PhD Admissions FAQ

Visit the USC Office of Graduate Admission website: https://gradadm.usc.edu/. Answers to most, if not all, of your questions can be found there. 

Here are two useful checklists:

• Checklist for U.S. Students
• Checklist for International Students

English-language proficiency requirements are stated throughout the USC Office of Graduate Admission website:

• English Proficiency
• FAQ
• Video – English Proficiency Requirements

English-language proficiency requirements are not waived based on graduate degrees earned in the U.S. or other qualifying countries.

USC's English-language proficiency requirements are stated throughout the Office of Graduate Admission website:

• English Proficiency
• FAQ
• Video – English Proficiency Requirements

The institution code is 4852. This is the only code that should be used.

• Dometic applicants: see Step 6 
• Int'l applicants: see Step 7 and Step 8

Please upload all of your materials into the USC online application system. Tests scores must be sent electronically. Only scores received electronically from the testing service are considered official. USC does not accept self-reported test scores nor paper scores sent via postal mail. USC’s ETS school code is 4852. Please see transcript information on the USC Graduate Admission website: 

• Transcripts Requirements
• FAQ
• Video – Academic History
• Country Requirements

Per USC requirements, upload scanned copies of your official, up-to-date transcripts. The Department's admissions team will review those uploaded transcripts for an admission decision.
Sealed, official transcripts must also be mailed to USC or to the International Education Research Foundation (IERF). Click the hyperlinks listed above to understand the requirements that specifically apply to you.

Do not send materials to the Department.

Yes. Please upload all of your materials onto the USC online application system.

See important transcript information on the USC Graduate Admission website:

• FAQ
• Video – Academic History
• Country Requirements

Per USC requirements, simply upload scanned copies of your official, up-to-date transcripts. The Department's admissions team will review the uploaded transcripts.

You’re welcome to mail in your original, sealed transcript now or later (if admitted). Mailing in transcripts now can speed up the application and (potential) admission process.

The Department can review scans of your original transcripts and make a conditional decision based on such documents. However, USC does, at some point, require submission of original, sealed transcripts.

Although the admissions process is rather competitive, all admitted students would receive full funding for tuition plus living expenses. As a PhD applicant, you do not have to worry about showing proof of finances. Although, you should upload a copy of your passport. Note that PhD students with the Department of Economics are fully funded for at least 5 years.

Within this FAQ page, see the Financial Documents for Visa section. You will be guided to these two informative webpages:

• Financial Documentation
• USC Guidelines for Submitting Financial Support: "USC scholarships/assistantships – this documentation will be submitted by your academic department directly to the Office of Graduate International Admissions"
  

USC offers several options for graduate application fee waivers.

U.S. Applicants

Visit the Office of Graduate Admissions | Fee Waivers page for more information.

International Applicants

The University is aware that some countries are experiencing extreme circumstances caused by armed conflict, social unrest, or natural disasters. As a result, some prospective applicants from these countries may experience difficulties or delays in providing required documents such as transcripts or test scores, or with paying the application fee. The USC Department of Economics will also consider application fee waivers from citizens of "low-income and lower-middle-income countries,” as classified by the World Bank. Prospective students of the USC PhD in Economics program who anticipate such difficulties should complete the USC PhD in Economics Program: Graduate Admission Fee Waiver & Reimbursement Requests form. This request form is for international applicants only. Domestic applicants should refer to the Office of Graduate Admission for fee waivers. Requests are subject to further review. Decisions will be made at the discretion of the department.

All documents must be processed through USC’s Office of Graduate Admission. You can email a scanned copy of your official transcript to the Office of Graduate Admission via http://ask.usc.edu/app/ask:

• Select an Area: Graduate Admission
• Category: Transcripts

Try to (a) resend the request and/or (b) contact the technical support team. See the directions listed within this FAQ page – click "Letters of Recommendation".

All documents must go through USC’s Office of Graduate Admission. If options a and b are not successful, please ask your evaluator to email a copy of your official LoR to the office of Graduate Admission via http://ask.usc.edu/app/ask:

• Select an Area: Graduate Admission
• Category: Recommendation Letters

In the Question section, your evaluator will need to briefly explain the situation and ask that, following submission of their LoR, your file be marked as “Complete”.

See the Office of Graduate Admission website for important information regarding Academic Requirements and Admissions Policies. USC and the Department of Economics do not recognize three-year bachelor’s degrees from India, Australia, New Zealand, or South America as sufficient for admission to graduate programs. Please visit this country guidelines page to search for academic requirements by individual country.

Computational and applied mathematics, advanced calculus, as well as real and complex analysis are the types of courses that help prepare students for the rigors of the PhD in Economics program.

The PhD in Economics program is a STEM-designated program, which allows international students on F-1 visas to apply for a 24-month extension of their optional practical training (OPT).

Ms. Annie Le | econ_gradadm@usc.edu