SCampus Student Guidebook

Getting Started

Orientation Programs

(213) 740-7767
Topping Student Center
Email: orient@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/orientation

Orientation Programs promotes the smooth transition and positive adjustment of students into the USC community. The office coordinates programs and produces publications to help familiarize incoming students and their families with the academic opportunities, university policies, student involvement resources and campus services which are available to them. In addition to freshman and transfer orientation during the summer, various programs are available including:

Move-in Day

Move-In Day, held the Wednesday before the first day of classes, is the time when most students move into their residence halls or apartments. The university provides services and assistance in answering questions to make the move-in process a smooth and comfortable one.

Welcome Week

Beginning on Move-In Day, a series of welcoming activities provides you with a chance to explore the academic, social and cultural communities that you will be a part of while at USC. Programs such as the New Student Convocation, Micro-Seminars, welcome barbecue, spirit rally, and social and cultural events offer opportunities for you to get involved in campus life. The Involvement Fair concludes the welcoming activities. A publication outlining the series is mailed to new students in early August.

Graduate Orientation

A one-day graduate student orientation is offered in August for newly admitted graduate students. The graduate student orientation includes an overview of the graduate student experience and an introduction to the Graduate School, along with workshops and information on academic and student services, research, library and computer resources, health services, safety and involvement activities. Academic departments and schools may also offer their own orientation programs for incoming graduate students. Contact your academic department for more information.

Mid-Year Orientation

If you are a new student entering the university in the spring, you may attend a mid-year orientation session in December or January. This program includes academic advisement, student life discussions and presentations on student services. The two-day session includes placement testing for incoming freshmen. The one-day session is geared toward transfer students who do not require testing services.

Orientation Advisors

Each year orientation advisors are selected and trained to facilitate the transition of new students and their families to USC. The application process for on-campus orientation advisors begins in September, with the position starting in the spring semester.