Fall 2025 Admission
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024
This deadline applies to all applicants, including first-year, transfer, and graduate applicants. Exception: The only programs with different application deadlines are “Arts Leadership” and “Popular Music Teaching and Learning” (May 1 final application deadline) and all Thornton minors (October 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025).
Important notes:
- USC Thornton offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving break from November 27 – December 1. We strongly recommend that you plan to begin the SlideRoom uploading process well before our office closes for the Thanksgiving break. The Thornton Office of Admission will be available for application support until 5pm PT on Tuesday, November 26. SlideRoom Tech Support is only available Monday – Friday, 6AM-3PM PT (hours may vary on holidays). SlideRoom Technical support will not be available on December 1. Please plan accordingly.
- All required materials must be received by the December 1 deadline in order to be given full consideration. Also, please note that late applications cannot be considered for admission to a Thornton program, and USC is not able to refund application fees.
Spring 2025 Admission
Application Deadline: October 1, 2024
Important note: All required materials must be received by this date in order to be given full consideration.
Graduate applicants should carefully note that the following programs do not accept applications for spring semester entrance:
- All DMA Programs
- Artist Diploma
- Choral and Sacred Music
- Community Music
- Composition
- Early Music
- Jazz Studies
- Music Industry
- Musicology
- Music Teaching and Learning
- Popular Music Teaching and Learning
- Screen Scoring
- Strings
Undergraduate applications are not accepted for spring entrance, except when the applicant is a current USC student.
Current USC Students
USC undergraduates wishing to change their major to music in the fall semester of 2025 must submit all required application materials to the Thornton Admission office by the same deadline of December 1, 2024. For spring semester 2025 admission, the deadline is October 1, 2024.
The following undergraduate programs do not accept applications for spring semester entrance:
- Choral Music
- Composition
- Jazz Studies and Jazz Voice
- Popular Music
- Music Production
- Strings
Minors
Current USC undergraduates wishing to declare a minor in music must submit the required application to the Thornton Admission office by the following deadlines:
- For Admission to the Spring 2025 Semester: October 1, 2024
- For Admission to the Fall 2025 Semester: March 1, 2025