Transferring to USC from UCSD

Hello I am currently starting out as a freshman this fall at UCSD. While I am thrilled to be attending UCSD, USC has always been my dream school and I am hoping to transfer there. I wanted to know what qualifications are needed to transfer to USC from a 4 year? Is it common to transfer after one year or do most transfers happen after 2 years? Also, should I contact a counselor at USC and get their advice/let them know I plan to transfer?

Please read through everything USC puts out on transferring - it is extensive. And read this current cycle transfer thread:

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/2003485-2018-2019-usc-transfer-p1.html

And here is the thread started for the upcoming transfer year:

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/2085731-2019-2020-usc-transfer.html#latest

Between all these, there is soooo much information out there!