Music Industry

The application fee for the USC Graduate application is $90. 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 (500 – 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? How do you envision this degree meeting your personal, academic, and/or professional goals for the future?

You are required to submit a short essay (100 – 350 words each) on each of the following two (2) topics:

• Provide at least two (2) examples of positive advances in the music industry that have occurred throughout the last two years that will benefit the artist / songwriter into the future? Do not include TikTok in your discussion.
• If you could pick any living individual in the world to interview, who would it be? Why did you pick this person? What would be the first question you would ask them?

You are required to submit a video submission consisting of two (2) recordings responding to both of the following prompts:

• A 1 – 2 minute video that addresses the following: An introduction of yourself describing your background and passion for music and the music industry without using the word “passion” in your description.
• A 1 – 2 minute video answering the following question: Tell us about the last time you took a risk. Was it the right decision? What would you have done differently?

The résumé should list musical, professional, and academic experience and is generally 1-2 pages in length. You are required to submit your résumé focusing on the following:

• Education- emphasizing your academic history;
• Professional endeavors- identifying work, internships, and/or volunteer positions;
• Extra-curricular activities- identify activities beyond academics; and
• Leadership – identifying 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:

• Parental Consent Form (if applicant is under 18 years of age by December 1, 2023)

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