The University of Southern California (USC) has unveiled an “early action” admissions option for most applicants. You can read about it here: Dates and Deadlines | USC Undergraduate Admission.
(This option is not available for students applying to majors requiring a portfolio or audition. Separate deadlines apply for those applications.)
The early action deadline is November 1, a month earlier than the previous “regular decision” deadline. The regular decision deadline is now January 15.
Important: students seeking merit scholarships for programs not requiring an audition or portfolio must apply “early action” and meet the November 1 deadline.
Plan accordingly.