Unlike the undergraduate college application process, there is no common application for graduate study (except for professional programs like Law, Medical, Dental, and various Allied Health programs).  Candidates apply to each graduate program of interest via an online program/school application. 

No two graduate programs and graduate schools are exactly the same!  As such, each program will have unique application requirements. Please ensure you fully understand what each program is requiring and follow their directions exactly as requested. If you have questions about their requirements, please contact each program or school’s admissions team for clarification.

Please use the following resources as general guidelines while tailoring toward the specific requirements each school/program is looking for.

Entrance exam testing

Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement

Letters of recommendation

Transcripts

Resume/curriculum vitae (CV)

Addenda

Interviews

Many schools do not require interviews. If they say they are optional, treat as required and start stretching your interview muscles just in case! Some schools interview for scholarships or if they want to further evaluate you as a candidate. Practice interviews using a tool such as Big Interview (complimentary to USC students and alumni). Log-in and look for the “Practice” tab on the top of the page. Enjoy!

Application fees

Application fees vary by school.  Expect to pay anywhere from $70 – $140 per application fee.  Some schools will offer application fee waivers- review their admissions page for potential fee waiver opportunities.

Student standing letter requests

Certain graduate schools ask for a letter from the Dean’s office regarding your standing as a student.  Please email the Vice President of Student Life office with the grad school’s request for a Dean’s letter attached.

Make sure the graduate school’s directions on how/where to send the letter are included. Please use the following for your subject line: Dean’s letter request for [insert your name].

The process to send the letter to the graduate school should take less than five business days.