USC Admissions: Entering Undergraduate Class Statistics
Contact: Merrill Balassone at (213) 740-6156 or balasson@usc.edu
(Click here for a downloadable version of the class of 2018 infographic)
South LA’s Foshay Learning Center, home of the university’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, is among the high schools sending the most students to USC
September 25, 2014 — The University of Southern California’s entering undergraduate student body is among the most diverse and academically talented in the university’s 134-year history.
Freshmen who are the first in their families to attend college make up 14 percent of the class of 2018, and more than two-thirds of the class will receive financial assistance.
On average, incoming freshmen scored in the 95th percentile on standardized tests and earned an un-weighted GPA of 3.73 in high school.
“The USC class of 2018 is self-described as ‘creative,’ ‘determined,’ and ‘passionate.’ It is clear that these new Trojans will have an immediate positive impact on our campus culture,” said Timothy Brunold, USC’s dean of admission. “Our faculty are excited about spending the next four years with this diverse and talented group.”
A record 51,920 applications were submitted for consideration for the class of 2018, and admission was offered to 9,358 applicants. The admission rate of 18 percent is the most selective in the university’s history.
The class of 2018 represents a highly competitive and highly diverse group of students, with very broad geographic representation:
â— The class ranks among the most ethnically diverse ever enrolled at USC, with 22 percent underrepresented minority students, including 7 percent African-American, 13 percent Latino and 2 percent Native American/Pacific Islander.
â— Overall, 45 percent of newly enrolled students are from California. Outside California, the leading U.S. states of residence of incoming freshmen are, in order: New York, Texas, Washington and Illinois.
â— International students (17 percent) are citizens of 52 different countries. The most represented places of origin outside the U.S. are China (including Hong Kong), India, Canada, South Korea and Taiwan.
â— South L.A.’s Foshay Learning Center was third among high schools who sent the most students to USC this fall, with 20. Other top schools included Loyola High (23 students), Palos Verdes High (21) and Harvard-Westlake (19).
Foshay is the home of USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a pre-college enrichment program that prepares students for admission to a college or university. It includes intensive tutoring before and after school and on most Saturdays.
“Through the NAI program, students from Foshay have shown they can compete with students from high schools that have substantially more resources,” said Thomas S. Sayles, senior vice president for university relations. “Simply put, NAI enables students at Foshay to reach their full potential.”
USC enrolls more underrepresented minority students (African-American, Latino Pacific Islander and Native American) than most other private research universities in the country (more than 3,300 undergraduates as of fall 2013, or 18 percent of its total undergraduate population).
Moreover, USC enrolls more than 4,200 low-income undergraduate students (as defined by Pell Grant eligibility), also more than most private research universities. Most importantly, low-income and underrepresented minority students at USC graduate at rates comparable to the overall undergraduate population.
USC offers admission without regard to ability to pay, and the university meets 100 percent of the demonstrated need of on-time financial aid applicants. For information and FAQ about USC financial aid, go to https://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/faqsFastFactsUGA.html
