Review the following checklist that details the actions you must take as described in the Orientation modules that you have reviewed.
JULY through AUGUST
- WELCOME TROJANS GRADUATE SUMMER ORIENTATION: Check your USC email inbox for an email from Office of Orientation Programs. This email will have a link to sign up for Graduate Summer Orientation, which is an online experience consisting of self-paced video modules and resources on the Trojan Engagement Center.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 10:00 AM (PDT)
- ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS ZOOM MEETING: Attend this mandatory, live Zoom meeting for all new Thornton graduate students. During this meeting, you will meet the Thornton Student Affairs team and learn about university-wide and Thornton policies and resources.
- Zoom link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/92355048800?pwd=KuXKeQItbbsuijXEaoGwHtlLjB7TbK.1
- Zoom ID: 923 5504 8800
- Zoom Passcode: 724954
- Recording: https://usc.zoom.us/rec/share/Z8MIBmCvsZu39zVGGO7Fv_P2SzhEL_zG9iJ3mAxFlIWeBOXmEQGq_XEldYKsXUY.Ncgf6u836njKwbE6?startTime=1785863047000
- Must log into Zoom with USC NetID and passphrase in order to view the recording
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- THORNTON NEW STUDENT CONVOCATION 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Newman Recital Hall. Dean’s Office will be sending an email with details about this event.
- THORNTON NEW STUDENT RECEPTION 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at Herklotz Courtyard (next to Newman Recital Hall). Refreshments will be provided.
BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN
- USC NETID: Complete first login to activate your USC NetID in order to access University resources, including Experience USC and myUSC, which are the central portals for many services you will access (e.g., Advise USC, Web Registration, ePay, Brightspace).
- E-MAIL: Moving forward, all official correspondence from your advisor and other University offices will be through your USC email account.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Complete Immigration Status Verification (ISV) online with the Office of International Services (OIS). Visit the OIS ISV website for more information. Students who do not complete the ISV process will have a registration hold (OIS50) that will prevent you from registering for classes. Upon registering for classes, all international students will be enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance plan.
- USC IDENTIFICATION CARD: Your USC Card provides access to facilities on campus as a student, as well as for other access purposes. Visit the USCard Services website for more information.
- PRACTICE ROOM AND FACILITY ACCESS: Scan the QR code below to register for services and access.
- AUDITIONS/ENSEMBLES: Your major department should be contacting you with details regarding performance ensembles that are required for your degree. For students with ensemble elective requirements, or if you would like more information, please refer to the contact information listed on the Ensemble Auditions page.
- FINANCIAL AID: Contact USC Financial Aid Office to address any pending need-based aid (e.g., loans) issues.
- ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT: Check your USC email for information from your academic advisor regarding academic advisement procedures before registering for courses. You should expect correspondence from them no later than July 24.
- REGISTRATION: Register for fall 2026 classes online following your advisement appointment. Save the email confirmation of your registration as a receipt.
- MGEEs: Review the MGEE website for the most updated information regarding the exam schedule and which exams you need to take before the start of classes.
BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
- PAYMENT: Settle your bill by 5:00 PM on Friday, August 21 to avoid late fees. Contact Student Financial Services (aka Cashier’s Office) for assistance with payment-related questions. If you’re not able to register for all of the courses you plan to take in the fall semester before August 21, then your advisor may guide you to register for temporary units (USC-100) to reach the intended total number of units for the semester. This will allow you to settle your bill based on the planned total number of units for fall 2026. However, you must remember to replace this temporary enrollment course with your actual courses by the add/drop deadline of September 11.
FIRST DAY OF FALL SEMESTER
BY MONDAY, AUGUST 24
- MANDATORY TRAINING: Complete all online prevention education modules for new incoming graduate students. The modules will be available on the Safety & Wellness section on your myUSC portal.
BY THIRD WEEK OF CLASSES
BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
- TUITION REFUND INSURANCE: Make a final decision about Tuition Refund Insurance. You can confirm your decision in Web Registration.
- REGISTRATION: Finalize your registration. Be sure to add any ensembles or other courses that you plan to complete in the fall semester. If you are registered for a temporary enrollment course (USC-100), you must replace this course with actual classes/ensembles. Save email confirmation of all registration changes as receipts.
- STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE: Waiver (or enrollment) deadline for the USC Student Health Insurance plan. Please review the steps applicable to you on the USC Student Health Insurance section of the Resources and Opportunities module.
- IMMUNIZATION RECORDS: Per USC Engemann Student Health Center policy, students must complete immunization requirements by the third week of your first semester. Upload and submit your immunization documents to the student health portal MySHR. If you do not complete the immunization and screening requirements by this deadline, it will result in a late processing fee and a registration hold for the next semester.
BEFORE THE END OF THE SEMESTER
- DEGREE VERIFICATION: Check Experience USC – My Academics page (scroll down to Permit to Register section) to see if you have a prior degree verification restriction hold. Follow the instructions on this page to verify your prior degree.
- MGEEs: Check the MGEE schedule if you need to retake any exams. The MGEEs are generally administered the week before classes begin each semester. Keep these dates in mind when making travel plans.
- REGISTRATION FOR SPRING: Academic advising for spring 2027 will take place in October. You should be registered for spring 2027 classes before the end of the fall semester. Be sure to check your USC email, as well as the Advising Process page on the Thornton Student Portal, for announcements regarding academic advising.
Once you have reviewed this content in this module, please return to the USC Thornton Graduate Orientation home page and review the next module.