How can I transfer from community college to USC?

I'm considering starting at a community college to save money and then transferring to USC. How does the transfer process work at USC? Are there specific credits or programs I should aim for?

USC warmly welcomes transfer students. To increase your chances of a successful application, you should take into account USC's specific transfer guidelines.

First, keep in mind that USC does not have guaranteed admission contracts with any community college. Admissions are competitive and you must complete a full application, including your college transcript, high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and essays.

In terms of specific course preparation, USC provides the Transfer Planning Guide, a tool that helps you select courses that satisfy USC General Education and major prerequisites. The tool can identify which credits from your community college will transfer.

USC requires at least 30 semester units of coursework that includes all of USC's lower-division general education requirements. You should try to complete as many general education requirements as possible before applying.

Completing major prerequisites, which are listed on the departmental web pages for each major at USC, is also helpful.

Lastly, be sure to utilize the USC Articulation Agreements, which provide comprehensive lists of classes at many colleges that are equivalent to USC's.

Remember that transferring is more than just meeting requirements—it’s also about showing that you can do well in an academic environment. Good luck!