School Reviews
USC Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission
The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading private research university with quality teaching, world-class faculty, diverse undergraduate programs, a high acceptance rate, and internships tailored to your program of choice.
The university was founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney. It is the oldest private research university on South McClintock Avenue in Los Angeles, California, United States.
It has an urban environment covering 229 hectares. “We at News and Report ranked the university 27th among National Universities, 31st for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, 46th for Most Innovative Schools, 60th for Most Valuable Schools, and Best for Veterans.
They ranked it 99th in college and 169th in top performers. Social mobility.
Choosing the University of Southern California as your college is an opportunity to differentiate yourself.
Whichever program you choose, you will have many unmatched opportunities to explore inside and outside the classroom.
There are also plenty of scholarships, internships, and job opportunities to network and gain hands-on experience.
The above are sponsored and supported primarily by alumni who care about their students and the school and are doing everything they can to give back.
What to know about USC
Private research university the University of Southern California (USC) has an admittance rate of 11.4%.
USC, based in the University Park district southwest of downtown Los Angeles, offers over 150 undergraduate majors, with the Marshall School of Business and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences attracting the majority of enrollees.
USC maintains robust research initiatives, is a part of the Association of American Universities, and has a branch of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society for distinction in the liberal arts and sciences.
An 8-to-1 student-to-professor ratio supports academics. The USC Trojans compete in the Pac-12 Conference in sports.
Consider applying to this prestigious institution. The data on USC admissions is shown below.
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What is USC Acceptance Rate in 2024?
USC’s acceptance rate for the 2018–19 admissions season was 11.4%.
As a result, only 11 out of every 100 applicants were accepted, making the admissions process at USC very tough.
8198 people were given admission offers out of roughly 69,000 candidates for the 2022–23 academic year. This year’s acceptance rate of 12% is nearly equal to the previous one.
Previously, this institution provided no early action or decision options. For students applying to most majors this cycle, the university did include an EA option.
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What is USC Transfer Acceptance Rate in 2024?
At USC, the acceptance rate for transfers is 24%. In other words, only 240 out of every 1000 students who apply to transfer to USC are accepted.
Is USC Hard to get into?
As one of the top schools in California, the University of Southern California is a popular destination for the Golden State’s brightest students.
In 2021 alone, 70,000 applicants applied to study at USC. The school sent offers of admission to 8,400 of them with her 12% acceptance rate.
Admittedly, this is a very low approval rate. However, it does not stand out from other USC-level schools.
The school’s closest rival, the University of California, Los Angeles, accepted 15,602 students from 108,877 applicants, with an acceptance rate of 14%.
Just because USC has a lower acceptance rate than other schools of similar quality doesn’t mean it’s easy to get into.
At most, she is accepted by 2 out of 10 students; usually, she is the only one who gets through. Most observers consider USC to be a very competitive institution.
This is a high standard, but there are benefits to such high standards. The more elite the school, the higher its prestige.
Furthermore, if the school has high admission standards, only the best students will be accepted, allowing them to bring out the best in each other.
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Does USC require Test Scores in 2024?
All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to USC. Sixty-one percent of admitted students submitted their SAT scores during the 2018–19 admissions cycle.
According to admissions data, most of USC’s accepted students scored in the top 7% nationwide on the SAT.
50% of applicants to USC received scores for the evidence-based reading and writing section between 690 and 760, while 25% received scores below 690 and 25% received scores over 760.
50% of accepted students received math scores between 720 and 800, 25% received math scores below 720, and 25% received scores over 800.
A composite SAT score of 1560 or higher will put applicants in a particularly competitive position at USC.
All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to USC. 52 percent of accepted students who applied for admission in the 2018–19 cycle sent their ACT results.
According to admissions data, most of USC’s accepted students scored in the top 3% nationwide on the ACT.
The average ACT composite score of the admitted students at USC was between 32 and 35, with 25% getting a score above it and 25% getting a score below it.
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USC SAT Requirements
USC does not require the optional SAT essay part and SAT Subject examinations.
The admissions office will consider your top score from each section across all SAT dates since USC participates in the score choice program.
USC ACT Requirements
USC does not require the ACT’s optional writing portion.
Please be aware that USC does not super score ACT scores; only your greatest composite score from a single test administration will be taken into account.
Read more: UC Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission
What are the Admission Requirements for USC in 2024?
The University of Southern California has a competitive admissions pool with low acceptance rates and high average SAT/ACT scores.
However, USC has a comprehensive admissions process that includes factors other than grades and test scores.
A strong application essay and a great letter of recommendation can enhance your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. USC has additional application requirements for certain majors.
Applicants are advised to review the specific requirements of their intended major.
The majority of students admitted to the University of Southern California have an ‘A’ average, an SAT score (ERW+M) greater than 1200, and an ACT composite score greater than 25.
Higher test scores significantly improve your odds of getting over 75% of admissions.
The student reported an overall ACT score of 30 or higher and a total SAT score of approximately 1300.
However, admission is not guaranteed even if grades and scores meet USC goals.
Also, note that some students are accepted with slightly below-average scores.
These are usually students with special talents or special personal circumstances.
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Transfer Requirements for USC
- They must offer at least one year of rigorous full-time academic courses with good grades.
- At a minimum, he must commit to a year of rigorous full-time study and prove that he is making steady progress toward his degree. Contest candidates usually get 14-16 credits per semester.
- Common application
- You must submit an official high school diploma. Your transcript must include your graduation date.
Please note the following:
- If you completed secondary school outside the United States, a copy of your diploma or certificate of completion might be substituted.
- You must submit a transcript showing all grades received before graduation if you have not graduated from high school.
- You must also submit a copy of your certificate of completion (such as a GED). A statement of reason can be attached to this.
- You must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. This must be submitted regardless of whether or not you have studied or have academic achievements.
Note the following:
- In order for USC to verify your most recent fall semester grades, your current school must send your grades to your school before sending your transcript. It should be sent to the email address etrans@usc.edu. A copy of the transcript cannot be sent to your email address.
- You must send at least one letter of recommendation. However, depending on the major, it may be optional. A portfolio, resume, and/or additional writing samples may be required. The above submissions will vary depending on the field of study.
- You must complete a confirmation that requires a digital signature. Your enrollment is valid. If created by someone else, it will be invalid. If your native language is not English, you must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo test scores.
Please note the following:
- You must score a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL iBT (minimum of 20 on each section). Also
- Minimum IELTS score of 7. Also
- A PTE score of at least 68.
- A minimum score of 120 on the Duolingo English test
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, and Duolingo scores must be current and obtained within two years of the USC filing date.
- You can submit a Duolingo English test to prove your English proficiency, but this does not void the ISE requirement.
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USC (University of Southern California) GPA Requirements in 2024
The middle 50% of the incoming class at the University of Southern California in 2019 had high school GPAs that ranged from 3.72 to 3.99.
25% had a GPA of 3.99 or higher, while 25% had a GPA of 3.72 or lower.
These findings imply that most USC applicants who get admitted have a majority of A grades.
USC does not currently have a strict “cutoff” requirement for test scores, class rank, or grades.
However, a thorough, tailored evaluation procedure that considers these and numerous other aspects will be used to evaluate you.
Nevertheless, USC admission is quite tough, so it is advised to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70 to 3.90.
That means you should have a B average or a combination of Bs.
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How to Apply to USC
If you plan on joining over 70,000 promising Trojans for their next approval cycle, here’s what you need to know.
USC expects proof of high school academic achievement. Participation in some advanced courses, especially in the academic field of interest, is compulsory.
A minimum of 7-8 AP courses is a good goal.
Offer a ‘first-choice major’ in the Common App and have the option to choose a second-choice major or pre-professional focus.
USC does not conduct admissions interviews of any kind, so the best way to connect with admissions officers personally is through the sharing app and supplemental essays/summaries.
USC does not consider “proven interest” in the approval process.
Therefore, it will not be determined whether you have visited the campus (during a non-pandemic period), contacted admissions officers, etc.
Be sure to devote sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by USC.
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Alternative to USC
- Boston college, chestnut hills
- Drexel University, Pennsylvania
- Lafayette College, Easton
- Buckner University, Lewisburg
- Haverford College, Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
61% of students submit their SAT scores to USC. 52% of applicants submit ACT scores when applying.
16% of applicants are admitted to USC. The competition for admission and the university’s top-notch admissions standards are very high. Check if your grades are good enough for admission.
The middle 50% of admitted applicants have SAT scores of between 1340 and 1530. 61% of students submit their SAT scores when applying. Check if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
The middle 50% of applicants have ACT scores of between 30 and 34. 52% of students submit ACT scores when applying. Check if your ACT score is good enough for admission.
Conclusions
USC is a school that seeks out applicants who rank among the top of their high school class and have SAT/ACT scores that are at least in the 90th percentile, with acceptance rates of 11–16% in recent years.
With such a tough admissions process, all students must ensure that they create an acceptable college list with a balance of “target” and “safety” institutions in collaboration with a counselor.
Hopefully, your ambition of becoming a Trojan comes true, but even if it doesn’t, you’ll still wind up at a school with possibilities and qualities that are similar.
References
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