University Academic Council

Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs

General Guidelines for Application for Admission

First Semester, AY 2021–2022

The University adopts as a matter of policy inclusive education. Its admission policy is
founded on the thrust to welcome diversity amongst all learners by providing equitable access
to learning and opportunities to harness their potentials as Lifelong Learners.

With the view of determining the aptitude of the applicant for the program applied for
in lieu of a college aptitude examination this time of the pandemic, the following are the
simplified and streamlined general requirements that each applicant will submit upon
application:

A. For Incoming Freshmen Applicants:

a. Grade 11 and Grade 12 (First Semester) Grades
b. School ID (A Certificate of Eligibility is required should there be no available
school ID. See downloadable form.)
c. 1 copy 2´2 colored photo with white background
d. A Personal Statement of not less than 200 words. This will enable the
Department/Program Chairs to get to know the applicant and be able to assess
his or her motivation and readiness to enroll in the Program. The Personal
Statement shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format and shall be
accompanied with a Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship (not to be
included in the word count). The Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship is
the applicant’s solemn attestation to the Office of the Department Chair that the
piece is his or her own work.

B. Graduate Program Applicants:

1. For Non-USC Graduate

a. Certificate of Transfer Credentials (Honorable Dismissal)
b. Transcript of Records (TOR)
c. 1 copy 2´2 colored photo with white background
d. Recommendations from a faculty member of the previous school or colleagues
(See downloadable form)

Talamban Campus, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Phone: +63 (32) 230 0100; Fax: +63 (32) 2537989
Email: vpaa@usc.edu.ph Website: www.usc.edu.ph
 University Academic Council
Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs

e. A Personal Statement of not less than 200 words. This will enable the
Department/Program Chairs to get to know the applicant and be able to assess
his or her motivation and readiness to enroll in the Program. The Personal
Statement shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format and shall be
accompanied with a Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship (not to be
included in the word count). The Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship is
the applicant’s solemn attestation to the Office of the Department Chair that the
piece is his or her own work.
f. Essay Test (follow instructions prompted in the ISMIS)

2. For USC Graduate:

a. Transcript of Records (TOR) only

b. A Personal Statement of not less than 200 words. This will enable the
Department/Program Chairs to get to know the applicant and be able to assess
his or her motivation and readiness to enroll in the Program. The Personal
Statement shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format and shall be
accompanied with a Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship (not to be
included in the word count).The Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship is
the applicant’s solemn attestation to the Office of the Department Chair that the
piece his or her own work.
c. Essay Test (follow instructions prompted in the ISMIS)

C. Transferee Applicants:

a. Certificate of Transfer Credentials (Honorable Dismissal)

b. Transcript of Records (TOR)
c. 1 copy 2´2 colored photo with white background
d. A Personal Statement of not less than 200 words. This will enable the
Department/Program Chairs to get to know the applicant and be able to assess
his or her motivation and readiness to enroll in the Program. The Personal
Statement shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format and shall be
accompanied with a Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship (not to be
included in the word count).The Statement of Originality and Sole Authorship is

Talamban Campus, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Phone: +63 (32) 230 0100; Fax: +63 (32) 2537989
Email: vpaa@usc.edu.ph Website: www.usc.edu.ph
 University Academic Council
Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs

the applicant’s solemn attestation to the Office of the Department Chair that the
piece is his or her own work.
e. Clearance from Office of Student Affairs (OSA), University of San Carlos

D. JD Applicants

a. Transcript of Records;

b. Certificate of good moral character (for Non-USC graduates); and

c. Personal Statement in not more than 1,000 words that will enable the Dean’s
Office to get to know the applicant and assess his or her readiness to enroll in
the law program. The Personal Statement shall be submitted in Microsoft Word
format and shall indicate the applicant’s desired law program (ie., whether JDWT
or JDNT). It shall likewise be accompanied with a Statement of Originality and
Sole Authorship (not to be included in the word count). The Statement of
Originality and Sole Authorship is applicant’s solemn attestation to the Dean’s
Office that the Personal Statement is his or her own work.

d. Optional Submission: In addition to the Personal Statement, the applicant may

submit any of the following to enable the Dean to get to know the applicant
more: academic essay of not more than 1,000 words on how he or she
responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, or, a 90-second video on any topic the
applicant may wish to expound on.

General Instructions

1. Applicants are requested to apply online thru https://ismis.usc.edu.ph/apply.

2. Applicants are requested to follow the steps/process religiously described in ISMIS to

avoid future concerns.

3. Application shall be done by the applicant himself/herself.

Talamban Campus, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Phone: +63 (32) 230 0100; Fax: +63 (32) 2537989
Email: vpaa@usc.edu.ph Website: www.usc.edu.ph