USC Admissions Update: Early Action Results Are In—How Early Decision Could Be Your Game-Changer
Hey future Trojan! Big news just dropped—USC has released its Early Action (EA) decisions. This year, University of Southern California received 42,000 applications, marking a 2% increase from last year. Out of those, around 3,500 applicants earned Early Action admission. If you weren’t one of them, don’t panic, you’re not out of the running. If you’ve been deferred, there’s still time to make your case.
What If You Were Deferred?
If you’ve been deferred, here’s your chance to make a comeback:
Submit the Early Action Deferral Form: Log into your USC portal and confirm that you still want to be considered for Regular Decision.
Send Your Mid-Year Grades: Make sure to submit your updated grades. USC will take them into account when they review your application for Regular Decision.
No Extra Materials Needed: USC has made it clear, they won’t review any additional materials such as resumes, recommendation letters, essays, or general updates. No letters of continued interest are needed either. This is all about equity, USC wants to keep things simple and fair for every deferred applicant.
Game-Changer for Business Majors: Early Decision is Here!
Here’s some exciting news, USC is rolling out Early Decision (ED) for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, but only for business and accounting majors. If USC is your #1 choice and you’re ready to commit, ED could be your best shot. ED is a binding commitment, meaning if you’re admitted, you must attend.
Why does this matter? This shift is part of USC’s plan to increase yield, the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. By adopting ED, USC is following the lead of top schools like UPenn. ED helps attract students who are truly committed to becoming part of the Trojan family. This is USC’s way of stepping up to the challenge of improving its yield and elevating its undergraduate student profile.
Let’s break that down:
Increasing yield means ensuring more admitted students will actually choose to attend USC. With ED, USC can be more confident that admitted students will enroll, helping them meet enrollment goals.
Lowering the acceptance rate means being more selective about who gets in. By admitting students who are already committed to attending, USC can keep its acceptance rate lower and increase its selectivity.
Strengthening the student profile means USC can admit students who are not only academically qualified but also deeply committed to the university. This improves the overall quality of the student body and creates a stronger, more engaged campus.
USC is expecting to admit about 5,200 students through Regular Decision, which will make up around 60% of the first-year class. With applications increasing by 2%, the competition is getting tougher, but applying through Early Decision could give you a significant advantage. Here’s how ED works in your favor:
Higher chances of admission: ED applicants often have a better shot because it shows you’re all in and serious about USC.
Peace of mind: No more waiting until spring. With ED, you’ll know exactly where you’ll be next fall, and you can stop worrying about your application.
If you’re leaning toward Early Decision, check out our previous blog, Early Decision vs. Regular Decision: A Clear Advantage for College Admissions. It’ll give you all the insights you need to decide if ED is the right move for you and help you understand how it could boost your chances of getting in.
At Ivy Link, we help students like you every step of the way. From crafting a standout application to fine-tuning your essays and deciding on the right admissions route, we’re here to guide you through all the important decisions. We've helped countless students get into top schools like USC, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
If you’re ready to make your USC dream a reality, reach out to Ivy Link today, and we’ll help you put your best foot forward.
