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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Browse programs

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BM Music Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Training

Music Production BM integrates musicianship, recording, audio technology, arranging, studio technique, and producer-led creative decision-making

Students learn to shape performances from pre-production through tracking, editing, and mixing

Creative Practice

Production projects unite composition, performance, engineering, and collaboration with Thornton artists

Professional Development

Los Angeles offers direct context for records, live sessions, film, television, games, and independent production

Facilities

Thornton studios and technology spaces support iterative recording work

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Music Production BM integrates musicianship, recording, audio technology, arranging, studio technique, and producer-led creative decision-making

Students learn to shape performances from pre-production through tracking, editing, and mixing

Creative Practice

Production projects unite composition, performance, engineering, and collaboration with Thornton artists

Professional Development

Los Angeles offers direct context for records, live sessions, film, television, games, and independent production

Facilities

Thornton studios and technology spaces support iterative recording work

Program Highlights

Training

Music Production BM integrates musicianship, recording, audio technology, arranging, studio technique, and producer-led creative decision-making

Students learn to shape performances from pre-production through tracking, editing, and mixing

Creative Practice

Production projects unite composition, performance, engineering, and collaboration with Thornton artists

Professional Development

Los Angeles offers direct context for records, live sessions, film, television, games, and independent production

Facilities

Thornton studios and technology spaces support iterative recording work

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

First Year Students · admission.usc.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

$35

Deadline

Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Deadlines · music.usc.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Songs

The prescreen includes a 2-3 minute performance of popular, jazz, or classical repertoire, plus the production portfolio. Invited applicants complete the published live audition and interview.

Additional Materials

Portfolio / Creative Sample

Three audio recordings, of which at least one is an original work, which demonstrate the applicant's audio recording, MIDI sequencing and production skills; in the "Additional details" section of your SlideRoom media upload, indicate how your work is represented in the production of each audio submission (for example: songwriter, arranger, singer, instrumentalist, MIDI sequencer, engineer, audio/MIDI editor, or mixer)

Workstation Introduction Video

A 1-3 minute video introduction of yourself at your work-station. On this video, please tell us about your prior experience with musical instruments and music technology; provide a description of your private studio work-space; and relate your experience, if any, of producing recordings.

Music Production Performance Video

A 2-3 minute video of a performance of a song from existing popular music, jazz or classical repertoire. The video should be unedited and the applicant should be clearly visible. If the applicant does not play a conventional instrument, a performance where the applicant manipulates sound in real time using a controller or other similar device is acceptable.

Introductory Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted 1-2 minute video that offers a brief personal introduction and answers the following question: "How do you envision using your USC Thornton education to become a force for positive change in the evolution of the music profession and music as an art form?"

Music Production Final Project Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted video of no more than two minutes. In this video applicants must answer the following question: "If you were pitching your Final Project idea today, what is the project you would propose and why?"

Waiver and Release of Liability Form

Complete and upload the USC Thornton Waiver and Release of Liability Form in SlideRoom.

Resume

Upload a current musical resume.

Transcript

Transfer applicants upload all college transcripts in SlideRoom.

Recommendation

Optional recommendations may be submitted through SlideRoom.

Video Specifications

Videos and recordings do not need to be highly produced and should accurately represent your abilities; avoid corrective studio effects such as AutoTune.

Do not buy or borrow gear for the prescreen; use the equipment you already have.

Music Production Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

University Essays

Common App personal essay

250–650 words · Choose 1 of 7 prompts · Written once for all your Common App schools

Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application.

USC short answer

About 250 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. (Approximately 250 words)

Quick Takes

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to Common App.

USC Student Commitment questionOptional

About 250 words

(Optional) The USC Student Commitment charges Trojans to "value honest, open communication and robust debate," and to "champion ideological diversity and embrace freedom of expression." Describe a time when you disagreed with someone you know about something important to you. Did you change your mind or reach common ground? (Approximately 250 words)

Application · Common App Application · Common App Uscs Glossary For First Year Applicants 5b8 · admissionblog.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Thornton permits one first-choice Thornton major.

The program-specific SlideRoom portfolio is opened from the submitted Common Application. Early Decision and Early Action are not available for undergraduate Thornton majors, so first-year applicants select Regular Decision.

Complete both the USC application and the Thornton SlideRoom portfolio by the December 1 deadline.

What's The Process

Audition Process

Prescreen results are emailed in late December. Invited applicants receive the date and time of their live audition, which typically takes place in late January or early February; do not make travel plans until the audition appointment is confirmed.

In-person campus auditions are strongly encouraged. Applicants who live more than 100 miles from campus and cannot travel to Los Angeles because of financial hardship can request an online audition in their Thornton SlideRoom portfolio; applicants within 100 miles of campus must audition in person. A requested online audition may be scheduled outside the regular audition weekends and is not guaranteed.

Audition Expectations

The live audition has two parts: an interview (approximately 15 minutes long) and a sequencing exercise

Sequencing exercise: applicants have 2 hours to create a MIDI sequence for a provided lead sheet and vocal audio file

Bring your own laptop computer, software, and headphones for the sequencing exercise; audio interfaces and MIDI keyboards are provided for in-person auditions on the USC campus

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Training

Music Production BM integrates musicianship, recording, audio technology, arranging, studio technique, and producer-led creative decision-making

Students learn to shape performances from pre-production through tracking, editing, and mixing

Creative Practice

Production projects unite composition, performance, engineering, and collaboration with Thornton artists

Professional Development

Los Angeles offers direct context for records, live sessions, film, television, games, and independent production

Facilities

Thornton studios and technology spaces support iterative recording work

Updated 1d ago