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University of Southern California: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language
USC asks for records in the original language with an English translation: its graduate office wants a separate, word-for-word translation that mirrors the original as closely as possible, and its undergraduate pages ask for a certified English translation. For graduate programs, the University of Southern California accepts certified translations from professional services such as eVerbary, since it names the school itself or a professional, certified translator; the undergraduate pages do not say who may translate. USC graduate admission does not accept outside credential evaluations such as WES or ECE in place of your records, so for USC you need the school-issued records and the translation, not an evaluation.
Word-for-word, mirrored
The graduate translation must follow the original line by line.
No WES or ECE reports
USC reviews school-issued records, not outside evaluations.
Country selector decides
Whether original-language records are needed depends on your country.
USC requirements at a glance
| What USC asks for | |
|---|---|
| Translation (graduate) | A separate, word-for-word English translation of all records, containing everything on the original and mirroring it as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable (source). |
| Who may translate (graduate) | The school itself, or a professional, certified translator; the country page says a professional translation service (transcript requirements, country requirements). |
| Translation (undergraduate) | Records not in English are sent in the native language with a certified English translation; no translator rule is published (source). |
| Evaluation | Not used. USC graduate admission does not accept credential evaluation reports from outside agencies such as WES or ECE for admission review (source). |
| Where to upload (graduate) | Scans of official transcripts go in the Academic History section of the online application; or hard copies by mail or courier; or e-transcripts from a secure vendor to etrans@usc.edu (source). |
| Timing (graduate) | Mailed records and e-transcripts only after you submit the application and receive your 10-digit USC ID (source). |
| Undergraduate delivery | Official records are sent directly from the schools or testing agencies; first-year applicants apply through the Common Application (source, first-year). |
| Transfer | Official transcripts from every college attended, even incomplete ones; a copy of a foreign diploma or leaving certificate can replace the final high school transcript (source). |
| Does it accept eVerbary? | Yes, for graduate admission: USC's Graduate Admission office accepts a translation issued by the school itself or by a professional, certified translator (transcript requirements), which a certified translation from eVerbary is. The undergraduate pages ask for a certified English translation and do not restrict who makes it (international applicants). Policy checked on October 12, 2026. |
Checked on October 12, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page. Policies change: confirm on USC's own page before you submit.
Graduate admission: a mirror of the original, and no evaluation
USC's transcript requirements page is unusually precise about the translation. Where your country's rules call for original-language records, USC wants them accompanied by a separate, word-for-word English translation of all records, which must contain all the information on the original and mirror it as closely as possible. If your school issues a dual-language transcript, USC accepts that instead.
USC also refuses outside evaluations for admission: its graduate office says it does not accept credential evaluation reports from agencies such as WES or ECE for admission review (source). Admission is decided on the records issued by your school, read together with the translation. Paying for an evaluation does not replace either.
The country selector, and how records travel
Whether you need original-language records at all depends on USC's country requirements tool, an interactive selector with one entry per country; the same page says translations count as official only if issued by the institution of study or a professional translation service. Check your country there before ordering, because the answer changes what you send.
For submission, the central page gives three routes: scan official transcripts you already hold and upload them to Academic History; send official hard copies by mail or courier to the Office of Graduate Admission; or have a secure vendor send e-transcripts to etrans@usc.edu. Mailed and electronic records are accepted only after you have applied and received a 10-digit USC ID. Print-outs from a student portal are not accepted, some departments ask for transcripts to be sent to them, and materials become USC property (source).
Undergraduates: a certified translation, translator not named
First-year and transfer applicants follow USC's international students page: records not in English must also be submitted in the native language, accompanied by a certified English translation, and records are sent directly from the schools or testing agencies. The undergraduate pages do not say who may translate, whether you may translate yourself, or how the translation should travel with the record; ask the Office of Admission if your school cannot send it together with the transcript. Transfer applicants must list every college attended, and USC treats an omission as a possible academic integrity violation (source).
Where USC's pages differ
The central transcript requirements page presents scanning and uploading official transcripts as one of three equivalent submission options and does not say a later official copy is required. The Marshall Master of Business Taxation page describes two steps: upload an unofficial copy of your official transcripts, then submit official transcripts after you receive your USC ID. The translator wording also differs: "a professional, certified translator" on the transcript page and "a professional translation service" on the country requirements page, neither defining certification. We have not resolved these differences; follow your program's page and ask it if in doubt.
Documents applicants usually translate
- University transcripts and degree certificates for graduate programs
- Secondary school records and leaving certificate for first-year applicants
- External exam results sent by the testing agency, where they are not in English
- Transcripts from every college attended, for transfer applicants
- Bank statements for the financial statement, uploaded in the USC Applicant Portal
What an eVerbary translation includes
- A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
- Grades exactly as recorded, with the grading scale the document prints. We never convert marks to a US GPA.
- A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload.
- $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
Uploading the translation to USC
Graduate applicants upload scans of official transcripts, with the translation, in the Academic History section of the online application, or send official copies by mail, courier or e-transcript once they have a USC ID (source). Marshall MBT applicants upload an unofficial copy first and send official transcripts later (source).
Undergraduate applicants apply through the Common Application; records come directly from the schools, and financial documents go through the USC Applicant Portal (source).
What we do not do
eVerbary is a translation service, not a credential evaluation service: we do not issue evaluations, US equivalencies or GPA conversions, and we cannot send documents on behalf of the school that issued them. At USC there is no evaluation to order: the records issued by your school and the translation are what count, and the school, not eVerbary, issues and sends the official records.
How to order
- Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
- Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
- Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and upload it with the copy of the original wherever the institution asks for it.
Sources
University of Southern California's own pages, read on October 12, 2026. Enrollment figure: Open Doors 2025 (IIE), institutions hosting the most international students in 2024/25: number 5, with 17,884 students.
- Graduate Admission: transcript requirements (gradadm.usc.edu)
- Graduate Admission: country requirements
- Marshall School of Business: Master of Business Taxation admissions
- Undergraduate Admission: international students
- Undergraduate Admission: first-year students
- Undergraduate Admission: transfer students
Frequently asked questions
Can a professional translation agency translate my transcripts for a USC graduate program?
Yes. USC accepts translations issued by your school or by a professional, certified translator (source).
Can I send a WES evaluation instead of my transcripts to USC?
No. USC graduate admission does not accept credential evaluation reports from outside agencies such as WES or ECE for admission review (source).
What kind of translation does USC want?
A separate, word-for-word English translation of all records that contains all the information on the original and mirrors it as precisely as possible (source).
Is a bilingual transcript acceptable at USC?
Yes, for graduate admission USC accepts dual-language transcripts (source).
Can I upload my transcripts instead of mailing them?
Yes, if you hold official transcripts you may scan and upload them to Academic History; portal print-outs are not accepted, and some departments ask for transcripts directly (source).
Do undergraduate applicants to USC need translations?
Yes. Records not in English are submitted in the native language with a certified English translation, sent directly from the schools (source).
Will eVerbary convert my grades to a US GPA?
No. The translation reproduces the grades and the grading scale exactly as they appear. A GPA conversion is credential evaluation, which the institution or an evaluation agency does.
Translating documents for USC?
Upload a scan of your transcript or diploma and see the price and delivery time before you pay.