SCampus Student Guidebook

Getting Started

Orientation Programs

Orientation Programs
(213) 740-7767
Hazel and Stanley Hall 100
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 in the fall and the Thursday before the first day of classes in the spring, 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.

Spring Welcome

Spring Welcome for new students admitted for the spring semester occurs the Friday and Saturday prior to the start of classes. Activities include an off-site retreat, leadership activities, icebreakers and workshops to help students better understand the university. The Involvement Fair concludes the welcoming activities during the first week of classes. The Spring Welcome schedule for new students is available online in early December.

International Student Orientation

All new international students are expected to attend International Student Orientation, held the week prior to the start of classes. International Student Orientation includes workshops on transitioning to USC and the United States, as well as information on academic and student services. Students will also complete required paperwork to register for classes, including passport and degree verification.

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 is geared for incoming freshmen and the one-day session is geared toward transfer students.

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.