Planning for USC

<p>Hey, so I'll be entering as a freshman this fall from South-east Asia and it's a lot cheaper to book a two-way ticket. Thing is, I'm planning to fly back over the break in December, but I'm not sure when I should book the return flight back to my home country. I've gathered that classes start again on January 9th, but based on my sister's December break from NYU last year, this would give me less than 3 weeks to spend at home, which my dad thinks would not make much financial sense (them tickets ain't cheap =/). Is there any way for me to find out when my classes will end in December before I know even know what classes I'll be taking?</p>

<p>Also, I've posted in a different thread about my I-20 concerns, but I haven't gotten any responses yet and I'm getting anxious. Does anyone here know if they give you the I-20 automatically after enrollment or do you I have to make a formal request to receive the form?</p>

<p>And one more thing, I've signed my Scholarship Acknowledgement Form and am going to send it in soon, however, I'm not sure if it will reach the U.S. by May 1st and I was wondering if it is possible to send it online.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance! (:</p>

<p>Depending on your classes you may finish a day or two earlier, but all final exams conclude on the 14th of December. You would be safe in making travel arrangements for late that evening or the next day. [Schedule</a> of Classes: Fall 2011: Final Examinations Schedule](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/academics/classes/term_20113/finals.html]Schedule”>http://www.usc.edu/academics/classes/term_20113/finals.html)</p>

<p>You can FAX or email your scholarship acknowledgement form. </p>

<p>I am sorry, I have no info for you on the I-20. Here is some information from the website: [F-1</a> & J-1 Student Visas](<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/ois/intl-students/new-student/immigration-status.aspx]F-1”>http://sait.usc.edu/ois/intl-students/new-student/immigration-status.aspx) . Call or email the Office of International Students (see link for contact info) for more info.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I apologize for my ignorance. I’ve found the academic calendar at http:// academics.usc.edu/calendar/2011-2012.html. Now, my concern is whether I should be back by January 10th when classes start or January 6th for this Open Registration thing (would I be required to attend this?).</p>

<p>EDIT: I hadn’t read your post when I put this one up, but thanks! (:</p>

<p>You do not need to be on-campus for open registration. As a returning student, you will register for classes in November. In October, you should make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your Spring semester classes and the advisor will clear you for registration (note - you must meet with your advisor, or you won’t be able to register in November and WILL be bumped to January regisrtation). You then receive an online registration appointment for sometime in November. When your registration time arrives your register on-line - you do not have to attend an actual appointment.</p>

<p>My long, complicated answer above adds up to: No, you don’t need to be back at USC for open registartion :)</p>

<p>I’ve sent them emails about the I-20 and the scholarship acknowledgement form just to be sure (: To be clear, by email, you mean for me to submit the acknowledgement through my applicant portal, right? There’s no specific one for the acknowledgement form so I hope “Unknown or Unlisted type of Financial Aid Document” will do the trick. Thanks for all your help, alamemom! (:</p>