University of Southern California

USC Applicant Portal Activation: QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to USC on October 18, and USC may need a couple of days to import them into their system. Once processed, USC will then email you instructions to log in and activate your applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit to USC.

1

The USC QuestBridge Writing Supplement (or the Common App for applicants to portfolio-based majors) and all supporting documents

After your QuestBridge Application has been forwarded to the University of Southern California, you will receive instructions on accessing your USC Applicant Portal. For students applying to non-portfolio-based majors, please fill out the USC QuestBridge Supplement found on your USC Applicant Portal by November 1

Applicants to programs in Architecture, Fine Arts, Music, Cinematic Arts, and BA Theatre must submit a Common App and the appropriate portfolio for your major of choice.

2

(Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported or Official Reports

SAT code: 4852
ACT code: 0470

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, USC offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about USC’s test-optional policy. Students who rank USC can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in the school's review of their application. For students who would like to submit test scores, USC accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Official scores will be required for students who enroll at USC and request that their scores be considered for admission. 

International applicants will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their 2023 USC application. However, those whose native language is not English will still be required to submit test results from the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic English proficiency examinations.

Please note that students who submit results from the Duolingo English Test will still be required to take the International Student Exam. See our webpage for more details about English Proficiency Criteria. DACA or Undocumented students are not considered international. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions.

3

Supplemental Application Materials for Portfolio-Based Majors (if necessary)

Applicants to programs in Architecture, Fine Arts, Music, Cinematic Arts, and B.A. Theatre must submit supplemental application materials by November 1 through the SlideRoom link on the Common Application. See the Additional Application Requirements website for more information.

Applicants to BFA Dance, BFA Theater, the Iovine-Young Academy, and the World Bachelor in Business program will not be considered for the Match process and must apply to USC using the Common App.

4

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 4852
Available: Oct. 1

Required for all applicants. Please select "Regular Decision" as your admission application type. 

If your parents are divorced, separated, or never married and don't live together:

• Your non-custodial parent must also submit a CSS Profile.
• If you do not have any contact with your non-custodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Download the Non-Custodial Parent Waiver/Appeal Form, which will be available after October 1. Remember that this will be available only after you have already submitted the USC QuestBridge Writing supplement or Common App.
• See USC's FAQ for more information on non-custodial parents here.

5

2022 Federal Tax Returns and Forms for Custodial and Non-Custodial Parent (if applicable)
Deadline: Nov. 5

Do not submit the following financial aid documents until your USC QuestBridge Writing Supplement or your Common Application has been submitted. Only after you have submitted your QuestBridge Writing Supplement or Common Application will you be able to submit these financial aid documents through the USC FAST Portal.

Both the custodial and non-custodial parent must submit copies of their 2022 federal tax returns signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms and other earning statements. Include personal and corporate/partnership tax returns.

6

Other Financial Aid Documents (if applicable)
Deadline: Nov. 8

Do not submit the following financial aid documents until your USC QuestBridge Writing Supplement or your Common Application has been submitted. Only after you have submitted your Writing Supplement or Common Application will you be able to submit these financial aid documents through the USC FAST Portal.

The FAST Portal can be found on the USC Admission Portal. Check your email after submitting your QuestBridge Match Application for access to the USC Admission portal.

USC's Financial Aid office may request additional financial information from you to complete your application. Please check your FAST portal after November 8 to see any required supplemental documents.

To access requested forms, log in to your USC Applicant Portal, click on the “USC FAST” logo in the upper right corner, select Academic Year 2024-2025, and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Document Library. Select Academic Year 2024-2025 to locate the form you need.

Please see USC's Special Circumstances and Appeals page if you feel a special circumstance applies to your situation.

If you are an AB-540 eligible California resident, please complete a Dream Act Application.

Additional financial aid application instructions can be found here.

SUBMIT AS SOON AS AVAILABLE (likely by late December)

2024-2025 FAFSA

FAFSA code: 001328

The FAFSA will not be available until at least December 2023. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and submit it directly to USC.

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

Parents and students should use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer their IRS tax information from the IRS into their FAFSA.

Early Decision or Early Action

Finalists who ranked USC in the Match but did not match with another school may request to be considered for Early Action admission to USC, which is non-binding.

If you are interested in being considered for Early Action admission after the Match, please fill out the USC Early Action Request Form in your USC Applicant Portal, available after the Match process. Please fill this form out by December 10.

Regular Decision

All Finalists who rank USC for the Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved into the Regular Decision process. Please submit an updated transcript and any relevant updates.

If you no longer wish to be considered for admission to USC, you can withdraw your application on your USC Applicant Portal. Note this will withdraw you from both Match consideration and Regular Decision consideration. If you wish to withdraw your application from the Match process, you must contact the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).

Finalists who ranked USC and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank USC

Common App and all supporting documents

In the Profile section of the Common Application, students should select ‘Yes’ for applying for a Common App Fee Waiver and choose one of the options that describe the economic need. Within the USC Supplement, students can select ‘Not Applying for a USC fee waiver’ when asked about school-specific fee waivers.

Within the USC Questions section, students can select “Not applying for a USC fee waiver” when asked about school-specific fee waivers.

Some portfolio-based majors require supplementary materials. Details can be found on the Common Application and here. Apply by the December 1 deadline if required.

Only students applying to talent-based majors by the December 1st deadline will be considered for merit scholarships.

Midyear Report
Deadline: When fall grades are finalized

Official Transcripts

Update including recent grades

(Optional) Test Scores
Official Reports

SAT code: 4852
ACT code: 0470

Only if new scores to report

Finalists who ranked USC and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank USC

2024-2025 FAFSA 

FAFSA code: 001328

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 4852
Available: Oct. 1

USC 2022 Tax Information or Non-Filing Statement Form - Parents

Dream Act Application
for AB-540 eligible California residents

If applicable