General Information About University of Southern California

Established in 1880, the University of Southern California is a private research university. As the oldest independent research university in the West, the university consists of 17 professional schools and offers 77 degree programs to undergraduates and 139 degree programs to graduate students.

The university enrolls more international students than any other university in the country and is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the nation. In its 2010 edition, U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Southern California the 26th best university in the nation. The publication also ranked the university's graduate education school 22nd, the graduate business school 20th and the law school 18th.

Schools at University of Southern California

• College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
• Roski School of Fine Arts
• School of Cinematic Arts
• School of Theatre
• Thornton School of Music
• Viterbi School of Engineering
• School of Architecture
• School of Policy, Planning, and Development
• Leventhal School of Accounting
• Marshall School of Business
• Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
• School of Dentistry
• Keck School of Medicine of USC
• School of Pharmacy
• Rossier School of Education
• Davis School of Gerontology
• Gould School of Law
• School of Social Work
• The Graduate School

Enrollment Processes and Information

Before applying, students are encouraged to schedule a tour of the university to learn as much as possible about the institution. Students can apply online, using USConnect or on paper. The application has two parts. Although the first part is optional, students who complete it will receive a discount on the application fee .

The mandatory part of the application requires students to submit a completed application, a personal statement, an academic history with official high school transcripts, a counselor or teacher report with a letter of recommendation and official test scores. Students receive a mailed admissions decision in early spring.

Financial Aid Information

To be eligible for financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA form and a university-specific form called the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile. This form determines students' eligibility for federal loans, scholarships, grants and work-study programs. Students must fax or mail their parents' federal tax returns from the previous year to the Financial Aid Office. In addition, California residents must apply for a Cal Grant, which can award thousands of dollars per student each year.

The University of Southern California awards more than 12 scholarships each year. Some scholarships require in-person interviews, essays or additional criteria. Scholarships include the Trustee Scholarship, awarding full tuition; the Presidential Scholarship, awarding half tuition; National Merit Finalist Presidential Scholarship, awarding half tuition; and the Deans Scholarship, awarding a quarter of tuition.

Career Services

The university's Career Planning and Placement Center provides students with career counseling, job and internship databases and job preparation services. Students can bring in resumes and cover letters for critiques, receive valuable networking advice and learn about specific professional paths available after graduation. Throughout the year, the center organizes career fairs, on-campus recruitment events and career workshops. Students can use several job networks, including Trojans Hiring Trojans and ConnectSC, to find local, regional and national career and internship opportunities.

Contact Information

• Address: University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089
• Phone Number: (213) 740-2311