Application Procedures

Each application is carefully evaluated by a panel of Media Arts & Practice faculty, based on the following criteria:

                       • GPA (calculated from submitted transcripts)
                       • GRE Scores
                       • Personal Statement
                       • Writing Sample
                       • Media Portfolio
                       • Letters of Recommendation

The committee favors admission materials that indicate a diverse background in media production or critical studies, design and/or programming. The committee is also interested in experiences and activities that show a continuing or recent involvement with hybrid forms of new media-based scholarship.

USC Admission Materials

The following items must be submitted to the USC Office of Admission:

1. USC Application for Admission

      Apply online: Graduate

      The University Application for Admission is not available through the School of Cinematic Arts.

2. Official Transcripts

      Transcripts are required from all schools attended. Refer to the USC Online Application for specific instructions.

3. GRE Scores

Graduate applicants, including those with advanced degrees, are required to submit GRE scores. Other tests (for example, the Graduate Management Admission Test or Law School Admission Test) are not acceptable. GRE scores may not be more than five years old at the time of application for admission. The committee will not evaluate an application without GRE scores.

TOEFL Scores: International applicants, for whom English is not the native language, must submit TOEFL scores in addition to SAT/ACT/GRE scores. TOEFL scores may not be more than two years old at the time of application for admission. Inter-national applicants are expected to have a good command of the English language.

Send official transcripts and test scores to:
University of Southern California
Office of Admission
University Park
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911

Required Cinematic Arts Supplemental Materials

The following materials must be submitted online with the University's Application for Admission.

1. Cinematic Arts Personal Statement

The personal statement should describe the applicant‚s motivations and career objectives and relate them to past experiences with media, design, programming or scholarly practice. In addition, applicants should describe a hybrid scholarly-creative project that exemplifies the type of work they want to pursue while in the program. Applicants are under no obligation to undertake this project if accepted to the program, but may consider this an opportunity to present their research/design interests in concrete terms.

2. Writing Sample

The writing sample should demonstrate an applicant's ability to write with sophistication and clarity about matters of relevance to the theory and practice of media arts.

3. Media Portfolio

The Media Portfolio provides an opportunity for applicants to present creative work for which they were the primary creator, designer or programmer. In general, applicants are encouraged to emphasize quality over quantity in selecting materials for the portfolio. Time-based works should not total more than 15 minutes. Excerpts and URLs are welcome. Preferred format for physical media submissions is DVD.

4. Letters of Recommendation

      A minimum of three letters of recommendation from a variety of sources (not exclusively from teachers) are required. Graduate applicants are highly encouraged to submit their letters through the University's online application. Applicants are responsible for verifying that the letters have been received.

Submit University and Cinematic Arts Applications, Personal Statement, Writing Sample, Media Portfolio, and Letters of Recommendation online using the University's Online Application. Recommenders who will not use the online process may send their letters directly to:

Media Arts & Practice
Institute for Multimedia Literacy Building
School of Cinematic Arts
746 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90089-7727

Notification

Decision letters mailed by:

March 15th

Approximately three Graduate Media Arts & Practice applicants are admitted each fall. This program does not offer Spring admission.

Admission Checklist
USC Office of Admission
213.740.1111

·         USC Application for Admission
·         Official Transcripts (from all schools attended)
·         GRE Scores (and TOEFL for international students)

Media Arts & Practice
213.743.4421

·         Personal Statement
·         Writing Sample
·         Media Portfolio
·         Letters of Recommendation