A first-year/freshman applicant is any student currently enrolled in high school or who has graduated from high school and never attended college. No specific high school curriculum is prescribed or required, though students offered admission typically pursue the most rigorous program available to them in English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language and the arts.

Please carefully review and follow the application instructions for first-year applicants on USC's Undergraduate Admission website.

Important note: Depending on your choice of degree program within USC Games, you will follow the application instructions for either the School of Cinematic Arts or the Viterbi School of Engineering. Please take note of the different application deadlines below.

Deadlines

In order to be considered for admission, all required applications and materials must be submitted by the deadline listed below. Late applications will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted. USC Games cannot verify receipt of any application materials. Applicants may check their USC Applicant Portal and SlideRoom Application portal for the status of materials.

Application Deadline for the School of Cinematic Arts degrees: December 1st

The School of Cinematic Arts is not participating in early action. In order to apply to one of the three BFA degrees offered by the School of Cinematic Arts (Game Art, Game Development and Interaction Design, Themed Entertainment), you must first select your “Preferred Admission Plan” on the Common Application to “Regular Decision”.

Application Deadline for the Viterbi School of Engineering degree: January 15th

The Viterbi School of Engineering requires you list Computer Science (Games) as your first choice major to be considered for application.

Admission Notification Date: By April 1st

Apply

All first-year/freshmen applicants must complete the The Common Application. Please note that the Common Application must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for admission. Submit supplemental materials, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. to USC’s Office of Admission. View a checklist of required materials here.

Applicants to the School of Cinematic Arts Bachelor’s of Fine Arts programs (Game Art, Game Development and Interaction Design, Themed Entertainment) are required to submit two letters of recommendation via the Common Application, and must supplemental materials via the SlideRoom Application. Please be sure to submit the correct SlideRoom Application for the program you intend to apply for and your incoming status. If you apply to more than one SCA program as your 1st choice and 2nd choice major, you must submit a SlideRoom Application for each program.

SlideRoom Application Instructions by Program:

• Game Art Bachelor of Fine Arts

• Game Development and Interactive Design Bachelor of Fine Arts

• Themed Entertainment Bachelor of Fine Arts

For questions regarding application to the School of Cinematic Arts degrees, our Admissions Office can be reached at 213-740-8358 or admissions@cinema.usc.edu with any questions.