Music Industry

The application fee for the USC Graduate application is $105. Application fee waivers are available to qualified applicants, and must be requested before submitting the USC Graduate Application. If you plan to apply for a waiver of the USC Graduate Application fee, please do so at least two weeks before the application deadline. The deadline will not be extended for applicants who fail to request a fee waiver in time. Details and instructions can be found here.

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

When completing the USC Graduate application, it is important to pay special attention to the following items that you will find in the “program materials” section of the application:

• Thornton SlideRoom portal – A link to access the Thornton SlideRoom portal will be provided in this section.
• The Documents tab – Documents submitted in this section will not be accessible to the Thornton faculty. Thornton faculty will only be able to review documents submitted via the Thornton SlideRoom portal. In order to complete this section, you must check the box indicating that you do not wish to upload documents in this section.
• The Questions tab – Enter your SlideRoom Confirmation number where indicated (you will receive your SlideRoom confirmation number upon submission of the SlideRoom form).

It is not necessary to complete the “Supporting Information” section in the USC Graduate Application. We prefer that you upload the supplemental online portfolio, as defined above via SlideRoom instead. You will still need to upload your résumé where indicated, click through the “Supporting Information” section, and “opt-out” of submitting information there.

In addition to the application materials required of all applicants, international applicants must submit a statement of financial support, and certified translations of any documents (transcripts, diplomas, financial documents) not issued in English.

TOEFL or IELTS scores are required from International applicants for whom English is a second language. Please include your scores on the application form where indicated, and be sure that an official score report is sent to USC’s Graduate Admission office by the application deadline. Minimum test score requirements and other relevant information can be found in the link below.

Click here for important additional requirements and instructions for all International Applicants.

A link to the SlideRoom portal is located inside the USC Application for Graduate Admission, in the “Program Materials” Section.

The SlideRoom application fee is $25 (fee waivers are not available). Thornton supplemental materials will not be accepted via mail or email.

The SlideRoom form must be submitted before the USC Application for Graduate Admission (Applicants can start both forms and work on them at the same time). Once SlideRoom is submitted, you will need to enter your SlideRoom confirmation number into the “Questions” tab, also located in the “program materials” section of the USC Graduate application.

You are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (400 – 550 words) that communicates your plans and goals related to the pursuit of this program. Why do you wish to pursue the MS in Music Industry degree at USC Thornton? Besides having a passion for music, what makes you an ideal candidate for this program?

Essay 1

You are required to submit a short answer not to exceed seventy (70) words to the following question:

Which of the following statements best describes your career goals in the music industry? Briefly explain your choice.

• I am primarily focused on building my career as a professional artist, performer, songwriter or producer.
• I am primarily focused on building a career supporting artists, performers, songwriters, or producers – (other than myself) in business, strategic planning, legal advising, or creative development roles.

Essay 2

Choose one (1) of the following prompts below and respond with a short essay (100-350 words).

• Create a five-song setlist (listing the title and the artist) that reflects your life up to this point. What does each track represent, and why did you select it?
• If you were to create a new flavor Oreo for your favorite artist, which artist would you select, and what flavor Oreo would you create?
• Create a very specific music industry conspiracy theory that includes yacht rock, a hologram, or both.
• If streaming disappeared tomorrow and you are tasked with advising an up-and-coming artist/band with no major label support, what is your first move to help them survive?
• If you could host two currently living people in the music industry for dinner, who would you host and what is the first question you would ask each of them?
• If you were stranded on a deserted island with only enough battery life remaining to listen to one song, which song would you select, and why?

Upload one (1) video recording in the SlideRoom media section addressing the following two prompts: (Each response should not exceed one (1) minute)

• An introduction of yourself describing your background and passion for music and the music industry without using the word “passion” in your description.
• What will your first job be once you graduate from the Music Industry Program? How will you go about finding and securing this job?

The résumé is generally 1-2 pages in length and should focus on the following:

• Education- emphasizing your academic history
• Professional endeavors: identify work, internships, and/or volunteer positions
• Extra-curricular activities: identify activities beyond your classes
• Leadership: identify leadership roles you may have held as part of any of your previous experience(s)

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

You must submit at least one (1) letter of recommendation for the Music Industry program portfolio. Letters of recommendation for the Music Industry program may be from teachers, mentors, or people who know you well, either within or outside of your former school. The letters should give additional context or information to support your admission that is not already provided in your application or other submitted documents (e.g. résumé, transcripts).

Recommendation letters are to be submitted online through the Thornton SlideRoom portal via the “References” section by December 1. We cannot guarantee the review of any material received after December 1.

Applicants to the Thornton School will be required to complete and upload the following form in SlideRoom:

• Waiver and Release of Liability Form

For helpful Slideroom media upload troubleshooting tips, please click here.