The Final Scientific Frontier Is Right Here.
How is information transmitted between neurons? How do these processes give rise to perception? How does the brain formulate thought? Acquire new knowledge? How does the nervous system coordinate movement? What are the factors that contribute to neurodivergence? What causes neurodegenerative disease? The answers to these complex questions are crucial for advancing medical, technological, and societal innovations. Unlocking the answers requires bringing together experts in diverse fields, from cellular-molecular biology, to anatomy, to neurophysiology, and computational sciences. Our Ph.D. program, with its distinguished faculty mentors, provides a multidisciplinary training environment for advancing neuroscience research, discovery, and application.
How to Apply to NGP
Applications for Fall 2026 admission are due December 1, 2025. Applications are only considered for Fall admission each year.
Step 1. Create an account through the USC Graduate Studies Application Portal
Step 2. Sign into your account
Step 3. Click on the + at the bottom of the screen and make the following selections:
Program Level: Graduate
School: USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
Department: USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
Term: Fall
Step 4: Fill in the application and provide the following materials:
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Undergraduate and Graduate (if applicable) Transcripts (review transcript requirements here: https://gradadm.usc.edu/tools-resources/transcript-requirements/ )
- Examples of research works (e.g., published articles, if available)
- Contact information for letters of recommendation (minimum of 3 letters required)
- **TOEFL/IELTS (for international applicants only): Official scores must be sent electronically to USC from the testing service; Photocopies or paper copies of scores are not acceptable. TOEFL: USC’s institution code is 4852. No department code is required. IELTS: Select “University of Southern California” from the list of available institutions when you register to take the IELTS test. Alternatively, provide this information to your testing center after you have taken the test. Contact information for the USC department to which you are applying is not required.
- Payment for the application fee ($90). Fee waivers may be available, but need to be arranged ahead of time: https://uscngpprd.wpenginepowered.com/prospective-students/faq/#1731292018452-87238bd2-c278
Please note, when listing undergraduate/graduate grade point averages (GPA) in your application use the system of your university. If you received a percentage grade, provide the average percentage. If you were graded on a scale other than 4.0 (with 4.0 equal to an “A”), please indicate the average grade AND indicate the scale (for example, 8.5/10).
GRE scores are not considered
NGP typically receives around 200 applications and admits ~15 students per year. Admission offers are based on a number of factors, including overall undergraduate GPA (and graduate GPA if applicable), academic performance in upper-division courses, a history of relevant research or practical work experiences, strong letters of recommendation, and potential fit for research interests with our available faculty. Applicants will be asked to list up to five faculty members whose research fits their specific interests and training goals. Learn more about our research faculty here.
