Creators, Innovators, and Disruptors Apply Here

The USC Iovine and Young Academy seeks creators, makers, technology and business innovators, and disruptors who question the status quo and use their talents and abilities to initiate positive and groundbreaking solutions to challenges in virtually any field or sector. The Academy’s educational experience offers unprecedented combinations of knowledge and skills, along with premier professionalizing opportunities, to develop the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative strategists who will lead with empathy and drive innovation for positive impact.

Each fall, the Academy seeks to enroll a select number of students through a multi-stage admission process. Interested applicants must apply to the University of Southern California. From there, we will conduct a holistic review of your Common Application and a SlideRoom supplement.

All undergraduate applicants will need to select the Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation as the 1st choice major under the Regular Decision timeline of the Common Application.

Information on how to apply to the undergraduate programs, including important dates and deadlines, can be found below.

December 1 is the application deadline for incoming first-year students. 

February 15 is the application deadline for external transfer students. 

February 15 is the application deadline for USC internal transfer students. 

No applications will be accepted after these deadlines.

Applicants who meet their respective deadline are automatically considered for USC Merit Scholarships. USC also administers one of the largest undergraduate financial aid programs in the country. In conjunction with the role students’ families play in financing their college education, USC has a long tradition of coordinating school, state and federal funds to fully meet the USC-determined need for undergraduates who satisfy all eligibility requirements and meet all deadlines. For more information about USC undergraduate financial aid and how to apply please visit here. 

First-year applicants must submit the Common Application online at www.commonapp.org. Please select "IYA: Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation B.S." as your first-choice major, under Regular Decision (the Academy does not participate in Early Action at USC). Note that the Academy is not an option as a second-choice major. For detailed information, please visit USC's Undergraduate Admission website.

In addition to the Common Application, first-year applicants must respond to the two essay prompts and are encouraged to submit a supplemental portfolio to the Academy's SlideRoom application portal by December 1. Details are provided below.

External transfer applicants are welcome to apply with the understanding that the Academy curriculum is sequential and may require three to four years at USC. While completed coursework at students' current institutions will be given serious consideration for transfer credit, there is no guarantee it will be credited toward Academy graduation requirements. Credit, as well as incoming class standing, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

External transfer applicants must submit the Common Application online at www.commonapp.org. Please select "IYA: Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation B.S." as your first-choice major. Note that the Academy is not an option as a second-choice major. For detailed information, please visit USC Undergraduate Admission Transfer website.

All external USC transfer applicants must also submit a response to the following essay prompt in 600 words or less:

You are applying to transfer to USC for a major that will likely take 3-4 years to complete. What will the Academy allow you to accomplish that your current degree program/institution will not?

In addition to the Common Application, external transfer applicants must also submit the Academy's SlideRoom application portal by February 15. SlideRoom details can be found below.

The Academy welcomes applicants from around the world, and the USC campus mirrors the rich diversity of the global community. International students make up nearly a quarter of USC’s entire student population. 

International applicants applying to USC can find additional information here. 

The Academy welcomes internal transfer applications from current USC students. It is important to note that the curriculum is sequential and typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete, depending on previous coursework. Completed coursework in students' current majors will be given serious consideration for transfer credit. There is no guarantee it will be credited toward Academy graduation requirements. Credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A minimum 3.0 USC GPA is required to apply.

In addition to the SlideRoom Supplement described below, all internal USC transfer applicants must submit a response to the following essay prompt in 600 words or less:

You are applying to change your major, which may mean extending your time at USC beyond the standard four years (the Academy curriculum is sequential and typically takes 3-4 years to complete depending on previous coursework completed). What will the Academy allow you to accomplish that your current degree program will not?

Internal USC applicants must submit the required essays and optional portfolio to the Academy's SlideRoom application portal by February 15.

All applicants are required to respond to the two essay prompts. The USC Iovine and Young Academy prompts are designed to evaluate applicants' alignment with the Academy's mission of diversity, innovation, and collaboration. The prompts highlight individual strengths and experiences, seeking a holistic view of each candidate's background, skills, and personality. The prompts also assess thought process, creativity, purpose, and passion, encouraging self-reflection to articulate personal growth and potential contributions to the Academy's community.

All Academy applicants must submit a response to the following essay prompt in 500 words or less:

The student body at the USC Iovine and Young Academy is a diverse group of innovators, entrepreneurs, technologists, builders, and designers who work together to create a better world for all humanity.  Diverse groups coalesce around complex challenges and engage societal stakeholders in the collaborative innovation process. Describe how your contributions to the Iovine and Young Academy may enhance or compliment this challenge based, collaborative innovation process. Feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality to help us better understand your thought process and the purposeful work you create.

All Academy applicants must submit a response to the following essay prompt in 300 words or less:

The USC Iovine and Young Academy enables students to choose concentration areas as part of their educational experience - e.g., in addition to the integrated Design, Business, and Technology curriculum base. This allows students to structure individualized paths with classes inside the Academy and across the university, as well as Challenge-Based Reflective Learning projects that enhance their particular areas of expertise and professional interests. Select areas of expertise that you would be interested in taking classes in from the list below and then explain why.

Creative, Maker, Tech, and / or Business Portfolio

The Academy is looking for expressions of creativity, interest in applied learning and making, evidence of the generation of original ideas and ability to collaborate. In addition to the required essay prompts, all applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio of original work (up to five submissions) that may include examples or projects in design, technology, business, arts, science, or communication. Each submission must include a title, description, and details of the student's role in the work's creation and the methods used to develop the project or idea. Where applicable, please include citations. When possible, please submit a range of examples.

IMPORTANT: In order to be considered, each submission must include a title, description, and details of both the student’s role in the work’s creation, and the methods used in the development of the project or idea. Where applicable please include citations.

Applicants can submit up to five total submissions. When possible please submit a range of examples.

This may include images of 2D or 3D work produced in the fields of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, product or industrial design, graphic design (including style guides and process books), fashion design, environmental design, web-based or mobile digital media design, etc. 

This can cover scientific or technological projects, including those developed during residencies or internships, that required creative problem solving and an ability in the integration of multiple disciplines. Evidence may include code excerpts, abstracts, papers, photos, wire frames, schematics, video, etc. 

This may include video, video games, motion graphics, audio recordings, performances of original music etc. 

This may include written materials, graphs, images, videos, etc. that describe a business venture or marketing plans developed by the student. The role of the student applicant in the project must be clearly delineated. 

Applicants can submit a proposal no longer than one minute, showcasing an innovative idea for a product, service, or system that solves a problem, addresses a human need, or provides increased opportunity. Your idea can focus on local or global issues without needing current market value or a consumer base. Ensure your proposal considers desirability (why this is a good idea, who would want it, and how it is better than existing solutions), feasibility (does it work in terms of technology, materials, mechanics, or physics), and viability (is there a market, for-profit or non-profit, and a sustainable business model). Students are strongly encouraged to think beyond "selfie videos" (e.g., a student on screen discussing their idea) and to utilize other forms of visual communication such as graphics, animation, or other clarifying imagery.

It is impossible to efficiently review lengthy or large submissions. If you wish for faculty to understand your creative output, we strongly urge careful selection and curation of submissions to show your best work in the most concise way possible. Excerpts, clip reels, and compilations are preferable to complete submissions. It is also important to select entries that will differentiate you from others and highlight your individuality. 

Additionally, members of the faculty review team will not review materials that are accessible only through an external link, such as to a website or drive. Please note, any materials you wish to be considered must be contained in your Slideroom submission. 

The USC Iovine and Young Academy has a two-stage selection process. After a focused, multi- tiered faculty review of all application materials, a shortlist of select applicants are invited to take part in virtual interviews in February for first-year applicants, while transfer interviews will take place in April. All first-year applicants are notified of their interview status by email by mid to late January, transfers by mid- to late March. Those who are not selected for an interview with the Academy are still considered for admission to the University for their second choice major, or as “undecided”. 

Application deadline for first-year applicants. 

First-year applicants notified of interview status. 

Virtual interviews for first-year applicants. Invitations will be extended to select first-year applicants. 

Application deadline for internal USC transfer and external transfer applicants for entrance in Fall 2025. 

Transfer applicants notified of interview status. 

Virtual interviews for transfer applicants. Invitations will be extended to select transfer applicants. 

First-year Applicants notified of their admission decision.

National Candidates Reply Day for first-year applicants.

External transfer applicants will receive either an admission decision or a request for spring grades by May 31. If you receive a request for spring grades, you will be notified of an admission decision by mid-July.

USC and the Academy have several virtual and on campus events for prospective students throughout the year. For dates and more information, please visit the following links: 

The University of Southern California and the USC Iovine and Young Academy admit students of any race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability or mental disability. The University’s full non-discrimination policy can be found on the Web at policy.usc.edu. 

Undergraduate Admission

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