Graduate Admission

Introduction & Deadlines

Introduction

Getting Started

With close to 100 faculty members and 250 graduate students, the School is committed to shaping student experiences so that not only will you perform well in the profession, but will also lead the discipline in new directions, sensing, responding to and helping to cause positive change in society. Your experience in the program will be a continuous act of discovery: of observing, recording, interpreting, and finally, inventing proposals for the built environment which are in response to ideas and critical intentions.

Please review the admissions requirements on this site. If you have further questions please Contact Us.

Deadlines

The USC online applications are available beginning September 1, 2012: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/apply/index.html

Applications submitted before or on the deadline dates listed below will receive priority consideration for admission and School of Architecture merit scholarships. Applications submitted after the deadline date will still be accepted but scholarship funds may be limited.

Degree Program	Post Code	Application Deadline	Portfolio or Writing Sample
Master of Architecture, First Professional Degree (M.ARCH +2)	1049	December 14, 2012	January 7, 2013
Master of Architecture, Post-Professional Degree (M.ARCH PP)	860	December 14, 2012	January 7, 2013
Master of Building Science (MBS)	861	January 7, 2013	January 7, 2013 (optional)
Master of Heritage Conservation (MHC)	1461	December 14, 2012	December 14, 2012
Master of Landscape Architecture, First Professional & Post-Professional Degrees (MLA +3, MLA +2, & MLA PP)	859	December 14, 2012	January 7, 2013
Degree Program	Post Code	Application Deadline	Portfolio or Writing Sample
Ph.D. in Architecture	1347	Currently not accepting applications	Currently not accepting applications
Degree Program	Post Code	Application Deadline	Portfolio or Writing Sample
Certificate in Architecture	1467	December 14, 2012	Not required
Certificate in Building Science	840	December 14, 2012	Not required
Certificate in Heritage Conservation	1462	December 14, 2012	December 14, 2012
Certificate in Landscape Architecture	1319	December 14, 2012	Not required

Please ensure that information and materials that cannot be uploaded onto the Online Application (e.g. Portfolio) are sent directly to the School of Architecture via postal mail, FedEx or DHL. Do not send portfolios to the University's Office of Admission.

USC School of Architecture
Graduate Admission
Watt Hall 204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291

Application Instructions

Instructions

Applying for Graduate Admission to the USC School of Architecture is a two-part process.

Please use this GRADUATE APPLICATION CHECKLIST PDF to help you keep track of the application process.

PART ONE

The following documents must be submitted to the University’s Graduate Admission Office, using the online application system.

The USC application for admission
You will receive a 10-digit USC ID within 7 days of submitting the online application. The 10-digit USC ID number should be included with any materials submitted by mail and on all correspondence with USC.
Application fee: the application fee must be paid before an application is processed. Please note that fee waivers are not granted for international applicants.
Transcript (academic record) from all colleges and universities attended. These records must be stamped and sealed by the institution. International students: All transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas must be written in the original language of instruction. All original-language documents must be accompanied by a separate, word-for-word English translation. Dual-language transcripts are not acceptable.
Please send the official hard copies by postal mail after submitting your online application to the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Please be sure to include your USC ID on any documents that you send.

*In addition to official hard copies of the transcript, please upload unofficial copies of each transcript directly onto the USC online application for admission.
Three letters of recommendation: The School of Architecture does not have a separate form for the recommenders to fill out but there is an optional form found on the USC online application for admission. Recommenders may submit their letter online or directly to the School of Architecture by paper.
Statement of Intent: Please clearly describe your study intentions and interests. Please upload this information directly into the USC online application for admission.
Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae: Please upload this information directly into the USC online application for admission.
GRE test scores: (Copy of scores submitted online and electronic submission by ETS). Test scores more than five years old at the time of application are not acceptable. Institution code: 4852. Departmental Code: 4401. The GRE is not required of applicants to the certificate programs.

International applicants only

TOEFL scores (Copy of scores submitted online and electronic submission by ETS). You must have taken the TOEFL within the last two years. Institution code: 4852. Departmental Code: 12. USC does not accept scores from the IELTS.
Confidential Statement for Financing Studies at USC: You can find detailed information on how to submit this information on the Graduate Admissions website: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/international/financialsupport.html

For more information about Part One, please click here.

PART TWO

The following items below must be sent directly to the School of Architecture via postal mail, FedEx or DHL:

USC School of Architecture
Graduate Admissions
Watt Hall 204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291

Portfolio or Writing Sample
International applicants only: Copy of your Passport

Please DO NOT send any Part Two materials to 3601 South Flower Street, Room 112, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911 as we are unable to receive materials sent to this address directly. All Part Two materials should be directed to the USC School of Architecture at Watt Hall 204. Both FedEx and DHL will be received at this address.

International Students should note:

The School of Architecture strongly recommends applicant TOEFL scores to be a total score of 100 or above on the Internet-based test, with no less than 20 on each of the four test components.
International Students who are granted admissions and have not met the above TOEFL requirement will be required to take the International Student English Examination (ISE) upon arrival at USC. This is a free placement examination that determines the English proficiency of international students. Your level of achievement on the ISE will determine whether you must enroll in English-language courses at the university’s American Language Institute (ALI) before or during your first semester at USC. The number of required courses will be based on your level of English-language proficiency. Please be aware that English-language study will increase the overall cost of your degree program (and usually the length of time to complete the degree requirements), because courses at ALI are billed at the regular tuition rate. The School of Architecture does not cover of cost of English-language courses.
You can find more information on the English proficiency requirement here.

Portfolio Requirements

Requirements

Portfolio and Writing Sample Submission Instructions

Content

Applicants to the Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture programs must submit a portfolio.
The design portfolio is a compilation of one’s own work, which demonstrates past creative and graphic ability. It should include drawings and photographs of models from past architecture or design studios, professional work, or any other artistic/creative activity.
Applicants to the Master of Building Science program may submit an optional portfolio consisting of papers, projects, computer programs, Web sites or other materials, which demonstrate technical competence, research skills, or appropriate knowledge or talents.
Applicants to the Master of Heritage Conservation program must submit a writing sample (essay, article, published work, or nomination). Additional portfolio materials are not required, but will be reviewed if submitted.
A writing sample is required of applicants to the Certificate in Heritage Conservation program.

Portfolios are not required for the following certificate programs. If a portfolio is submitted, it will be reviewed.
Certificate in Architecture
Certificate in Building Science
Certificate in Landscape Architecture

Portfolio Cover Page: To expedite the matching of your portfolio to your online USC application, please include the portfolio cover page and fill it out completely. Download it here.

Format

All work must be submitted in a printed and bound format and not exceed 8.5 x 11 inches (22 x 28 cm) or be more than 0.5 inch (2 cm) thick. All work submitted should be reproductions of the original work. Do not submit originals, slides, loose sheets or oversized binders.
If you do not include the School of Architecture portfolio cover page in the bounded format, label the front cover of the portfolio as follows: Last (Family) Name, First (Given) Name, USC ID number, Postal Address, Email Address, Date of Birth, Intended Program of Study.
Include a table of contents listing the work being submitted. Each project should be labeled indicating when and where the work was produced, such as semester and year, studio level, project duration, where the project was built, etc.
The selection committee will be reviewing your portfolio for the quality of work, not the quantity. It will be very important to present your work in a clear and coherent manner. Please be selective and limit the design portfolio to a maximum of 10 projects, showing your best and indicative work.

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