Transfer credits from Santa Monica College to USC

I need some insight on transferring credits from Santa Monica College to USC. How smooth is this process, and are there any specific courses that have issues with credit transfer?

The transfer credit process from Santa Monica College (SMC) to the University of Southern California (USC) is generally quite smooth, as these institutions are located in the same state and have a history of transfer students transitioning between them. As a starting point, keep in mind that USC typically accepts college-level courses from regionally accredited institutions, and SMC falls into this category.

USC has a Transfer Planning Guide, which encompasses a list of courses that already have articulated agreements between the two schools, meaning these courses will definitely transfer. If the course you've taken at SMC is on this list, you can feel confident that it will be accepted for credit at USC.

For classes at SMC not listed on USC's transfer guide, it doesn't necessarily mean the credits won't transfer. You may need to submit a course syllabus to the USC admissions or a relevant academic department for review. The determination of how these unlisted courses transfer (elective credit, general education, course equivalent, etc.) is made by USC.

Remember that even if a course transfers, it might not count toward specific major requirements; sometimes courses only transfer as general education or elective credit. Also, grades do not usually transfer - only the credit hours - so your GPA will start fresh at USC.

Lastly, get in touch with the USC admissions office or the transfer adviser at SMC for more detailed information on transferring credits. They can provide advice based on experience with past students, and may be able to shed light on any specific courses known to have issues transferring.