1. University of Southern California
Applying to Graduate Engineering Programs
December 2015

2. Applying to USCViterbi
• Eligibility for Admission
• Tuition & Funding
• Application Materials & Deadlines
• Transcripts and GPA
• Test Scores: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS
• Application Tips

3. Eligibility
• USC Admissions does a comprehensive review of applications
• Everything you submit is reviewed to understand your capability to successfully
complete graduate coursework
• Academic performance in your area of study, combined with any other experience
that demonstrates your abilities in your chosen field, is taken into consideration
• To be competitive, you should be able to show strong performance in your
undergraduate career
• As such, we do not have “minimums” or “cutoffs” with the goal to consider talented
applicants of all backgrounds

4. Eligibility - continued
• Work experience – while related work experience is taken under consideration with
all other submitted materials, it does not compensate for any lacks in your academic
background (undergraduate coursework, GRE scores)
• Submitted documents can be: abstracts of papers, awards, CV/Resume
• You may apply for up to 3 programs at the Viterbi School for a one-time application
fee of $85 – Please see https://gapp.usc.edu/faq/application for more information
• PhD Applicants should also submit an application for the Master’s program if
you would like to be considered for both programs

5. Tuition & Funding
• Tuition costs for two years can be found at this website:
https://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/graduate-funding/masters/tuition
• Scholarship Opportunities for MS
• Be sure to submit your USC online application for admission and the transcripts by
the December 15 deadline
• All other required materials (i.e. GRE scores) must be received by January 15, 2016
• Funding consideration will be given to all those who followed these steps by the
appropriate deadlines and who are admitted
• Notifications of awards are February - May
• PhD Funding – apply by December 15, 2015
• Admission deadline is the same as funding deadline
• USC strives to fully fund all admitted PhD students

6. Application Materials
• Application materials vary by program – be sure to check this website for the
documents required: viterbi.usc.edu/gapp
• Letters of Recommendation
• MS and PhD: should primarily come from academic sources but 1 professional
source is OK
• Statement of Purpose
• For MS: can be utilized to explain any miscellaneous items you’d like the
admissions committee to know about you
• For PhD: critical to outline your research interests, the professors you want to
work with, and demonstrate your familiarity with the work being done at USC

7. Master’s Application
• BS Degree in engineering, math, science
• Online Application
• GRE – less than 5 years old
• Official Transcripts
• TOEFL/IELTS
• Supplemental Materials – SOP, LORs, resume
Fall 2016 Application Deadline: January 15*
*Fall scholarship deadline – December 15

8. PhD Application
• BS Degree in engineering, math, science
• Online Application
• GRE – less than 5 years old
• Transcripts
• TOEFL/IELTS
• Letters of Recommendation and SOP
• Demonstrated research ability and experience
Fall 2016 Application Deadline: December 15

9. Application Deadlines
• Deadline for merit-based scholarship consideration is December 15, 2015
• Materials required by this date: USC online application for admission and
transcripts
• All other materials are required to be submitted by January 15, 2016 in order to
be considered for admission for Fall 2016
https://gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/masters/how-to-apply/deadlines

10. Transcripts and GPA
• Submit sealed transcripts by December 15 to be considered for funding
• Be sure to allow sufficient time for transit and if possible, use a trackable method of
shipping
• If you have an electronic copy you may also submit it to viterbi.documents@usc.edu
but you must also submit the sealed official hard copies to USC

11. ApplicationTips - GPA
Provide your GPA in the
grading/point system that is
used by your institution. It’s not
necessary to try to convert to 4
point scale if your institution
uses a different scale.

12. Test Scores: GRE and TOEFL
• General GRE required for ALL programs
• You can retake GRE exam and USC takes the highest scores in each section
• If you retake the exam after the application deadline you should inform the
admissions office. They may be able to hold your application for review until
the new GRE scores arrive.
• The average quantitative score of our applicants is 163, verbal 151 (fall 2015)
• When should test scores be submitted?
• When you take the exam you should select the institutions to which you want
the scores directly sent
• If you already took the exam and didn’t already do so, arrange to have the
scores sent as soon as possible.

13. TOEFL1) You hold a Bachelor’s degree completed in residency in United States or other Anglophone country.
The Bachelor’s degree should come from a regionally accredited university located in the United States or
officially recognized university in another country where English is both the language of instruction and the
only officially recognized language of the country. Please note that the entire program must have been
completed in the qualifying country.
We do not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on either a graduate degree from a university in
the U.S. or other qualifying country or an undergraduate program taught in English in a non-Anglophone
country.
2) Your native language is English.
This applies to native English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and
Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the only official language of the country and the language of
instruction.
The criteria listed above are the only means by which international applicants can demonstrate English
proficiency. USC does not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on any other consideration (work
experience, ESL enrollment, etc.).
https://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/international/englishproficiency.html

14. ApplicationTips –Test Scores
Ensure that your official
score reports are sent directly
to USC and that you take the
exams early enough for us to
receive the scores by January 15.
If you do not yet have your scores,
you can leave this section blank on
the USC online application and we
will refer to your official score
reports. Do not let this section
delay your submission of the
application.

15. Application Tips
• APPLY ON TIME – Submit the online application for admission and you should receive
your ten digit USC ID number within the week
• Check our Frequently Asked Questions: many of your questions can be answered
https://gapp.usc.edu/how-to-apply/faq
• Include 10-digit USC ID on transcript package and in email communications
• If you have any issues after submitting your application, you may contact
viterbi.gradadmission@usc.edu.

16. Assistant Dean
Graduate & Professional Programs
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
viterbi.gradprograms@usc.edu
Camillia Lee