USC Admissions Workshop. Information, Tips, & Strategies for Successful Transfer

Transcription

1 USC Admissions Workshop Information, Tips, & Strategies for Successful Transfer

2 Workshop Topics Definition of Transfer Student Number of students admitted Ideal Student GPA & Units Core Requirements General Education Pattern Additional Course Requirements for Specific USC Majors Transfer Planning Worksheet Things to Know About USC s Evaluation Policies Fall 2009 Dates and Deadlines Majors that Require Supplemental Materials Part I Application Getting to Know USC Transfer Center Drop-In Advising

3 Definition of Transfer Student USC defines a transfer student as anyone currently enrolled in college or anyone who has attended college since finishing high school.

4 Admits to USC Fall 2003 Fall 2008 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Applications Total Transfer *** *** *** *** 8,360 8,400 SBCC Admits Total Transfer *** *** *** *** 1,960 2,400 SBCC Enrolled Total Transfer *** *** *** *** 1,133 1,500 SBCC Fall 2007 Admit Rate All transfers = 23% SBCC = 24% Fall 2008 Admit Rate All transfers = 29% SBCC = 37%

5 Ideal Student The Ideal Student will: Have completed 12 or more units (4 courses) each semester prior to transfer USC students are required to study full-time so Admissions looks for students who very closely mirror that at the community college). Have completed 2 English Composition courses and Intermediate Algebra (high school OK) prior to transfer. Have minimal Withdraws (W s) from courses. One W is O.K. on the academic record, two maybe, three - will lessen student s chance to be admitted. For example, a student with a 4.00 GPA with lot s of W s or enrolled in only two courses a semester will probably be denied. Have an A-/B+ GPA on all USC transferable courses with a preponderance of A s. Students should concentrate on USC-transferable courses that build on their high school record, satisfy general education and other requirements, and include preparation for the major. Seventy-five percent of the transferable courses should cover these areas. Have selected a major before transferring and taken prep for major courses if available. Some majors have additional requirements.

6 GPA No minimum GPA for admission - but USC looks for students with strong academic performance. Considers trends in students grades and college attendance patterns. Consistent degree progress and strong recent performance are important. Average GPA of admitted transfer students: Fall 2007 = 3.63 Fall 2008 = 3.65

7 Determining Your Transfer and USC GPA For the admission decision, all grades in USC transferable courses (including grades of "D+" and below) are calculated into the grade point average (GPA). USC takes into account plus/minus grading. Marks of credit/no credit, pass/no pass, withdraw, incomplete, no record, missing grade, and passing course in progress do not affect a student's GPA. If you repeat a transferable course, each grade earned in that course will be used to calculate the transfer GPA for admission. USC does not honor academic renewal or academic forgiveness programs that allow students to improve recorded substandard academic performance.

8 Units 30 transferable or more: Units Admission based on community college performance. Students do not have to meet high school admissions requirements = 30 semester units. No SAT or ACT score is required Fewer than 30 units completed prior to transfer: USC will focus primarily on their high school record and results from the SAT or ACT to make the admission decision. 64 semester units maximum from other institutions count towards the USC degree Units & Majors Journalism and Public Relations majors will not admit students who have completed more than 40 transferable units Communication Major will not admit students with more than 64 units Production Major in the School of Cinematic Arts require students to have a minimum of 48 transferable units for admission Average number of units of admitted students: Fall 2007 = 51 Fall 2008 = 52

9 Core Requirements Four Areas = Writing, Mathematics, Foreign Language, and Diversity. Refer to USC/SBCC Articulation Agreement for approved courses Available available at Writing - Two English composition courses must be completed prior to transfer English 110 or 110HR, and English 111, or 111HR, or 111GB, or 111HG, or English 115, or 115HR; or Philosophy 111 Mathematics Completion of Algebra I, Geometry & Algebra II with a C- in high school satisfies the requirement. If Math requirement is not met in high school, Intermediate Algebra with a C- in college is O.K. (units don t transfer) Completion of the Math Core is required for admission. Some majors require additional Math courses (i.e. Engineering, Business)

10 Core Requirements Foreign Language Most majors require 3 semesters of foreign language. International students whose native language is not English are exempt from the Foreign Language requirement. Majors in the Annenberg School of Communication require students to complete one semester of college foreign language course work before transferring unless the student is fluent in a second language. If Foreign Language Requirement is not completed prior to transfer, students will be required to take a placement exam. An appropriate score on the exam will fulfill the requirement. Diversity requirement One course required

11 General Education Requirements Refer to USC/SBCC Articulation Agreement for approved courses Available at Same General Education pattern for all USC majors. Two areas must be done at USC (Category IV & VI). Completion of General Education pattern is not required for admission.

12 Additional Course Requirements for Specific USC Majors Additional Course Requirements for Specific USC Majors Students that want to be more competitive for admissions should consider completing the suggested courses for their major prior to transferring. Courses for the majors can be found at: ditional_course_recommendations.pdf Part II of the USC/SBCC Articulation Agreement lists SBCC- USC course equivalencies. Located at

13 Transfer Planning Worksheet

14 Things to Know About USC s Evaluation Policies All students must provide a high school transcript although not used for admission decision if 30 semester units are completed. USC determines class level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) by the actual graduation requirements students have completed not by the number of units they have accumulated. Since most courses for the major are only available at USC, it is usually best to transfer with fewer units. Repeating a transferable course: each grade earned in that course will be used to calculate the transfer GPA for admission.

15 Things to Know About USC s Evaluation Policies Advanced Placement (A.P.) and International Baccalaureate (I.B.) credits: A maximum of 32 units is granted under either the A.P. or the I.B. program, or in combination. College courses taken prior to leaving high school: Students can receive a maximum of 16 elective units for college courses taken before leaving high school. College courses taken before high school graduation are included in the 32-unit combined maximum for A.P. or I.B. exams and college courses taken before high school graduation. Transfer unit limits: Up to four units each of English as a Second Language, physical education activity courses, and music ensemble courses; up to eight units of dance; and a maximum of 12 units each of music lessons and physical education theory. There are also limits on the number of courses we accept from subcategories of studio or performing arts.

16 Things to Know About USC s Evaluation Policies Prefers not to see courses taken Credit/Not Credit. Courses and Units that May Transfer, to be Determined on a Case-by- Case Basis Nontraditional formats or time frames: This includes distance learning, online, and weekend/intensive sessions. Nontraditional courses at four-year colleges: Independent study, directed study, internships, and extension courses (only if the college where they were taken accepts them toward the baccalaureate degree). Military: Courses completed through the armed services. Courses and Units that Will Not Transfer Grades: Courses graded with less than a "C-" (these will still affect your transfer GPA). Same material: Credit may not be earned for an A.P. exam and an I.B. exam (or a college course) covering the same material. Nontraditional course work at two-year colleges: Independent study, directed study, correspondence courses, internships, or travel courses.

17 Fall 2009 Dates and Deadlines October 15, 2008 Part I Application Deadline (USC's Part I application is optional) February 2, 2009 Transfer Application Deadline for Scholarship and Regular Consideration Note: Some Majors have Different Deadlines See Next Slide dditional_req.html

18 Supplemental Applications & Materials Deadlines School of Architecture February 2, 2009: Portfolio Submission Deadline Marshall School of Business March 1, 2009: Online Supplemental Application Deadline

19 Supplemental Applications & Materials Deadlines School of Cinematic Arts Critical Studies Major February 1, 2009 deadline for USC Admissions Application, School of Cinematic Arts Supplemental Application, and Supplemental Materials Film & Television Production Major - February 1, 2009 deadline for USC Admissions Application, School of Cinematic Arts Supplemental Application, and Supplemental Materials Writing for Screen and Television Major December 1, 2008 deadline for USC Admissions Application, School of Cinematic Arts Supplemental Application, and Supplemental Materials Animation and Digital Arts Major- February 1, 2009 deadline for USC Admissions Application, School of Cinematic Arts Supplemental Application, and Supplemental Materials Interactive Media Major - February 1, 2009 deadline for USC Admissions Application, School of Cinematic Arts Supplemental Application, and Supplemental Materials

20 Supplemental Applications & Materials Deadlines Annenberg School for Communication February 2, 2009 no supplemental application Dental Hygiene February 2, Viterbi School of Engineering February 2, 2009 No supplemental application Roski School of Fine Arts Supplemental application and Portfolio required February 2, Davis School of Gerentology February 2, No supplemental application Thornton School of Music December 1, 2008 (not a postmark date, applications and materials must be on site by deadline) Supplemental materials/audition required Public Policy, Management, and Planning February 2, School of Theater December 1, 2008 Supplemental application/materials/audition required

21 Part I Application Step 1 Complete the Part I Application for Undergraduate Admission. Download the form (PDF) at 9_PartI_Application.pdf Return the Part I to USC, along with a check for the non-refundable $10 fee, by October 15, Please make the check payable to the University of Southern California. The Part I Application is optional. USC offers it as a way for interested students to begin their admission files early. Submitting a Part I application by the deadline will also earn the student a $15 discount on the Part II Application fee. If you choose not to submit the Part I, or miss the deadline, you should begin the USC application process with Part II. Be assured that the Part I is optional and the lack of a Part I will in no way affect your admission.

22 Getting to Know USC. USC Transfer Days Transfer Days are open to all students interested in transferring to USC. This comprehensive half day program Consists of presentations about admission, financial aid, transfer credit and academic programs at USC. The program generally starts at 9am and concludes shortly after 12pm. Reservations are required. Transfer Day Dates: Friday, October 24, 2008 Friday, November 14, 2008 Friday, January 16, 2009 To make a reservation for one of our Transfer Day Program, register online at Transfer Information Sessions One hour programs given by USC admission counselors and offer an overview of the transfer application process, financial aid and USC s transfer credit policy. These programs are open to all students interested in transferring and generally are held on most Tuesdays at 3pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, register online at

23 Getting to Know USC Discover USC - Fall Open House The Discover USC program will take place on USC s campus on Sunday, November 23, This full day program will provide you and your family with an opportunity to meet staff from the Offices of Admission, Financial Aid, and academic departments, in addition to current USC students and alumni. Register to attend at

24 Transfer Center Drop-In Advising Transfer Center Advisors are available to answer questions about the transfer process and: Teach you how to navigate university websites to find transfer admission information and requirements, admission application and scholarship/financial aid deadlines, cost Review UC and CSU minimum eligibility requirements and selection criteria (impacted campuses/majors) with you Inform you about other Transfer Center services/resources/programs available such as university rep visits, Transfer Center Workshops, Transfer Academy, and TAP Review printed transfer information with you, such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Transfer Selection Guides and available articulation agreements with private universities Train you how to use Assist to explore majors and research UC & CSU lower-division courses for the major Train you to use DARS to check your progress on IGETC or CSU GE Assist you with completing university admissions applications and required forms Acquaint you with web-based transfer resources And lots more. Drop-In Advising available at transfer Center, SS140: Now thru October 31st November 3rd-December 19th Monday: 10:00am 1pm & 3-5pm Monday: 10:00am 1pm & 3-5pm Tuesday: 10:00am 1pm & 3-5pm Tuesday: 10:00am 1pm & 3-5pm Wednesday:10:00am 1pm & 3-5pm Wednesday:10:00am 5pm Thursday: 10:00am 1pm & 2-4pm Thursday: 8:30am 4pm Friday: 8:30am-12pm