Freshmen & First-Time Students

Take the first step toward your future. At USV, applying as a first-time student is simple, supportive, and designed to get you started without extra barriers.

How to Apply

How to Apply

No portfolios. No letters of recommendation. Just three straightforward steps:

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Fill Out the Application

Fill Out the Application

Submit your online application.

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Send Your Documents

Send Your Documents

Provide your official high school transcripts.

First-Time Students: high school transcripts.
Transfer Students: high school and college transcripts

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Speak with an Advisor

Speak with an Advisor

Connect with an admissions representative who will guide you through next steps.

Why Apply to USV?

At USV, you’ll join a community of creators, coders, and innovators taught by faculty with real industry experience. You’ll graduate with:

A professional portfolio that proves your skills
Industry connections built through collaboration
The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields
A professional portfolio that proves your skills
Industry connections built through collaboration
The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields
A professional portfolio that proves your skills
Industry connections built through collaboration
The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields
Two people in a computer lab engage in discussion, each wearing denim jackets with colorful designs, surrounded by laptops and electronic equipment.

The USV Difference

USV students take 3 courses per term instead of the traditional 4. That means:

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Deeper learning

You’ll dive deeper into each subject, with more time to absorb concepts, apply them in projects, and build lasting mastery that goes beyond memorization.

Higher Success

With improved retention and a healthier pace, students are more likely to graduate on time and enter the job market prepared with real skills and strong portfolios.

Better Balance

Fewer concurrent courses means less stress and more focus. You’ll have room to manage school, work, and life — without sacrificing academic performance.

Where Theory Meets Creation.

Students Don’t Just Learn — They Ship. Every project has stakes. Every creation has an audience. Every graduate leaves with a portfolio that proves they can build the future.

FOUR STUDIOS

USV Productions

Films, music, podcasts, immersive media.

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USV Labs

AI development, enterprise solutions, open source tools.

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USV Agency

Design, marketing, brand strategy for real companies.

USV Interactive

Games, VR, and interactive experiences built with integrity.

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All Integrated, Not Siloed

You’ll learn across disciplines — the way the best companies actually work.
By the end, you won’t just have skills. You’ll have a body of work.

You’ll learn across disciplines — the way the best companies actually work. By the end, you won’t just have skills. You’ll have a body of work.

Copyright © 2025 University of Silicon Valley | All Rights Reserved

University of Silicon Valley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001www.wscuc.org.  WSCUC is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Silicon Valley is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. University of Silicon Valley is a private institution and is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in the State of California. www.bppe.ca.gov.  Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any question a student may have that has not been satisfactorily answered by the University may be directed to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834 or PO Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818.  www.bppe.ca.gov(888) 370-7589 or (916) 431-6959. Fax: (916) 263-1897. University of Silicon Valley is approved/exempt for distance education in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MO, NV, NH, ND, NJ, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, and WA. For important regulatory information, please visit our Disclosures Page.

Copyright © 2025 University of Silicon Valley | All Rights Reserved

University of Silicon Valley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001www.wscuc.org.  WSCUC is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Silicon Valley is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. University of Silicon Valley is a private institution and is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in the State of California. www.bppe.ca.gov.  Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any question a student may have that has not been satisfactorily answered by the University may be directed to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834 or PO Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818.  www.bppe.ca.gov(888) 370-7589 or (916) 431-6959. Fax: (916) 263-1897. University of Silicon Valley is approved/exempt for distance education in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MO, NV, NH, ND, NJ, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, and WA. For important regulatory information, please visit our Disclosures Page.

Copyright © 2025 University of Silicon Valley | All Rights Reserved

University of Silicon Valley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001www.wscuc.org.  WSCUC is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Silicon Valley is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. University of Silicon Valley is a private institution and is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in the State of California. www.bppe.ca.gov.  Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any question a student may have that has not been satisfactorily answered by the University may be directed to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834 or PO Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818.  www.bppe.ca.gov(888) 370-7589 or (916) 431-6959. Fax: (916) 263-1897. University of Silicon Valley is approved/exempt for distance education in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MO, NV, NH, ND, NJ, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, and WA. For important regulatory information, please visit our Disclosures Page.

Copyright © 2025 University of Silicon Valley | All Rights Reserved

University of Silicon Valley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001www.wscuc.org.  WSCUC is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Silicon Valley is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. University of Silicon Valley is a private institution and is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in the State of California. www.bppe.ca.gov.  Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any question a student may have that has not been satisfactorily answered by the University may be directed to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834 or PO Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818.  www.bppe.ca.gov(888) 370-7589 or (916) 431-6959. Fax: (916) 263-1897. University of Silicon Valley is approved/exempt for distance education in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MO, NV, NH, ND, NJ, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, and WA. For important regulatory information, please visit our Disclosures Page.

Copyright © 2025 University of Silicon Valley | All Rights Reserved

University of Silicon Valley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001www.wscuc.org.  WSCUC is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. University of Silicon Valley is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. University of Silicon Valley is a private institution and is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) in the State of California. www.bppe.ca.gov.  Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any question a student may have that has not been satisfactorily answered by the University may be directed to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834 or PO Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA  95798-0818.  www.bppe.ca.gov(888) 370-7589 or (916) 431-6959. Fax: (916) 263-1897. University of Silicon Valley is approved/exempt for distance education in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MO, NV, NH, ND, NJ, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, and WA. For important regulatory information, please visit our Disclosures Page.