Please note that USC does not work with or authorize non-USC entities, such as educational agents, in the recruitment and also selection process.
See also: International Student Admission to Indiana University Bloomington
Academic Expectations
We anticipate that international applicants meet the same standards as our U.S. applicants. We recognize a variety of international qualifications and expect students to submit external examination results or predicted results. Here are the admission requirements for some common educational systems:
- Predicted International Baccalaureate (IB) results.
- Indian Board Examination results.
- GCSE/IGCSE results.
- Predicted A-Level results.
- Australian ATAR results.
If you have qualifications from a different educational system, please reach out to the Office of Admission for further guidance.
See also: International Students Admission to Amherst College
International Baccalaureate (IB)
For International Baccalaureate (IB), we generally require the full Diploma with strong academic performance, typically scores of 5-7 on all Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) exams. Predicted grades should also be included with your application.
British Curriculum
For students following the British Curriculum, we need external results for GCSE/IGCSE exams along with predicted results for A-Level/Pre-U subjects. Admission is not granted based solely on IGCSE/GCSE results. Competitive applicants typically have predicted results of a B or above for at least three A-Level/Pre-U exams. There are no specific subject requirements for entry into USC.
India
In India, completion of Year X and Year XII state board or CBSE/ICSE exams is required. Competitive applicants generally achieve high marks, thus, primarily A1 and A2 grades or scores above 80.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Maryland
China
In China, successful students typically achieve high marks, primarily 90+ out of 100 and 135+ out of 150 for those in the Chinese National Curriculum. For students in an international curriculum, academic expectations align with IB or A-Level results.
French Baccalaureate
For students enrolled in French Baccalaureate schools, scores of 10 or higher are expected, with most competitive applicants scoring 14+ points in each subject.
Standardized Test Scores for International Students Admission to University of Southern California
For the 2024-25 academic year, USC will maintain its test-optional policy. This means that first-year applicants are not obligated to submit SAT or ACT scores during the application process. However, if you choose to send your SAT or ACT scores, they will be evaluated as part of the admission review process, along with other pertinent academic information.
It’s important to note that international applicants who opt to use either the SAT or ACT to demonstrate English language proficiency will have their scores assessed for both English language proficiency and general admission review purposes.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Wisconsin-Madison
Financial Aid for International Students Admission to University of Southern California
Need Based Financial Aid
USC does not provide need-based financial aid for international applicants. Therefore, all international applicants must demonstrate their ability and intention to finance the full cost of attendance (tuition and expenses) at USC for at least the first academic year.
At the time of application, international applicants must submit financial documentation confirming their financial capacity. This documentation must be verified by a bank and dated within the past year. Additionally, applicants relying on support from their home government or another official agency must submit an appropriate financial support document from their sponsor at the time of application.
See also: International Students Admission to University of Pittsburgh
Merit Scholarships
All international applicants who submit their applications by the specified deadline are eligible for USC Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are not awarded based on financial need but are granted through a thorough academic and scholastic evaluation of each applicant’s candidacy. There are no specific minimum eligibility requirements for USC Merit Scholarships.
It’s important to note that the selection process for these scholarships is highly competitive. Therefore, international applicants should not depend solely on these awards to demonstrate their ability to cover the costs of attending USC. Additionally, no USC Merit Scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at the university.
Financial Statement for International Students Admission to University of Southern California
The United States government mandates that all international applicants must demonstrate their ability to cover tuition and living expenses before USC can issue a formal letter of admission and the necessary forms for obtaining a visa. It’s important to note that international students cannot rely solely on income from employment while in the United States to cover educational expenses. U.S. government regulations restrict employment authorization, and student visa holders are required to be full-time students, limiting job opportunities significantly.
See also: International Students Admission to Kenyon College
The Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support are:
- A signed form.
- Proof of sufficient funds (acceptable documents listed below).
- A copy of the current passport.
To ensure a prompt and accurate admission review, applicants should upload the Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support via their USC applicant portal at the time of application.
Acceptable documents for demonstrating financial support include:
- Bank statement.
- Bank letter.
- Sponsorship from an organization (government, corporation, etc.).
- Approved/sanctioned education loans (in-principle sanctioned loans are not accepted).
- Investment portfolio.
These documents must be dated August 2023 or later.
See also: International Students Admission to Colorado College
Documents typically not accepted for this purpose include:
- Tax returns or tax documents.
- Mortgages.
- Employment or salary statements.
- Pending or provisional education loans.
- Property valuations (real estate, jewelry, automobiles, etc.).
- Life insurance.
- Retirement accounts.
Conclusion
In summary, beginning your academic journey as an international student at the University of Southern California offers a life-changing experience filled with exceptional opportunities, a dynamic community, and a dedication to excellence. USC boasts renowned faculty, cutting-edge programs, and a diverse campus culture, ensuring you receive top-tier education and build lasting relationships for your future success. Discover the exciting possibilities awaiting you at USC and start paving the way towards achieving your dreams today.
See also: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-southern-california-1328