Does USC Take Community College Transfer Students?

I'm currently at a community college and considering transferring to USC. Does USC have a policy for accepting transfer students from community colleges, and if so, what should I expect in terms of application requirements?

Yes, the University of Southern California (USC) does accept transfer students from community colleges and it actually has a reputation for being transfer-friendly. When considering transfer students, USC specifically looks for students who have performed well in their college courses, especially ones related to their intended major, demonstrating that they're ready for the rigor of USC's academic programs.

To be eligible for transfer to USC, you need to be in good standing at all the colleges or universities you've attended and be eligible to return. The university has typical transfer GPA of 3.73-4.00.

In terms of coursework, USC prefers transfer candidates who are "general education (GE)-certified." That means you should aim to complete, before you transfer, the majority of USC's GE requirements which consist of several categories including humanistic inquiry, social analysis, quantitative reasoning, and more.

Like all universities, USC looks for successful completion of required coursework in your intended major. You can use the USC Articulation Agreements and the pre-approved course list to determine which of your community college credits will transfer over to USC.

USC also requires transfer applicants to submit a transfer application (via either the Common Application or the Coalition Application), college and high school transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

Lastly, I recommend reaching out to USC's transfer admission office for specific guidance, as they can provide valuable insight into the transfer process.