New Admits, Ask Me Your Questions!

<p>As camomof3 says, D-clearance can be for many reasons.</p>

<p>For SCA courses, there are a few courses that are restricted ONLY to students within that major, and non-SCA students without that specific major will not be able to get clearance. In nearly all cases, there is a similar course that is available to non-SCA students - there is extraordinary access to SCA for non-SCA majors at USC. (For example, only SCA Screenwriting majors may take CTWR 106a: Screenwriting Fundamentals, but non-SCA majors may take CTWR 412: Introduction to Screenwriting.)</p>

<p>In most cases, they are simply reserving the course to be sure all SCA majors who need/want the course are able to register (regardless of their registration appointment time) before non SCA majors are allowed access (some of the SCA courses are VERY popular). Once SCA majors have had ample opportunity to register, all except the restricted courses are open to non-SCA students - those who have obtained D-clearance will be able to place themselves on the waiting list prior to the course opening (assuming you have satisfied all prereqs - some courses have a two or three-course prereq pattern).</p>

<p>Non SCA majors who wish to take SCA courses in the future should sign up for CTCS 190 as soon as their registration priority allows - that is the gateway course to SCA courses. You won’t get your SCA D-clearance without it! (And D-clearance is not required for CTCS 190 or CTCS 191.)</p>

<p>Thank you. That helps a lot! :)</p>

<p>A&L, for strictly controlled Schools/majors, most upper division classes req a D-clearance (a special permit to register issued by one’s department advisor) in order for the computer registration system to lock out non-majors. This means there is a spot for everyone who needs a class for their major and lets in, by permission, others if there is space available. For SCA, my sons were issued D-clearance for most of their courses. GEs are not so barred, but TO classes are, etc. It’s just a way to manage UG registration.</p>

<p>I’m not sure of the number of spots that open up in SCA for transfers, but those who care to transfer internally (already USC students) must take specified course(s), and complete an application and supplement that is equivalent to those submitted by incoming freshmen. Critical Studies is one major which may have a number of openings at junior year. However the smaller, more competitive entry majors like IMD or Production, may not have many. USC students compete with outside transfer applicants and the few I know of either minored in SCA, got exceptional grades, and made contacts with profs or similar. It is possible, but considered a very difficult path and, while a few make it, it is not commonplace.</p>

<p>Makes perfect sense. I’d heard of some students hoping to use the internal transfer strategy as a backdoor way of getting into SCA and wondered if that was risky. </p>

<p>D is enrolling as a CS frosh, so we don’t have that hurdle, but has strong interest in some of the other technical and business aspects of the producing and browsing through the catalog was reaffirming. Kind of makes me wish I was starting over - the options students have now are so amazing. This gives us something to discuss during the campus visit and I suspect she’ll spend time with the department when she’s at orientation mapping out her courses this summer. I’m trying not to be a “helicopter” mom and am letting her feel her way through this. She’s still in shock about the acceptance, but mourning because she’s meeting new admits still struggling with the latest FA news. So thanks for letting me ask questions on this forum. And for all the great and consistent advice you’ve been giving on various threads - especially that she shouldn’t wait for the FA letter or May 1 to pay the dorm deposit. That was a gem of a tip. So appreciate it and hope to contribute in future years once I get my feet wet as a newly minted Trojan parent.</p>

<p>Does USC accepted student diagnosed with dyslexia? I have a friend that wants to go there but he doesnt have a good GPA. But, he has worked with a couple of film production crew and along side with some one the most famous movie director? One of them donated a lot to USC. Thanks.</p>

<p>joebsk: USC accepts people not only based on grades, but also based on other factors. Your friend should absolutely apply; if he wants to go to SC, he has to apply or he has no shot at getting in! :)</p>

<p>I don’t have to order an AP score report if I don’t plan on using the credit, right? Even if I listed AP scores on my Commonapp?</p>

<p>

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<p>Submit your scores anyway if you have any 4s or 5s, even if you don’t get out of any requirements, you will receive elective credit (resulting in more total units completed) which will give you an earlier registration time throughout your time at USC. Otherwise, you don’t have to if you don’t the credit.</p>

<p>This is a real picayune question. I am setting up airplane reservations for the upcoming school year. For fall, arriving 8-21, move in day. So far so good. For christmas, returning day after finals.</p>

<p>I am wondering about Spring Term, 2014. The official first day is Monday 1/13. When do most freshmen arrive? I assume the dorm is open at all times. There is something in calendar about registration 1/9-1/10. Is this important? I was assuming not.</p>

<p>Thanks, just looking for a practical tip. Do people arrive as early as Friday and use the weekend to get re-aquainted?</p>

<p>For spring semester, there is no reason to return earlier than necessary unless you need the time to get acclimated again cause of long travel, just want the down time, etc. Some sport participants are there early, but a lot of people skate in the night before classes start. It’s really up to you. I don’t know when dorms open again for everyone, I have an athlete and they get special exemptions for things like that. You could call housing and ask.</p>

<p>Most people will come back Saturday/Sunday, however the dorms do close (apartments do not) so you will have to see when they reopen if you plan on coming earlier. No, that registration period is irrelevant, you will register in November for the Spring semester.</p>

<p>Question about Summer Orientation >

  1. S registered orientation, was expecting to pay for it however there was no payment prompt in the registration procedure?
  2. Since we are in Southern Cal and went with S to Explore USC whole day event. Any advice on : Shall we just drop S off and pick him up next day or stay for two days with him?</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.facebook.com/ThingsUscStudentsDontSay[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/ThingsUscStudentsDontSay&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“https://www.facebook.com/ThingsUscStudentsDontSay[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/ThingsUscStudentsDontSay&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>@hello-- I went with my D to her orientation and there were many separate events for parents that were interesting and useful-- especially since she was our first going off to college. However, I wouldn’t consider it necessary and it was rather expensive to attend with her. You can definitely drop your child off and pick up if you want-- I’d guess about half are with parents, half without.</p>

<p>hellowworld,

</p>

<p>The only immediate payment during sign up is for family members. I’d also say that many students from SoCal go alone whereas more OOS students bring their parents however there is always a mix of everyone.</p>

<p>Hey, I need some freshman housing help</p>

<p>I chose the apartments because I really like to cook. I like to maintain a balance between social life and studying. I love partying and getting good grades.</p>

<p>I am choosing between Webb Tower and Parkside Apartments now, which one is better? </p>

<p>I like the AC and facilities at Webb, but I heard Parksides were recently renovated.</p>

<p>There are a few low AP scores that I didn’t report on the commonapp. Will I get rescinded if I don’t withhold them?</p>

<p>@mydivision-define low…if its 3-5 report them to get your credit. If they’re lower, not worth the trouble.</p>

<p>@bluhblah, im not 100% sure, but its probably better safe than sorry and have the counselor send it</p>

<p>^They changed it to 4-5 a few years ago. Agree, there is no danger of being rescinded for your AP scores, whether you reported them on your application or not. You can confidently send 'em all and you will get credit for the 4s and 5s while anything lower will just be ignored.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexams.html[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexams.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;