Transfer students at USC have a higher acceptance rate compared to the previous year, with 2,310 students out of 9,488 applicants being accepted in the fall of 2023, resulting in a 24.4% acceptance rate. This is a slightly more favorable rate than other competitive colleges, making USC a more accessible option for transfer students looking to continue their education at a reputable institution.
In order to be considered for transfer admission to USC, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 on a 4.00 scale from a regionally accredited college or university. However, certain colleges and programs within the university may require a higher GPA on all college coursework attempted. It is important for transfer students to carefully review the specific GPA requirements for their intended major or program of study before applying to USC.
The admission process for transfer students at USC involves submitting official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and possibly additional materials depending on the specific program or major. Meeting the minimum GPA requirement is essential, but applicants should also focus on highlighting their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and relevant experiences to strengthen their application for admission to USC.
| USC Transfer Acceptance Rate | 24.4% |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate Comparison | Higher than last year’s rate of 23.6% |
| GPA Requirement | Minimum GPA of 2.25 on a 4.00 scale |
| Specific Program Requirements | Some programs require a higher GPA on all college work attempted |
| Total Applicants | 9,488 |
| Total Accepted Students | 2,310 |
Here is the USC transfer acceptance rates by major. The higher the acceptance rate, the more popular that major is with students at other universities. The major with the highest acceptance rate is shown first. Of course, just because a major has a high transfer acceptance rate doesn’t ensure admission to USC. Each year USC gets thousands of applications for less than 1,000 seats (for freshmen). All students are competing against each other for those seats, and will need solid grades and test scores no matter what their major is.
As a transfer student at USC, you will enjoy unparalleled opportunities in and outside the classroom. From access to world-class faculty and the ability to conduct your own original research, to acquiring real-world experience through service learning and internship programs, the possibilities are endless. Transfer admission to USC remains highly competitive, and we look for students with outstanding talents and leadership skills.
Getting into the University of Southern California (USC) is not that difficult. To get admitted to USC, prospective students are to meet up with the admission requirements as well as get acquainted with the University of Southern California acceptance rate.
The University of Southern California (USC) is a highly ranked private school located in Los Angeles, and, as a result, it draws thousands of qualified applicants each year. If you’re applying here, you may be wondering what the USC admissions requirements are and what you’ll need to stand out as an applicant.
Notwithstanding, as a top-ranked private research institution, the University of Southern California offers everything you are looking for: an interdisciplinary education informed by a global perspective, more academic opportunities than any other American university, a vibrant campus life, a location in the heart of a dynamic world center and the lifelong support of the Trojan Family.
Therefore, to increase your chances of getting admitted, this article will explain how the University of Southern California accepts in-state and out-of-state students as well as international students. Also, you will get vital information on the admission criteria and student life at USC.
Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California. For the 2018–19 academic year, there were 20,000 students enrolled in four-year undergraduate programs.
USC also has 27,500 graduate and professional students in a number of different programs, including business, law, engineering, social work, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and medicine. It is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles and generates $8 billion in economic impact on Los Angeles and California.
University Of Southern California Campuses
University Of Southern California Ranking
Each year more than 50,000 of the most talented high school seniors in the country and from all over the world apply to USC.
USC received a record number of 66,000 freshman applications for its 2019 admission cycle, bringing the admission rate down to 11% — the lowest in history.
Mary Basilious, a senior at Village Christian School in Sun Valley, who was recently admitted, said she felt intimidated by the University’s low admission rate and was excited about this year’s record rates.
“USC seems to be a very diverse school,” Basilious said. “It’s much more diverse than a lot of elite universities, so I’d feel a lot more comfortable going there.”
USC admission rate has steadily declined since it was 17.8% in 2014. The rate then dropped to 17.5 percent in 2015, 16.5 percent in 2016 and 16 percent in 2017.
This means that for every 100 students who applied, 11 students were admitted, thus making USC’s admissions process highly competitive.
| Admissions Statistics (2018-19) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 66,198 |
| Percent Admitted | 11.4% |
| Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) | 42% |
In 2019, USC received 9503 transfer applicants.
The school accepted 2335 students. Therefore, the transfer acceptance rate for USC is 24.57%.
This indicates how hard it is to transfer into USC. You can use the free calculator below to predict your chances of getting accepted.
Transferring to colleges can be quite time-consuming and overwhelming, so we have taken the time to explain USC transfer rates for you. This will help in transitioning successfully without much friction.
So, here is the list of documents for consideration if you want to transfer to USC.
| Admission Item | Required? |
|---|---|
| High School Transcript | Required of All |
| College Transcript | Required of All |
| Essay or Personal Statement | Required of All |
| Interview | Not Required |
| Standardized Test Scores | Required of Some |
| Statement of Good Standing from Prior Institution | Not Required |
However, USC does not report a specific number of credits required for transfer.
As a high school graduate in the U.S, if you want to get into USC, the first thing you look out for is the acceptance rate. This shows how serious their admission requirement is.
If you’re currently a junior or a senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.76, you’ll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. The average SAT score composite at USC is 1440 on the 1600 SAT scale. So, this makes USC strongly competitive.
With international students from 135 countries and regions, the University of Southern California mirrors the rich diversity of the global community.
Students already residing in the United States and holding other non-immigrant visas (for instance, an E2, H2, or L2) are also considered international students.
General admission requirements for international students:
At the University of Southern California, exceptional students become extraordinary people by developing their mind, body, and spirit. Typically, there are various interesting things about studying at USC.
For instance, for students with young families, USC does offer some daycare. Programs like this are sometimes in very high demand, so be sure to inquire as soon as you can.
Generally, life at USC is very lively because the University is situated in Los Angeles; the city that never sleeps. There is a multitude of different social, cultural, recreational and wellness initiatives. Even in athletics, USC is not left behind. It has a total of 678 student-athletes, 322 men and 356 women who compete in intercollegiate athletics.
In addition, each campus has a team dedicated to providing the best supports, opportunities, and resources for students to reach their full potential.
Successful Transfer Applicants:
USC accepts both sophomore and junior transfer students.
By transferring as early as your sophomore year, you can take more of your General Education and elective courses at USC. You will be part of the USC community for a longer time and have more opportunities to get involved with campus life and make the connections that can help you after graduation.
Alternately, if your academic record in high school fell short of USC expectations, you may be able to position yourself as a stronger candidate if you complete two years of solid undergraduate coursework at another institution before applying to transfer. Additionally, if you complete most of your General Education requirements before transferring, you will have more time to pursue a double major, a major-minor combination, or a unit-heavy major while you are enrolled at USC.
Current high school students, please note: If you are still in high school, USC considers you a first-year applicant, regardless of the number of college units completed prior to high school graduation. If you have questions about your class standing, please call the USC Office of Admission at (213) 740-1111.
USC does not require a minimum number of transfer units.* However, if you will have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester units by the end of the spring term, we will base our decision either primarily on your high school record and/or SAT or ACT scores (if you submit them). Please note that applicants to the 2022-2023 academic year are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, although they may still submit them if they wish.
*The School of Cinematic Arts, however, does require 48 units to transfer into the Film and Television Production program.
You must submit official college transcripts from any and all colleges you have attended, regardless of whether or not all coursework or degree requirements were completed. Failure to do so may be viewed as a violation of academic integrity, which could result in revocation of admission and/or dismissal from the university.
Transfer applicants must indicate a first-choice major on the application. We also consider transfer students for an optional second-choice major or “open/undecided” status.
International transfer applicants whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic or Duolingo test score earned within two years of their application date.
Placement exams offered at your current college will determine your need for any remedial coursework in writing and mathematics prior to your admission to USC. Remedial courses are not transferable.
As many as 24 semester units, including up to 4 units of General Education courses, may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. Typically, only one Core Literacy course may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.* Both of the Global Perspectives courses may be taken on a Pass/ No Pass basis. Please note that writing courses taken on a Pass/No Pass basis will not fulfill USC’s lower-division Writing requirement.
International applicants please refer to the International Students page for an Application Checklist.
Many universities accept transfer applications during each semester. For this reason, we break down USC transfer deadline by fall, winter, spring and summer.
| Closing Date | Reported Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall Transfer Deadline | February 1 |
| Winter Transfer Deadline | |
| Spring Transfer Deadline | |
| Summer Transfer Deadline |
Waiting until the last minute to finalize your application could result in a silly mistake.
We recommend you complete your application at least 1 week before the required deadline.
USC requires a minimum college GPA of 3.7 – this is on a 4.33 point scale.
In addition, USC requires a minimum high school GPA of 3.7.
There are a lot of reasons to transfer to USC. Maybe your plan has always been to attend community college, and then move to a four year college to save money while completing your degree.
Maybe you had a bad experience at your first school – don’t worry this is more common than you think.
Or perhaps you’re drawn to Los Angeles…
Regardless of your reason for transferring, you’re already enrolled at another college or university so you know that the most important element in your college experience is the people and community
Finding success at USC is dependent on feeling comfortable – will you be able to find a place to find home and grow?
Let’s wrap up everything we’ve learned. If you still have questions about transferring, check out the USC website for more info.
USC accepts 24.57% transfer applicants, which is competitive.
To have a shot at transferring into USC, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.79 – ideally you’re GPA will be around 3.94. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores.
The below tables show the SAT and ACT breakdown of USC students.
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 650 | 770 | 710 |
| SAT Reading | 630 | 730 | 680 |
| 2018 Total SAT Score | 1280 | 1500 | 1390 |
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 35 | 32 |
| ACT Reading | 34 | 36 | 35 |
| 2018 Total ACT Score | 64 | 71 | 67 |
University of Southern California (USC)’s average SAT score is 1390. To be a competitive applicant for University of Southern California (USC) your SAT score should come close to the average – for the ACT you should be aiming for the equivalent.