How hard is USC to get into?

The USC admission process is extremely competitive. Over 70,000 students applied last year, bringing the USC acceptance rate down to 12%. Over 25% of students admitted to the USC Class of 2025 had perfect grades in high school.

What GPA do you need to get into USC?

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1520 SAT or a 34 ACT. You should also have a 3.83 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

Is UCLA or USC harder to get into?

In terms of selectivity, the schools rank fairly equally—UCLA has an 8.8 percent acceptance rate (getting more competitive every year) and USC's acceptance rate is 10 percent.

Can an average student get into USC?

The recommended GPA requirements to get into USC are between 3.75 and 4.0. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating in the top quarter of your class in order to get into USC. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests.

Is USC very competitive?

As you might imagine, the admissions process at USC is highly competitive. The university received more than 69,000 applications for the class of 2026 and admitted just over 8,300 students.

How I got into USC, NYU, and BU (stats, extracurriculars, and decision reaction)

Is USC like an Ivy League?

While the University of Southern California is not an Ivy League school, it is an excellent option for high-achieving students who may find USC a better fit. The quality of USC's academic programs, cutting-edge research opportunities, and resources are comparable to Ivy League schools.

Why is USC so prestigious?

USC boasts over 150 majors, and students can pursue a range of double majors and unique minors. USC, for example, is well-known for the School of Cinematic Arts, a prestigious school known for birthing talented alumni like Judd Apatow or Macy Gray.

Is getting into USC a big deal?

As you reflect on how to get into USC, it is important to ask yourself whether USC is the right place for you. Yes, the USC acceptance rate is extremely competitive, and students who attend USC will benefit from the 9:1 student-faculty ratio and access to the city of Los Angeles.

Is USC a Tier 1 school?

Over the past couple of decades, USC has willed itself into the top tier. The average ACT score of incoming first years is 32.

Is USC too expensive?

USC holds a reputation as an expensive school of pervasive wealth. It is the sixth most expensive college in the United States, ranking first in the same category among California colleges. Ivy League universities, which compete with USC to attract the nation's top applicants, also feature in that top 20.

Is USC an elite school?

Academic Reputation

Both Stanford and USC are elite, prestigious institutions, but they diverge when considering overall academic reputation. Stanford is a highly competitive institution and has an acceptance rate that dropped below 4% in 2023.

Is USC hard academically?

Depends on what you're studying. Pre-med classes are very rigorous and meant to weed people out by design. Engineering courses are challenging but there's a lot of group projects and peer support. Most people at USC make education their life/priority for the time they're enrolled.

Is Stanford better than USC?

At a national and international level Stanford is considered the superior university.

Does USC look at senior grades?

How do I submit them? We find that an applicant's senior mid-year grades can help us make better admission decisions. These grades can show how applicants handle some of the most challenging courses of their high school career, and they can further illustrate emerging trends in overall performance.

How much is tuition at USC?

Students will pay $66,640 in undergraduate tuition for the upcoming academic year.

What is the hardest UC to get into?

UCLA generally experiences the highest number of applicants, making it one of the most popular UC schools. In 2022, UCLA received 139,489 applicants. It's also the most selective, with a 9% acceptance rate. Close runners-up include UC Berkeley, UCSD, and UCI.

Does USC accept A levels?

Students are admitted with predicted A-Level results and will be asked to verify their final results once they are released. Competitive applicants will have predicted results of a B or above for at least three A-Level/Pre-U exams. There are no subject requirements for entry into USC.

What is USC famous for?

USC is famous for its football program and tremendous school spirit, tight-knit alumni network, world class educational and lab facilities, and top-ranked Cinematic Arts college.

Why not to choose USC?

Price - This is a HUGE factor. Without receiving any sort of financial aid or scholarship, USC is not very affordable for most students and families. USC's cost of attendance is upward of ~$80,000 per year, which is almost three times the cost of attendance for a UC school. USC has too many fees on top of tuition.

Is USC a stressful school?

As is the case at many high-ranking universities, students at USC feel pressure to maintain top grades. In fact, in 2010, USC was ranked the 18th most stressful college in the country by the Daily Beast. It's safe to say that as the school's acceptance rate has since gone down, the stress rate may well have gone up.

What kind of student does USC look for?

Incoming first-year students demonstrate superior academic performance — and the potential to do more. Most admitted students are ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, and their median standardized test score, if submitted, is in the top 5 percent.

Why does everyone want to go to USC?

USC is known for its prestigious academic programs, sunny location, strong athletics programs, famous alumni, and more. In this post, we'll take a closer look at what USC is known for and why it's a university worth considering. Click above to watch a video on what USC is known for.

Why is everyone going to USC?

The main factors that went into why I chose USC, and why I continue to love USC, are opportunities available at the school, potential to study abroad, location of school, flexibility of classes, and career opportunities.

Should I go to UCLA or USC?

USC is private, while UCLA is public. UCLA is significantly more affordable for in-state students than USC. USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles, while UCLA is closer to wealthy L.A. neighborhoods. Some students feel that UCLA's campus is safer, but USC does have a 24-hour security patrol.