Every year, the USC Career Center, in partnership with the USC Dornsife Pre-Graduate Advising Office, hosts the USC Graduate Schools Fair. Planning to attend? Read on for helpful tips on how to make the most out of your time at the fair.

Graduate Schools Fair Details: 

Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Trousdale Parkway

The fair is open to both USC and non-USC students from all class years and majors, including transfer students and spring admits.

Do Your Research

Before the day of the fair, be sure to visit the event page for the USC Graduate Schools Fair to view the full list of schools and programs in attendance. Some schools will be bringing their general admissions officers while others will be bringing representatives from one or more of their specific programs. 

Based on your interests, make a list of schools you want to meet with on the day of the fair. This will make it easier for you to manage your time at the event and navigate through the fair on Trousdale. 

We have over 100 schools attending! 

Tip: Download the Handshake app if you haven’t already, to have the list of schools readily available.

Create a List of Questions 

Do you want to learn more about the application process, or are you focused on finding programs with strong faculty in your area of interest? Are you concerned about financial aid options or support for international students? 

Identifying these priorities ahead of time will help you develop the kinds of questions to ask representatives at the fair.

Below are some additional guiding questions you can ask when you stop by a booth that interests you: 

• What do you think is unique about your program?
• Are students admitted in both fall and spring semesters?
• Is it possible to work full-time and complete the degree as a part-time student?
• How much does the program cost (tuition, student fees, and housing)?
• What types of financial aid are available (fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and loans)?
• Could you tell me more about student life on campus (student organizations, housing, support groups, and diversity of the students)?
• What is the location surrounding the school like (mountains, ocean, rural, or city)?
• What are the admission requirements (deadline, GPA, undergraduate coursework, entrance exams, experience, and interview)?
• What resources are available to help students find positions after graduation?
• Would it be possible for me to arrange a campus visit in which I could meet with admissions representatives, current students, and faculty?
• May I contact you if I have additional questions?
  
  

Additional On-Campus Resources 

• For more information regarding researching and applying to graduate school, please visit the USC Dornsife Career Pathways Pre-Law and Graduate School Advising office’s website for graduate school advising. You will find information on researching graduate schools, timelines, application requirements, scholarships, etc. Please email pregrad@usc.edu if you have any additional questions.
  
  
• Explore additional events happening on campus to connect you with graduate schools
  • Upcoming Events Graduate School Events: 
    • Graduate Schools Fair – October 22
    • USC Law School Fair – October 23
    • Industry Insights: Grad School Panel – October 23
    • The Master’s Tour LA @ USC – October 29
    • Duke Engineering Graduate Programs Info Session – November 4
    • Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences Info Session – November 5 
    • Harvard Business School – Information Session – November 11 

We wish you luck with your graduate school planning! 

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