FAQs - USC Undergraduate Admission

When I check my online application status, I receive a message that reads, "Sorry, we currently do not have an application status for you." I already applied online, so what's wrong?

Online applications typically take a few weeks to process. In the meantime, you may login using your user ID and password and the system will verify if the application was actually "submitted." When we finish processing your online application, you will receive a confirmation letter. That letter will also list any items that may be missing from your file.

If I apply online, how do I complete the essay and resumé? How do I provide the other required documents?

The essay and resumé must be completed online, but you do have the option to print them for your records. Though the essay and resume section of the application allows you to paste text from a word processor, you may lose some or all of your formatting. This is acceptable if the information remains clear and readable. If pasting the essay and/or resume makes either of them hard to read, you should type them directly into the Common Application in the space provided.

Other required documents, such as the High School/College Transcript Request and the School Report, can be downloaded and then printed so that you can mail them later.

If I submitted the Part I application online, do I have to submit the Part II online as well?

No. Students who submitted Part I online may file a paper Part II application (and vice-versa).

I have completed the Common Application checklist, but I am receiving no further instructions. What do I need to do next?

Below the application checklist you should see a "submit" button which will allow you to input your credit card information. If you don’t see it, your browser may not be compatible with our server. We suggest accessing your application through another computer using Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator (versions 4.0 or higher).

The department to which I am applying needs a copy of my application. How can I send them a copy of my Common Application?

You can print your completed Common Application page by page before submitting. If you have already submitted the online application you may create a new profile and application and print it page by page and then cancel the program instead of submitting the new online application.

Can I complete the online application over a number of sittings, or must I complete it all at once?

The online application will not be submitted into our database until the "submit" option is used. Therefore, you may leave and come back to make changes to it as many times as you wish, provided you do not submit the application.

I am using the online application and am having trouble listing two grades in the academic history section. The system says to enter two grades as 'A/A', but this doesn’t work.

Take out the ‘/’ (i.e., 'AA' instead of ‘A/A’). The system will accept this format.

When I try to use the online application, I am unable to get past the "Start Here" screen. What should I do?

Your browser may not be compatible with our server. We recommend attempting to access the application using Internet Explorer (versions 6.0 or higher), Firefox 3.5 Safari 4.0 for Macintosh using Internet Explorer.

For the online application to work, cookies must be enabled on your browser. Please see the Help menu of the browser you are using for detailed instructions on enabling cookies.

When attempting to access the online application, I receive a message that reads, "This program does not support the protocol for accessing." What should I do?

Your browser may not be compatible with our server. We recommend attempting to access the application using Internet Explorer (versions 6.0 or higher), Firefox 3.5 Safari 4.0 for Macintosh.

When I attempt to input my credit card information, I receive an error message that reads "The number must be at least (9) digits." What does this mean? How can I fix this?

Your credit card number must be input without any spaces.