Plan now for a great future.
Starting on the path to college success
This brochure will help you learn about the college application and admission process and determine the best subjects to take in a college-preparatory track.
Here are some things you can start doing now to prepare for college:
• Build your support team. School coun selors and teachers can make sure you’re taking the classes you need and help keep you on track.
• Strive to earn A’s in all your courses.
• Use this brochure to make sure you’re completing the steps necessary to maxi mize your chances of getting into USC.
• Create and maintain a résumé file that includes:
• Report cards, diplomas and certificates.
• Awards and honors you receive.
• Your school and community activities and any offices you hold in those orga nizations.
• A list of any volunteer or paid jobs you hold.
Be sure to update this file every semester.
USC.EDU
Four Facts
ABOUT APPLYING TO COLLEGE
You don’t have to be rich to attend a private university.
Students eligible for need-based financial aid may find that college is more affordable than they think. A variety of programs are available to assist with covering the cost of a USC education, from merit scholarships and grants to free tuition for the first two years of college for U.S. families earning less than $80,000 per year.
There’s not one ‘perfect’ college for you.
There are many colleges right for you. Research your options and you will find that more than one college can meet all your criteria. Visit the College Board’s Big Future website for free and accurate information about thousands of colleges and universities. bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Applying for financial aid will not necessarily affect your admission to college.
Many colleges, including USC, do not consider a family’s ability to pay when making admission decisions. This is called “need-blind” admission.
Admission officers consider more than grades and test scores when evaluating an applicant.
USC takes a holistic approach to admission decisions. In addition to your academic record, we weigh qualities such as leadership potential, talent and personal character. We want to see how you might fit into, and contribute to, the USC community.
College Entrance Exams
To learn about how college entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT, factor into your application review at USC, please visit admission.usc.edu/apply/first-year-students.
Financial Aid at USC
The cost of college can be offset with financial aid, which can come from your home state, the federal government, and even your college. USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the U.S.
Approximately two-thirds of students at USC receive f inancial aid.
Need-based financial aid is offered according to the demonstrated need of the student and family. Financial aid includes need-based grants, merit scholarships, loans and Federal Work-Study.
Merit scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic and extracurricular achievement. For more information about USC Merit and other scholarships, please visit admission.usc.edu/scholarships.
For general information, please visit financialaid.usc.edu.
Net Price Calculator
To find out your potential eligibility for need-based financial aid, please visit our Net Price Calculator at financialaid.usc.edu/npc.
8th Grade
Although colleges won’t generally look at the grades you earned before high school, creating good study habits early will help you in the years to come.
If you fall behind or have trouble in a course, ask for help. Look for a tutor, friend, counselor or parent who can help.
Join clubs and organizations at your school or in your community to explore your interests and learn leadership skills.
Form study groups with friends who also plan to go to college, and study together as often as possible.
What is a “college preparatory track”?
A college prep schedule requires you to take at least four college preparatory classes every year of high school.
We recommend you take:
• Courses that will challenge you. Take the most difficult courses you think you can handle. These will prepare you for universities with selective admission (those that receive more applications than they can accommodate). Push yourself, but be careful not to become overwhelmed.
• Extra classes in the subjects you excel in. Your school counselor will help you plan your schedule according to your strengths and interests.
• Challenging classes such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses (if you are prepared and if your high school offers them).
English and Literature: 4 years
Math: 3–4 years
Foreign Language: 2–4 years
Laboratory/Natural/Physical Science: 2–4 years
History and Social Science: 2 years
Academic Electives: 3 years
USC applicants are expected to have earned a grade of C or better in at least three years of high school mathematics, including Advanced Algebra (Algebra II). However, we recommend that students continue taking math courses beyond Advanced Algebra when possible.
9th Grade
Now that you’re in high school, preparing for college begins in earnest. Colleges will consider everything you do for the next four years, so this is your opportunity to impress.
If you fall behind or have trouble in a course, ask for help. Look for a tutor, friend, counselor or parent who can help.
Join clubs and organizations at your school or in your community to explore your interests and learn leadership skills.
Form study groups with friends who also plan to go to college, and study together as often as possible.
11th Grade
This is the year you will begin exploring what various colleges have to offer and making important choices. Make sure your grades remain strong, because this is the year colleges will examine most closely.
Continue your extracurricular activities, and take the initiative to lead programs or plan activities.
Attend any in-person or virtual college fairs and presentations by college representatives.
Make a list of colleges you would like to apply to.
Meet with the colleges that interest you the most. In-person or virtual visits will give you a firsthand look at student life and give you the chance to meet with admission staff. Visit admission.usc.edu/meet-us to see your options for learning more about USC.
Stay up to date by signing up for the mailing lists of your favorite colleges.
Begin looking for various scholarship opportunities offered through the colleges you’re interested in, or through outside agencies.
10th Grade
It’s a busy year. You may be learning to drive or working at your first real job. It’s also the year you start exploring your collegiate interests and step up your academic efforts.
Take on a leadership role in an extracurricular activity and participate in other activities that may interest you.
Begin learning about colleges that interest you. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org for more information.
12th Grade
The final year of high school is when you prepare for your college experience, from application to acceptance to enrollment.
A fourth year of math and a laboratory science are strongly recommended for your senior year.
If your school does not offer an AP or IB curriculum, consider enrolling in a course at a local community college or university.
Finalize your list of colleges that you would like to apply to.
Learn more about financial aid and how to apply at financialaid.usc.edu
Continue your extracurricular activities. Find new ways to demonstrate leadership, persistence, thoughtfulness, creativity or some other special trait through your activities.
Ask your teachers and counselors for recommendation letters.
Complete your college essay.
Meet all college application deadlines and requirements.
Complete and submit applications. Submit a portfolio and/or register for an audition if you are applying to an arts program.
What should I do in the summer?
• Work as a volunteer in an area where your community needs help.
• Relax and take time off before the next academic year.
• Consider retaking a class in which you re ceived a grade you weren’t satisfied with, or take a new class in summer school.
• Gain valuable experience and save money for college by working a part-time job or pursuing an internship in an area that interests you.
• Take part in academic enrichment pro grams and special summer workshops or camps in subjects that interest you. Many of these are held on college campuses.
The summer before your senior year:
Complete any audition tapes, art portfolios or special materials required for admission to programs in the fine and performing arts.
Start working on your college essay. This will give you enough time to rewrite it before sub mitting it with your college applications.
USC offers undergraduates a
array of majors, minors and interdisciplinary programs.
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences American Popular Culture American Studies and Ethnicity
African American Studies American Studies Asian American Studies Chicano/Latino Studies Anthropology Applied and Computational Mathematics Archaeology Art History Astronomy Biochemistry Biological Sciences Biophysics
Central European Studies Chemistry Classics Cognitive Science Comparative Literature Computational Neuroscience Contemporary Latino & Latin American Studies Creative Writing Earth Sciences East Asian Area Studies East Asian Languages & Cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) Economics Economics/Mathematics English Environmental Science & Health Environmental Studies French Gender and Sexuality Studies GeoDesign Geological Sciences Global Geodesign Global Studies
Health and Human Sciences History Human Biology Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence Intelligence & Cyber Operations International Relations International Relations (Global Business)
International Relations and the Global Economy Italian Jewish Studies
Latin American and Iberian Cultures, Media and Politics Law, History and Culture Linguistics Mathematics
Middle East Studies Narrative Studies Neuroscience Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change Philosophy Philosophy and Physics Philosophy, Politics & Economics Philosophy, Politics & Law Physics Physics/Computer Science Political Economy Political Science
Psychology
Quantitative Biology (first-years only)
Religion Russian Sociology
Spanish
USC School of Architecture Architecture, B.ARCH Architecture and Inventive Technologies, B.S (first-years only)
Iovine and Young Academy Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation
Roski School of Art & Design Art, B.A. Design, BFA Fine Arts, BFA Marshall School of Business Accounting (first-years only) Artificial Intelligence for Business (first-years only) Business Administration Business Administration and Cinematic Arts (first-years only)
World Bachelor in Business (firstyears only)
USC School of Cinematic Arts Animation + Digital Arts, BFA Cinema and Media Studies, B.A. Film and Television Production, BFA (first-years only) Film and Television Production, B.A. (transfers only)
Game Art, BFA Game Development and Interactive Design, BFA Media Arts + Practice, B.A. Themed Entertainment, BFA Writing for Screen & Television, BFA
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Communication Journalism
Public Relations
Kaufman School of Dance Dance, BFA USC School of Dramatic Arts Theatre, B.A. Theatre (Acting, Stage and Screen), BFA Theatre (Design), BFA Theatre (Musical Theatre), BFA Theatre (Sound Design), BFA Theatre (Stage Management), BFA Theatre (Technical Direction), BFA
Viterbi School of Engineering Undeclared Engineering (first-years only)
Aerospace Engineering Astronautical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biomedical (Electrical) Biomedical (Mechanical) Biomedical (Molecular-Cellular) Chemical Engineering Chemical (Biochemical) Chemical (Environmental) Chemical (Nanotechnology) Chemical (Petroleum) Chemical (Polymer/Materials Science)
Chemical (Sustainable Energy) Civil Engineering Civil (Building Science) Civil (Construction Engineering & Management) Civil (Environmental) Civil (Structural) Civil (Water Resources) Computer Engineering & Computer Science
Computer Science Computer Science Games Computer Science/Business Administration Electrical & Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechanical (Petroleum)
Davis School of Gerontology Human Development & Aging Lifespan Health
Gould School of Law Legal Studies, B.S. Keck School of Medicine Global Health Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
Thornton School of Music Bachelor of Music degrees: Choral Music Composition, Classical Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal) Music Production Popular Music Performance Classical Performance (instrumental and vocal)
Bassoon Cello Clarinet Classical Guitar Double Bass Flute French Horn Harp Oboe
Organ Percussion Piano Saxophone Trombone Trumpet Tuba Viola Violin Vocal Arts
Bachelor of Science degree: Music Industry
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy (first-years only)
USC School of Pharmacy Biopharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacology & Drug Development
Price School of Public Policy Public Policy Real Estate Development Urban Studies and Planning Pre-Professional Emphases Pre-Dentistry Pre-Law Pre-Medicine Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician Assistant Practice Pre-Teaching
Majors
wide
List accurate at time of printing. For an updated list, please refer to the USC Catalogue online at catalogue.usc.edu