All required materials (that go the Thornton OR USC) must be received by December 1, 2009. Please note that this is NOT a postmark deadline.

NOTE: USC undergraduates interested in a music minor must follow a different application process. Click here for more information.

Step One: Apply to USC

• Complete the USC Undergraduate Application or the USC Graduate Application, and the USC Thornton School of Music Supplemental Form at the end.
• You will also upload your Statement of Objectives, Résumé, Repertoire List, and Letters of Recommendation through this application.

Please Note- The Thornton section of the USC Graduate online application will be available in mid-October. In the meantime, applicants are welcome to complete and SAVE (not submit) the USC section of the online application and wait until after mid-October to complete the Thornton Section and submit their application.

Step Two: Submit prescreen recordings, compositions, or lyric sheets (as appropriate) directly to the Thornton School of Music

• All required materials must be received by December 1, 2009. Please note that this is NOT a postmark deadline.
• Determine the specific Application Requirements for your chosen program.
• IMPORTANT MAILING INSTRUCTIONS- Send all required music-specific materials such as prescreening recordings (if applicable), Compositions, or Typed Lyric Sheets in one package directly to the Thornton Admission Office. Be sure that the contents of the package are clearly marked with your first and last name and date of birth to ensure the materials get matched up to the appropriate application. Please address the envelope as follows:

______________ Admission Review *
USC Thornton School of Music
Office of Admission
927 West 35th Street - PIC 212
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0021

• If you are sending a recording (prescreen or otherwise) to us, please label the body of the CD/DVD with the following information:
• First and Last Name
• Date of Birth
• USC ID#
• Program to which you are applying (i.e. BM Music Industry: Oboe)
• Year you are applying for (i.e. Fall 2010)
• Anticipated Class standing (Freshman, Transfer, or Grad)

* To ensure proper and timely processing of your application materials, please write the name of the program (Degree and Major) for which you are applying in the blank space of the address block above. If you are applying to a program which requires an audition, be sure to indicate the instrument and whether it is jazz or classical.

If you are applying for multiple programs, the required materials for each program must be clearly marked as to which program is item is for. This applies to all required materials, including pre-screen recordings for performance programs and scores for the composition.

If these mailing instructions are not followed properly, it cannot be guaranteed that your application materials will be received by the appropriate faculty in time for review.

Step 3: Submit official transcripts and test scores to USC Admission

For materials that are to be sent to USC Admission please see the Application Requirements page and select your program to see specific instructions

Step 4: Perform an audition (if required) according to the specific audition requirements for your chosen program.

• If you pass your department’s prescreen round, you will automatically be scheduled for one of the audition dates you selected in the Thornton Supplemental Form attached to the USC Application. You will be notified of your prescreen results/audition date and time by email. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL PLANS OR PURCHASE TICKETS UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR AUDITION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.

Transfer students: visit our Transferring to Thornton section for important information about transferring.

International students: visit our International Student Admission section for important information about applying as an international student.

QUESTIONS?

Feel free to contact us at uscmusic@usc.edu or (213) 740-8986 or (800) 872-2213.