How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Southern California: Apply With Psychology as Your First-Choice Major, Apply by 1 November for Merit Scholarships, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese High School, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Southern California (USC), psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, leading to a BA in Psychology. USC applicants list a first-choice major, and the admission office says it pays careful attention to preparation for the intended major. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on USC’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Studying psychology

• Three majors in the department: BA Psychology, BA Social Sciences with an Emphasis in Psychology, and BA Cognitive Science, plus minors in Psychology and in Psychology and Law.
• BA Psychology (effective fall 2027), 48 units:
  • lower division, 12 units: Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100), Foundations of Statistics (MATH 114) and Statistics (PSYC 274);
  • research methodology, 8 units: Experimental Research Methods (PSYC 314) and Non-Experimental Research Methods (PSYC 316), taken in the 274–314–316 sequence;
  • area requirement, 16 units: one course in each of four of five areas (cognitive, developmental, clinical, biological, social);
  • 12 additional units: two 400-level psychology courses and one psychology elective.
• Grades: all major courses must be taken for a letter grade, with C- or higher.
• AP and IB: AP Psychology 4 or 5 or HL IB Psychology 5–7 can substitute for PSYC 100; AP Statistics 4 or 5 can substitute for MATH 114.
• Honors: students usually apply in the fall of junior year with at least a 3.5 overall GPA and the math, statistics and research methods requirements done; they take PSYC 380 in junior spring and PSYC 480 in senior spring, complete an empirical honors thesis, and must graduate with at least a 3.5 GPA.

2. Application plans and timeline

• Early Decision (ED): due 1 November 2026, with admission or deferral to Regular Decision by mid-December. ED is binding; USC expects to admit ED applicants to their first-choice major, and an ED applicant offered a different major is released from the agreement.
• Early Action (EA): due 1 November 2026, non-binding, with admission or deferral in late January.
• Regular Decision: due 10 January 2027, with decisions by 1 April.
• Scholarships: for most majors, apply by 1 November (ED or EA) to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
• Materials: the Common Application, transcripts from all high schools and colleges, one letter from a counselor or teacher, and fall grades when available. USC holds no admission interviews and does not track demonstrated interest.
• Math: C or better in at least three years of high school math including Algebra II; no other curriculum is required, but admitted students typically take the most rigorous courses available.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Chinese National Curriculum: USC says successful students achieve high marks, mostly 90+ out of 100 and 135+ out of 150.
• International curricula: USC typically expects the full IB Diploma with 5–7 on all HL and SL exams and predicted grades; for A-Levels, submit I/GCSE results and predictions for all A-Levels, with competitive applicants predicted at least B in three subjects and no subject requirements.
• Testing is optional for 2027-28 first-year applicants. If you send SAT or ACT scores, they must be official reports from the testing agency, and USC records the highest section scores.
• Gaokao: USC does not say whether or how Gaokao results are used.
• Documents: transcripts must come directly from your school, in the original language with certified English translations, along with external exam results or predictions. USC does not contract with, and is not represented by, educational agents or other non-USC entities.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• USC’s published curriculum guidance does not list Canadian or BC requirements; use USC’s International Qualifications tool for your country, or ask admissions.
• Canadian citizens are international students too: they must submit financial documents and cannot receive need-based aid.
• English: all international applicants whose native language is not English must submit an English test, and USC states it grants no waivers or exceptions.

5. English requirements

• Approved tests and recommended minimums:
  • TOEFL iBT (including Special Home Edition): 100 with at least 20 per section for tests before 21 January 2026; 5 with at least 4 per section on the new scale after that;
  • IELTS (including IELTS Indicator) 7; C1 Advanced 185 with at least 169 per skill; PTE 68;
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 650, or ACT English 27.
• Admitted students: USC says the average TOEFL iBT for admitted students is above 111, with 25 or more in each section. Applicants below the recommended minimums can be admitted, at reduced rates.
• Duolingo: only if you cannot sit an approved exam, with a minimum of 130; students admitted with only Duolingo must take the USC American Language Institute’s International Student Exam on arrival.
• TOEFL ITP Plus for China is not accepted. Official scores are due within two weeks of your deadline.
• USC encourages Duolingo, InitialView or Vericant interviews as optional, non-evaluative evidence of English.

6. Costs, aid and scholarships

• 2026-27 costs (US$, on campus): tuition 75,384; fees 1,952; housing 13,510; food 8,442; books 670; transportation 1,188; personal 2,016; total 103,162, plus a $450 new student fee in the first semester. 2027-28 figures are not yet published.
• No need-based aid for international students: all international applicants must show they can pay at least the first year’s full cost, uploading the signed Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support, proof of funds and a passport copy within two weeks of the deadline, with documents dated August 2026 or later.
• Merit scholarships: all international applicants who apply by the right deadline are eligible, with no minimum requirements, and awards range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition; USC says over 1,000 admitted students last year received $10,000 or more per year. Selection is highly competitive, international applicants may not rely on these awards to show ability to pay, and no merit scholarship covers the full cost of attendance.

7. Transfer students

• Deadline: 15 February 2027 for most majors, including psychology; decisions or requests for spring grades by late May, with decisions after spring grades by mid-July.
• Requirements: USC accepts sophomore and junior transfers; successful applicants usually have at least one year of full-time coursework with strong grades. With fewer than 30 transferable semester units by the end of spring, the decision rests largely on your high school record (and SAT or ACT if submitted). You list a first-choice major and may add a second choice or Undecided/Exploratory.
• English: international transfer applicants whose native language is not English need a TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, PTE or qualifying SAT or ACT score from the past two years.
• Credit:
  • courses from US regionally accredited institutions are generally accepted, and courses from international institutions approved as degree-granting by their Ministry of Education may also transfer;
  • at most 32 units from AP, IB and other exams;
  • at least 64 units, about half of the degree, must be completed at USC, including all upper-division major and minor courses.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• List psychology as your first-choice major; apply ED or EA by 1 November for scholarship consideration, or Regular Decision by 10 January
• TOEFL 5 (4 per section) on the new scale or 100 (20 per section) on the old, or IELTS 7; do not use TOEFL ITP Plus
• Aim for 90+ (or 135+ out of 150) in the national curriculum; SAT and ACT are optional
• Send financial documents and official English scores within two weeks of the deadline

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; non-native English speakers must submit a test with no waivers; financial documents are required

Transfer students:

• Apply by 15 February 2027, ideally after a full year of full-time study; at least 64 units must be taken at USC

Sources: University of Southern California, First-year students and deadlines; International students; Academic expectations for international students; What we look for; Test-optional FAQ; Transfer students; Scholarships; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Psychology academic programs; BA Psychology requirement sheet, effective fall 2027; Psychology Honors Program; Catalogue: BA Psychology. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 rates). Check USC for the latest details.