USCMechanical EngineeringUniversity of Southern California

Program Info

Dates and tuition are specific to the 2027 intake.

1 cases

Official sources are the final authority

Personal statement

Required in the online graduate application.

Resume/CV

Required.

Recommendation letters x 3

From faculty members with direct knowledge of research abilities. Application may be submitted before letters arrive.

Official transcript(s)

Electronic copies from all colleges/universities attended; unofficial portal printouts not accepted. Official hard copies typically after admission.

Official sources are the final authority

Academic: Bachelor's degree; Four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, math, or a hard science. No hard GPA cutoff published for this Viterbi PhD.
Prerequisites: Relevant academic background; Engineering, mathematics, or hard-science preparation; demonstrated research ability and experience expected.
IELTS: 7.0 overall (6.0 each band); For international applicants. USC PhD ISE placement/exemption threshold; no separate university-wide admissions minimum.
TOEFL: New scale: 5.0 overall (4.0 each section) | Old scale: 100 overall (20 each section); For international applicants. USC PhD ISE placement/exemption thresholds for tests from 21 Jan 2026; no separate university-wide admissions minimum.; For international applicants. USC publishes these scores for ISE Exam placement/exemption for PhD programs; no separate university-wide admissions minimum. New scale applies to tests from 21 Jan 2026.
GRE: Not considered; GRE not required for 2027 Viterbi PhD applications except ASTE and ISE.