Graduate Applicants

As you prepare to apply to an Annenberg graduate degree program, consider these useful tips:

Information sessions and webinars
Attend an information session or webinar and carefully read the application guidelines.

Application deadlines and guidelines
View the table on this page that contains deadlines and guidelines for applying to each degree program.

Admission testing
Complete the required admission testing appropriate for your degree program.

Transcripts
Request copies of official transcripts from all colleges/universities you attended.

Letters of recommendation
Identify recommenders that can speak to your ability to be successful in graduate study.

Follow these six steps to submit your graduate application on time:

1. Access the online USC Graduate Admission Application
Review the application guidelines for your degree program before initiating the online USC Graduate Admission Application. Complete all required fields and upload all required supplemental documents.

• Access the USC Graduate Application
• Visit the USC Graduate Admission Website

2. Double-check documents
Read and spell-check every document before uploading to your application.

3. Enter recommenders
You must enter the name and email address for each recommender on your online USC Graduate Application. Your recommender will receive the necessary instructions to submit a recommendation on your behalf. Paper copies of recommendation letters will not be accepted.

4. Upload official transcripts
Upload copies of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (including USC) to the Academic History section of the online graduate application. Include the legend for domestic institutions and the grading scale for international institutions.

5. Submit application
Submit your online USC Graduate Application by the application deadline. You may submit your online application before taking graduate admission tests. Review the graduate application guidelines for more details.

6. Send official transcripts and test scores
After you submit your online USC Graduate Application, USC Graduate Admission will email you a USC ID number within 72 hours. You will use your USC ID when sending your official transcripts. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the USC Office of Graduate Admission using the College/University Transcript Cover Page.

Request to have your admission test results sent to USC using the following codes:

• TOEFL – 4852
• IELTS – Select University of Southern California Graduate Programs

International applicants

If you are not a United States citizen or permanent resident, and you will be entering or have already entered the United States with an F-1 or J-1 student visa, you must apply as an international student.

Proof of financial support
International applicants (those who are, or will be, in the United States on a non-immigrant visa) must submit documented evidence of financial support. You must upload your statement of financial support and a copy of your passport to the Supporting Information section of the online graduate application.

Visit USC Graduate Admissions Financial Support for instructions.

English proficiency requirements
International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. This requirement may only be waived under the following circumstances:

• Your entire undergraduate degree was completed in the United States or another Anglophone country.
• Your native language is English. This applies to English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the only official language of the country and the language of instruction.

Please refer to the USC English Proficiency Requirements for details.

TOEFL or IELTS score minimums
The recommended minimum score for TOEFL is 114 and 8.0 for IELTS. However, all completed applications for admission are reviewed by the faculty admission committee even if you score below the minimum.

Important links for international students

• USC Application Checklist for International Students
• USC Office of International Services

Application status checks
Annenberg Admissions does not provide on-demand application status checks. You will be notified via email by USC Graduate Admission and USC Annenberg Admissions if materials are required to complete your application.

Decision notification
Admission decision notification dates vary by degree program. Official admission decisions are released from USC Graduate Admission. You will receive an email notification from the Office of Graduate Admission informing you that a decision has been made. When you receive the decision notification, follow the instructions in the email to register and view your decision at youSC.