USC: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to USC, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown USC statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at USC

What GPA do you need to get into USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences?

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s average GPA is 3.15. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences does require GPA. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is currently selective. However, be aware that oftentimes schools in this GPA range are increasing their selectivity in hope of increasing “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of USC application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.15 to 3.31 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.31 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on USC’s campus. These USC admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s acceptance rate?

Last year USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s acceptance rate was N/A. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is just as competitive as it was last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into USC - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Require Test Scores?

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SAT Requirements

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s average SAT score is - - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is getting more or less competitive.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s average SAT score is -. To be a competitive applicant for USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the -, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of -.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences ACT Requirements

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences’s average ACT score is -. To be a competitive applicant for USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the -, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of -.

How hard is it to get into USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences?

As you can see from the data above, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is moderately competitive. Not only should you be aiming for a 3.15 but also SAT scores around -.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into USC

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into USC. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at USC, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with USC admission standards.

1. Score at least a - on the SAT or - on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.15.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with USC’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Los Angeles has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Los Angeles area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. USC needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your USC app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that USC’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.