Digital Social Media (MS) Fall 2024
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 5, 2024. New students are admitted to the fall term only.
What content should be in my application résumé?
List all internships and paid employment. Provide the nature of work and dates of employment. Include academic and professional awards, honors, teaching experience, subject matter expertise and language(s) proficiency other than English. Your résumé may exceed one page.
What content should be in my personal statement?
This statement should be approximately 700 words, typed and double-spaced. Be sure to address the following prompts in your statement. Care should be taken to submit a clear, concise and well-written essay.
- Describe your reasons for applying to the MS in Digital Social Media, your preparation for this field, and other relevant aspects of your background and interests.
- What are your specific short-term and long-term career objectives after receiving your MS degree in digital social media?
The statement must be your original words and work. Avoid using ChatGPT or other generative AI tools.
What type of writing sample is required?
If you earned your bachelor's degree less than three years ago, an academic paper is required. If you earned your bachelor’s degree more than three years ago, your writing sample may be a professional report, long memo, project proposal, white paper, published article, etc.
The writing sample must be your original work. Avoid using ChatGPT or other generative AI tools or another person to write on your behalf.
How many letters of recommendation are needed and from whom?
Submit two letters of recommendation. One recommendation must be from a faculty instructor. If you have substantial work experience, you may provide a professional reference from a job or internship (managers and supervisors only).
What admission test scores are required?
The USC Annenberg School has suspended the GRE requirement for all graduate applicants for admission to the 2024 admission cycle. All international student applicants are expected to demonstrate adequate English-language proficiency. To learn more about how to satisfy this requirement, click here. Also, review the USC Graduate Admission video tutorial titled, “English Proficiency Requirements for International Students” for more details.
What financial support is available?
Departmental merit scholarships and fellowships are competitively awarded. All completed applications are considered for admission and departmental awards.
All US citizens and permanent residents are urged to submit a FAFSA after the admission application deadline.
International student applicants will find critical information at http://gradadm.usc.edu/international-students-financial-documentation.
Application Guidelines
The online USC Graduate Admission Application opens October 1, 2023. Go to https://usc.liaisoncas.com to access the application.
Assemble the following documents and program materials which must be uploaded to your application:
- CV or Résumé
- Personal Statement
- Writing Sample
- Copy of Official Transcript(s)
All program materials must be in English and uploaded to the online application. Note: Once your application has been submitted, you may not add, edit or change any document or program material. Also, all submitted documents and program materials become the property of USC and will not be returned.
Official Transcripts
Copies of a registrar-issued official transcript (with registrar’s signature, stamp or seal) from all colleges and universities attended (including USC) must be uploaded to your application in the Academic History section. If you do not possess copies of your registrar-issued official transcripts, request to have official transcripts with legend or grading scale emailed to you from your previous colleges/universities.
After submitting your online application, request to have e-transcripts sent from your degree conferring institutions to USC Graduate Admission at etrans@usc.edu.
Note:
- International transcripts must include the original language and the English translation as one document.
- Transcripts from your institution’s student portal are unacceptable.
Recommendations
Create online profiles in the Program Materials section of the application by providing names and email addresses of your recommenders. Instructions and forms will be emailed to your recommenders. Only recommendations submitted through the online process are accepted.
Graduate Admission Testing
GRE scores are not required for admission to fall 2024.
Valid TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores (taken August 2022 or later) are required from international student applicants unless waived; see below for the exception. To be considered official, USC must receive scores electronically from the testing service. Photocopies or paper copies of scores are unacceptable.
- For TOEFL, request to have your scores sent to the USC institution code 4852.
- For IELTS or PTE, select “University of Southern California” from the list of available institutions when you register for the test. Alternatively, provide this information to your testing center after you have taken the test.
Exception: If you completed your entire bachelor’s degree in the United States or another Anglophone country (i.e. where English is both the language of instruction and the only official language of the country), TOEFL and IELTS are waived.
Note: Completing a master’s degree In the United States or another Anglophone country will not waive TOEFL or IELTS.
Video Interview
All applicants are required to complete a recorded video interview via Kira Assessments. The recorded video response is an opportunity for the faculty admissions committee to get a sense of your potential and how you think on your feet. No advance preparation is required.
A desktop or laptop computer with a functioning webcam, microphone and internet connection are required. You may complete unlimited practice sessions prior to starting the interview. Once started, applicants will have one opportunity to respond (no exceptions).
Application Fee
Pay the $90 non-refundable application fee with a credit card or request an application fee waiver prior to submitting an application.
Fee Waiver
Review the fee waiver requirements at USC Graduate Admission website: https://gradadm.usc.edu/lightboxes/us-students-fee-waivers/. Applicants seeking a fee waiver must start the online application and then wait for the fee waiver approval before submitting the application.