Overview

We strongly encourage you to begin your academic career by attending Orientation. Attending Orientation is the best way to acclimate to life at USC, become familiar with the campus, learn about student life and register for your first semester of course work. In addition, you will receive academic advisement, and meet current faculty, staff, and students.

Some of the activities that take place at Orientation include:

• Opportunities to meet faculty and experience college-level discussions
• Introductions to our wide-ranging USC arts and cultural events
• Discussions with current students about various involvement opportunities on campus
• A chance to speak with representatives from USC Housing, USC Hospitality and USC Transportation
• Group academic advisement and registration for classes
• A spirit rally hosted by the Spirit of Troy Marching Band
• A campus tour, including the option of seeing sample residence hall rooms

You will register for your first-semester classes during your orientation session. The program streamlines the registration process by providing academic advisement and assistance with course selection. At the end of the orientation session, you will be able to print out your first-semester schedule of classes.

If extenuating circumstances prevent you from attending an orientation session, you may request a materials packet. Click here to learn how to arrange for materials to be sent.

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Dates and Deadlines

We recommend you register for your orientation session as soon as possible as many sessions fill before the stated deadline. We strongly encourage online reservations. If you are unable to use the online reservation system, please contact Orientation Programs at 213.740.7767.

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Session Availability

Sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Many orientation sessions fill prior to the stated registration and refund deadline. When making the online reservation, you will be prompted to choose a session. Sessions that are no longer available are no longer listed. In order to provide a personalized experience for all students, we are not able to accept reservations after the session has filled. Once a session is filled, Orientation Programs maintains a waiting list. To be placed on the waiting list, please send an e-mail to orient@usc.edu with your name, your student ID number, guest names, requested session, and e-mail address. If there is a cancellation you will be contacted no less than two weeks prior to the session.

If you register online, you will receive immediate confirmation of your reservation request. Please review your confirmation letter for accuracy. If you register in person, by phone or through mail, you may print out your online confirmation letter within three weeks of the request.

Note:  Do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements before receiving a session confirmation. Preexisting travel arrangements are not considered grounds for an exception to the reservation policies.

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Overnight Accommodations

Students
Overnight housing for student participants during the summer two-day freshman sessions is included in the cost of attendance. You should plan on staying in a campus residence hall with an assigned roommate for the duration of the program.

Parents and Guests
Parents and guests may choose to stay with orientation at the Radisson Hotel (dormitory style) or choose to make alternate arrangements at a local hotel.   The Radisson Hotel has two types of rooms available: a traditional hotel room and a traditional dormitory style room.  Parents and guests choosing to stay with Orientation will stay in a traditional dormitory style room.  These rooms include a twin bed, dresser, and desk per guest.  In addition, all rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom.  No other amenities are provided.  Parents & guests may choose single or double occupancy.  Guests choosing double occupancy will be paired with another member of your party or guest attending the program.

Overnight housing accommodations in the residence hall portion of the Radisson Hotel are $240 per person for double/shared occupancy and $260 per person for single occupancy. This includes the cost of the session.

Bed linens will be provided, but students and parents should bring their own toiletry items and an alarm clock. Parents and students will be housed in separate residence halls during Orientation, so please pack separate suitcases.

Note:  The Radisson Hotel has two types of rooms available.  Parents wishing to stay in a regular hotel room must contact the Radisson Hotel directly at 213.748.4141.  Parents wishing to stay in the discounted residence hall room (no amenities) at the Radisson Hotel may submit their request through the Orientation reservation process.  Room switching during an Orientation program will not result in a refund.

Space in university housing for parents and family members is limited to 100 rooms per session. If there is no on-campus space remaining, parents and guests will need to make alternate arrangements. For a list of local hotels, click here.

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Early Arrival and Late Departure

Early Arrival
Early Arrival accommodations are available for students and family members who wish to arrive the night before an on-campus summer freshman session.  Please check the “Early Arrival” box on your reservation form and state the number of people who will need rooms (both student and guests).

The additional cost for Early Arrival accommodations are:

• Student = $50
• Parent/Guest (double occupancy) = $80 per person
• Parent/Guest (single occupancy) = $100 per person

Participants in the two-day freshman programs who select “Early Arrival,” may check in for the session and housing from 4 – 10 p.m. the day before the program at the New Residential College lobby. Orientation Advisors will coordinate informal opportunities for games and icebreakers so students and parents may meet each other. In addition, an optional bus tour of Los Angeles is available for $15 per person and a dinner option is available for $10 per person for students and guests participating in early arrival.

Late Departure
Students and guests who require overnight accommodations after the orientation session can make on-campus arrangements directly with Trojan Conference Housing by calling 213.740.1492.

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What to Wear

Casual attire is appropriate for Orientation. The weather in Los Angeles is generally warm during the day, but early mornings and evenings can be cool so we suggest bringing light clothing and a jacket. We also recommend bringing comfortable shoes since the program involves a lot of walking. Students should also bring a backpack or bag to carry materials.

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Parking

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Making a Reservation

To make a reservation for an orientation session, click here.

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