Transfer applicants will receive either an admission decision or a request for their spring term grades by June 1st.

Be sure to read my blog post about why you may not hear back by June 1st!

To confirm receipt of your application materials, you may log in to your USConnect account or contact the Office of Admission by e-mail or by telephone at (213) 740-1111 (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time). For faster service, have your USC ID available.

Below is a list of the common reasons USC will be unable to move forward with the review of your application – which means we won’t be able to get back to you by June 1st.

• You haven’t submitted an official high school transcript – with graduation date.

Whether you graduated high school last June or a several years ago, we need to verify that you graduated from high school (or earned your GED).  Be sure that the official high school transcript you submit includes your graduation date.

• You haven’t submitted official college transcripts from all schools attended since high school graduation.

First, let’s talk about what qualifies as an official transcript.  Official transcripts are sealed in an envelope and marked official.  Scanned, faxed or emailed reproductions of your transcript will not be considered official. If you pick up your official transcript from your school be sure not to open the envelope or tamper with the seal. Doing so will make your transcript unofficial.

Next, USC needs official transcripts from all the schools you have attended since graduating from high school.   We need your full academic history to make an admission decision.

• You haven’t submitted your fall 2011 grades (or your winter grades, if applicable)

Your official transcript(s) should include your fall 2011 grades.  If you submitted your transcripts to USC before your fall grades were reported, be sure to send in  your updated transcript(s) with fall 2011 grades.

Additionally, for those of you who took coursework during the winter – please be sure to send us your winter 2012 grades ASAP.

Official Transcripts can be mailed to the following address:

P.S. a few of you are suspicious of the address listed above because “it doesn’t look like an address”.  This is, indeed, the address for the USC Office of Admission – even though it doesn’t look like one.

You can visit USConnect to view which documents USC has on file or call 213-740-1111.

Keep in mind, it can take several business days for your documents to process into your file.  If you just put your transcript in the mail  three days ago it won’t be in your file yet. Once it arrives at USC, we need some time to process it. Processing a document/transcript into your file can take 10 or more business days.

Check out the “early life” of your application here.

USC will contact you if you are missing required documents/information.  All transfer applicants who submit a complete application by the deadline will be mailed an admission decision or a request for spring semester grades by June 1.

Our email is flooded.

This can only mean that the transfer application deadline is around the corner! To meet the transfer application deadline you need to submit the Common Application & USC Supplement by February 1^st.   To help you complete your application I’ve summarized your questions and given you our answers!

I submitted the Common Application & USC Supplement but my transcripts won’t get to USC until after February 1^st.  Is this ok?

Yes!  To meet the application deadline you simply need to submit the Common Application & USC Supplement by the February 1^st.  Supporting documents, such as official transcripts, can be submitted after the application deadline.

That said USC cannot review your application until it’s complete so please get us all supporting documents as soon as possible.

Is it one paragraph for both Engineering Short Answers – or two?  Plus, why is there so much space?  Am I supposed to fill that space… its like 2.5 pages

As you can see, these questions are aiming to get to know you a bit better and hopefully learn a little about your personality.  Please answer with one paragraph (a few sentences) per question.  No need to fill the space, we just wanted to make sure you had enough room!

I submitted my application  and did not list Engineering as my first choice major… But I really am considering engineering – can I change it?

YES – we just need an email stating what you listed as your first choice major, and what you would like it changed to.  Please be sure to include your full name and USCID.

Do I need to submit the school forms listed in the Common Application?

No. Isn’t that a relief? Less paperwork to worry about! You can check out my recent post about school forms here.

Do I need to complete the “academics” section in the Common Application?

No. Please see my past post about the academics section.

Are transfer applicants required to submit a letter of recommendation?

No. 

But I really, really want to send in a letter of recommendation. Can I send one in anyway?

Sure.  Again, letters of recommendation are not required.  If you’re one of the applicants that “really, really” wants to submit a letter check out this post.

What documents must I submit to complete my application to USC?

After submitting the Common App and USC Supplement you need to complete your application to USC by submitting the documents listed in our transfer application checklist.

Where should I send my transcripts?

If you are mailing your official transcripts please send them to:

Do I have to send my official transcripts to the USC Office of Admission and to the USC Viterbi School Office of Admission?

No.  When you send documents to USC they are uploaded into your file – and all admission offices can view your file/the documents you sent to USC. No need to send duplicates.

I really hope this helps clarify the application process! Good luck wrapping up your application!

The other sections:  “Secondary School Grades”, “ACT Tests”, “SAT Reasoning Tests” and “AB/IB/SAT Subject Test” sections are optional.

International Transfer Applicants: please fill out the TOEFL section and indicate your TOEFL score – or when you plan to take it.

Don’t forget to check out the transfer  application checklist .

You can mail follow-up application materials, such as a letter of recommendation,  and all other types of correspondence to:

Application Checklist

1. Apply online using the Common Application and the USC Supplemental Application (www.commonapp.org)
2. Submit these items¹:

• Official high school transcript.
• Official college transcript(s) from all colleges attended since high school.

Make sure your college transcript includes your fall 2011 grades (and winter grades, if applicable).

You should mail your  transcript(s) to:

• Financial statement (for international students only).
• TOEFL (for international students only)²

Our office is open this week so feel free to give us a call with your questions.

February 1, 2012

• The application deadline for transfer students to submit the Common Application & USC Supplement
• When you submit your application by February 1st you’ll be considered for admission and automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.

By the End of March

• We encourage you to complete the financial aid process by the end of March 2012.
• Learn more about the financial aid process here.

Transfer applicants are not required to submit the school forms listed in the common app

USC does not require transfer students to submit any of the school forms  listed in the Common Application -  the College Official’s Report, Instructor Evaluation, School Report or the Mid-Term Report forms.

I hope that helps clarify the process for you!