TROJAN TRANSFER INFORMATION SESSIONS AND ADMISSION EXPECTATIONS
1. Overview of the Trojan Transfer Information Session
Attend a Trojan Transfer Information Session in June to learn how to be admitted to USC as a transfer student. During this information session, we will review the application timeline, expectations of the admission committee, course requirements, pre-requisites for your major, and teach you how to use USC resources to identify courses that satisfy those requirements.
It will take hard work, and it may go faster than you think. Later this month we will offer admission to students who faced the same challenge one year ago. We want this to work, and our expectations are high. We wish you the best!
2. Academic Expectations
There are no guarantees of admission in USC’s transfer process, but students who successfully complete all the following steps will be among the many competitive applicants for admission next year:
A. Earn nearly all A’s elsewhere in a full schedule of 30-32 USC-transferable semester units (45-48 quarter units) during the upcoming academic year (i.e., not including courses you have already completed). The average college GPA of admitted USC transfer students is 3.7, which is an A- average.
B. Complete one full year of English composition which includes a course equivalent to USC’s Lower Division Writing requirement.
C. Complete courses that satisfy USC General Education requirements, foreign language (if needed for your intended major), and lower division courses required and/or recommended for your intended major.
D. Complete Intermediate Algebra (if you did not complete Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II with a grade of C or better in high school), and, if applicable, make progress toward the math required for your intended major.
During the information session, we will help you understand how to formulate a course plan to meet these criteria, with your intended major in mind. Until then, please review the planning resources at admission.usc.edu/transfer to learn the essential elements of transferring to USC.
3. Where to attend next year
Before you register for a Trojan Transfer Information Session, choose the college or university you will attend. No institution provides a guaranteed path to USC. To find the most robust offerings of USC-transferable coursework, we recommend these options:
A. Community College
Each year, most of USC’s 1,300 transfer students come from a community college. We recommend this option because community colleges offer the courses and programming to help you meet the expectations outlined in item 2, above. We recommend you look into registering at a community college now, even if you are unsure you will attend, to better facilitate your course registration in case you do.
B. Study in Europe
Five universities in Europe have agreed to enroll students who hope to transfer to USC. These institutions are U.S. accredited, and the language of instruction is English. These programs will allow you to enroll in a competitive course plan due to a robust offering of USC transferable coursework. Please note, these schools are not strong options for certain majors (see more, below).
Here are links with more information about these programs, including simple application forms that will expedite consideration. Apply soon to give yourself plenty of time to consider your options.
American University of Paris
Anglo American University, in Prague, Czech Republic
Franklin University of Switzerland
John Cabot University in Rome, Italy
Richmond, the American International University in London
More on Europe:
Studying abroad is not for everyone. We have found that students who earned an un-weighted GPA below 3.0 during high school often struggle to meet our academic expectations while studying abroad. Living overseas can also present a culture shock – students should consider the challenges of living in a foreign country, where customs and language can be very different. Also, these institutions do not offer many lab-science courses, so students pursuing engineering or natural science majors are not likely to make progress towards their intended degrees. There are many exciting reasons to study abroad, but please be sure you consider these caveats carefully.
C. What about other four-year colleges or universities?
We do not recommend this option for a few reasons. First and foremost, we are unlikely to be able to help you find courses that will satisfy USC admission expectations. Also, your success in higher education depends on your level of engagement; if you enter with the intent of leaving, you will be less likely to be successful. You may even put yourself in a position of making a promise you intend to break.
4. Sign up for an information session
After May 1, when you have decided where you will enroll next year, you may sign up for an information session at admission.usc.edu/status. Sessions will be held in June, virtually.
5. Questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you might have. Find your USC admission counselor by visiting admission.usc.edu/find-your-counselor.
