Brief: USC Performing Arts Deadline Is December 1

The University of Southern California (USC) admission website states that first-year applicants to dance, drama, and music majors may apply only through Regular Decision, with a deadline of December 1, 2026, and that applicants who meet it will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships; Regular Decision for most other majors closes January 10, 2027. Seniors in Irvine and Orange County preparing auditions or portfolios have three weeks left.

Who Is Affected by the USC December 1 Deadline

The USC December 1 deadline mainly affects students applying to three performing arts schools: the Kaufman School of Dance, the School of Dramatic Arts, and the Thornton School of Music. These schools do not participate in the November 1 Early Decision and Early Action rounds, so December 1 is their only deadline, and decisions are released by April 1.

USC’s application rounds and scholarship consideration are as follows:

The banner at the top of the admission page links December 1 to both performing arts admission and USC Merit Scholarships. Students in other majors who missed November 1 and want scholarship consideration should apply by December 1 and confirm with the admission counselor for their region.

According to the scholarships page, USC Merit Scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission, range from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition, and are based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and talent; last year, more than 1,000 admitted students received scholarships of $10,000 per year or more. Merit scholarships do not require a separate need-based financial aid application.

What to Do Now About the USC December 1 Deadline

Confirm the requirements for the intended major. Performance majors may require auditions, and some majors require a portfolio, a résumé, or writing samples, which the student is responsible for completing by the deadline.

Assemble the materials on the checklist. USC uses the Common Application, and test scores are optional; students who submit scores must send official scores from the testing agency (SAT code 4852, ACT code 0470), and self-reported scores are not accepted. One letter of recommendation is required, from the school counselor or a teacher at the student’s school. USC does not conduct admission interviews and does not track demonstrated interest.

Need-based aid has its own deadline. The financial aid deadline for Regular Decision applicants is February 3, 2027, and requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

USC’s early rounds are covered in USC Early Decision and Early Action Due November 1, and overall planning for supplemental essays and arts applications is available through EDUBUS University Admissions Planning and the College Essay Bootcamp.

Sources

• University of Southern California Admission: First-Year Students (dates and deadlines, application checklist, additional requirements) (accessed November 9, 2026)
• University of Southern California Admission: Scholarships (accessed November 9, 2026)