Prompt database · 2026-27 cycle
University of Southern California
Deadlines
source| Early Action | November 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Early Decision | November 1, 2026 |
| Regular Decision | January 10, 2027 |
Essay prompts (14)
- academic interest2026-27250 words
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Describe yourself in 3 words.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
What is your favorite snack?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Best movie of all time?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Dream job?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Dream trip?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
What TV show will you binge watch next?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Favorite book?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- community2026-27
Applies to: First-year applicants whose first-choice major is in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering (engineering or computer science, major prefix VSE)
Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27250 words
Applies to: First-year applicants whose first-choice major is in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering (engineering or computer science, major prefix VSE)
Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- other2026-27
Applies to: First-year applicants whose first-choice major is in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about – a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Southern California has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
The school's published AI policy
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