University of Southern California

Admission

» Application Materials
» Personal Interview
» Admission Application Deadline
» Application Submission
» Financial Support
» Request a Brochure

Application Materials

The following items are required in order to complete the applications process.

  • A USC Graduate Application http://www.usc.edu/dept/admission/grad.
  • Application fee of $85
  • An official transcript from all colleges and universities attended, including graduate work
  • An official copy of scores from a nationally-administered standardized graduate entry exam. There is no preference among either exam listed below. Scores must be no older than five years.
    • Graduate Management Admission Test
      • USC Institution Code: 389-CL-61
    • Graduate Record Exam
      • USC Institution Code: 4852
    • Law School Admission Test
      • LSAT will only send official score reports to law schools. To submit your LSAT score to the MRED program, please send us a copy of the official score report sent to you by LSAT
    • A current resume (submitted via online application Supporting Documents upload)
      • MRED applicants are required to have a minimum of two years full-time work experience following completion of the bachelors degree. Experience must be in real estate or a closely related field. Students who have worked directly with real estate assets – such as development, construction, architecture, city planning, commercial real estate finance, commercial real estate brokerage, or real estate law – are best prepared for the MRED program.
    • A minimum of three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference. If an academic referral is not available, a third professional reference is acceptable.
    • A statement of purpose (submitted via online application Supporting Documents upload). Statements should be approximately 1,000 words and double-spaced with at least a 10-point font. It is expected that applicants author their own personal statements. Address the following questions:
      • Your interest in the real estate profession and the USC MRED program
      • Your academic and professional preparation
      • Any entrepreneurial endeavors you have undertaken
      • Your career goals
      • The training and experience you have received to satisfy the MRED prerequisite requirements.

    International students must also submit the following documents:

    • TOEFL scores
      • USC institution code: 4852
    • Official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in your native language and an exact translation into English of each document
    • A Financial Guarantee Statement showing proof of the ability to pay tuition and living expenses

    Personal Interview

    Personal interviews add a valuable dimension to the admissions process. The MRED Admissions Committee believes that significant insight is gained by speaking directing with candidates to learn more about their interest in the program and in the real estate profession. The interview also provides the opportunity to amplify aspects of the applicant's academic and professional experiences and to ask any questions about the MRED program.

    Interviews are by invitation only and will be issued once the applicant's completed admission file has undergone a preliminary review. A personal interview is required of all students admitted into the MRED program, though not all applicants will be interviewed. An interview does not guarantee admission.

    Interviews typically last 30 to 45 minutes and will be conducted by an MRED alumnus or MRED program directors. Where possible, interviews will be held in person. Telephone interviews can also be arranged.

    Once an applicant has submitted a complete application package, they will be contacted to schedule an interview. In order to facilitate the interview process, applicants are encouraged to submit all admission materials well in advance of the application deadline.

    Admission Application Deadline

    February 1. Applications are only accepted for summer semester entry. In order to facilitate the Personal Interview process, applicants are encouraged to submit admissions materials well in advance of the deadline. Interviews will be scheduled once a complete application package has been received.

    Application Submission

    How to Apply

    Online: SPPD strongly recommends that candidates apply online through USC's graduate online application system at http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate. The online system allows you to electronically submit the entire application including SPPD supporting documents--except for official transcripts and a copy of test scores, should be sent directly to SPPD at the mailing address below.

    By Mail: If you are unable to complete an online application, please contact SPPD at (213) 740-0550 or sppd@usc.edu to request a paper application.

    Graduate Recruitment and Admission
    University of Southern California
    School of Policy, Planning, and Development
    Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall (RGL) 111
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626

    Tel: (213) 740-0550
    Fax: (213) 740-7573
    email: sppd@usc.edu

    Financial Support

    The MRED program offers a limited number of scholarships each year to full-time MRED students. The scholarships provide partial tuition credit awards in the amount of $5,000 to 16 units of tuition credit. Scholarship awards are made as part of the admissions process. Applicants wishing to be considered for awards must complete their admission file by February 1 and submit a SPPD Scholarship Form through the SPPD Supplemental Application Form online.

    USC also participates in several federal loan programs. Graduate students demonstrating high financial need are considered for the Carl Perkins Loans and Stafford Student Loans - two low-interest loan programs - as well as for College Work Study grants. Students who do not qualify for these programs or continue to have unmet needs are encouraged to apply for Supplemental Loans for Students.

    General USC Financial Aid Information