USC International Academy
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Steve and Eileen Hartelder take a selfie with their son and Freshman law student Garrett Hartelder during Trojan family weekend, Sept. 27, 2024.(USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Congratulations on your admission to USC International Academy! Please review the resources below to ensure your arrival is as smooth as possible.

Pre-Arrival Checklist

Sophomore and volunteer Rhondaya Fishburne helps move in a freshman to Parkside during Move-In day at USC in Los Angeles, CA. August 21st, 2019. Photo by David Sprague
    • Submit a complete application to USC International Academy. If you are admitted, you will need to declare your intent to enroll and pay the tuition deposit. You will receive a Form I-20 via email after confirming your admission.
    • Verify that all information in I-20 is correct; sign and date the first page.
    • Schedule a visa interview for a student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of permanent residence.
    • Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
    • Check your U.S. embassy website for more information on which documents to prepare for the visa interview.
    • Allow one to two weeks for processing after the visa interview.

  • USC International Academy will send you a Form I-20 (the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status) approximately seven to 10 business days after confirming your admission and receiving the tuition deposit.

    When you receive the Form I-20, please verify that the following information is correct:

    • Name
    • Birth date
    • Country of birth
    • Country of citizenship

    If you find a mistake, mark it and notify USC International Academy immediately as you will need the error corrected. We will correct the mistake and send the corrected I-20 to you.

    If the information is correct, please read the I-20, then sign and date it in the space that is provided on the first page.

  • Applicants for student visas should apply at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of permanent residence.

    For further information about how to apply for a visa, please check the website of your nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.

    Additional Resources

    • Pay the I-901 Fee. After scheduling your visa interview, you will need to pay the $350 I-901 Fee, also known as the SEVIS Fee. This can be done online at i901fee. You must print the I-901 Fee Confirmation (receipt) and bring it with you to the visa interview.
    • Please note you must have a copy of your I-20 before you can pay the SEVIS Fee, as the SEVIS number listed on the I-20 needs to be provided when making the payment.
    • Prepare required documentation. Each applicant for a student visa must bring the following to show the interviewer:
      • An application Form DS-160, completed and signed.
      • A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make an application.
      • One photograph measuring 5 cm x 5 cm (2 in. x 2 in.) for each applicant, showing the full face, without a head covering, against a light background.
      • Form I-20 provided by the USC International Academy.
      • Evidence of sufficient funds to cover all expenses, also known as financial documentation.
      • I-901 Fee Confirmation (receipt).

    Along with the documents above you may also be asked to provide:

    • Your reason for studying English as well as your study plans while in the U.S.
    • Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended (usually for the most recent three years).
    • Your resume/curriculum vitae.
    • Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution, such as the TOEFL/IELTS Academic/PTE Academic/Cambridge English, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
    • Financial evidence showing that you or your sponsor have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor are salaried employees, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

  • You will need to apply for an F-2 visa for any dependents who will stay in the U.S. with you. If any dependent plans to study full-time, they will also need to apply for an F-1 visa, as full-time study on an F-2 visa is not possible.

    When applying for an F-2 visa, the student should show:

    • Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g. marriage and birth certificates).
    • It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.

  • USC International Academy students with F-1 visas are permitted to work on campus part-time not more than 20 hours per week while enrolled in USC International Academy courses. Students also have the option to volunteer at various organizations around Los Angeles.

    For further inquiries, please contact the Immigration and Admissions Advisor at info-international@usc.edu.

  • USC requires all international students to receive:

    • Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
    • Tuberculosis screening blood test, either T-SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot) or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)
    • Two doses of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
    • Meningococcal: Menactra or Menveo. The most recent dose must be on or after your 16th birthday. This requirement is for students 21 and under.

    Find out more about health requirements on the USC Student Health website.

    To determine whether immunizations are required, the USC Health Center will schedule and administer a blood test after you arrive at the International Academy. If immunizations are required, they will be administered by the USC Health Center, which will also administer the tuberculosis screening. The USC International Academy and USC Health Center staff will help you fill out the necessary forms and create a personalized immunization schedule.

    If you have any immunization documents, please bring them with you as these may be accepted as proof of vaccination.

  • All USC students have access to the USC Student Health Center, with services covered by the mandatory university health fee. In addition, all students are required to maintain health insurance coverage.

    Students enrolled at USC International Academy are automatically enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

  • All USC students have access to the USC Student Health Center, with services covered by the mandatory university health fee. In addition, all students are required to maintain health insurance coverage.

    Students enrolled at USC International Academy are automatically enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

    SHIP is mandatory for students in the Intensive English Program. Students enrolled in the Pre-Master’s and Master’s Preparation Programs who have their own health insurance may apply for a waiver through the MySHR Patient Portal. To qualify for a waiver, the insurance plan must meet USC’s minimum coverage requirements, including access to healthcare providers and services in Southern California.

  • The health care system in the United States may be very different from the health care system in your home country. For example, in China, patients usually walk in whenever they need to see a doctor and all payments are made before they leave.

    Here are some general things to expect when visiting a doctor in the U.S.:

    1. You typically need to make an appointment to see a doctor in the U.S., unless you are visiting a walk-in urgent care clinic or an emergency room.

    2. You will usually need a referral to see a specialist, such as a dermatologist, allergist or physical therapist. This means you will need to ask your primary care doctor for a referral before you can see the specialist. You do not need a referral to see a gynecologist or mental health counselor.

    3. You may need to pay a small fee or copay at the time of your visit. If you are on the student health insurance plan and are confused about your bill, please contact the USC Student Health Insurance Office at studenthealth@usc.edu.

    To learn more, watch these helpful explainer videos from USC Student Health.

  • We recommend you arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from USC. The drive from LAX to USC takes around 20–40 minutes.

    Be sure to check with your airline for rules and regulations about baggage limits and fees. You may also want to check the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the latest travel information.

    Due to recent changes at LAX, taxi and rideshare (Uber, Lyft, Opoli) pick-ups must occur at the LAX-it area next to Terminal 1. To get there, ride the LAX-it shuttle outside the terminal to LAX-it to meet your taxi or rideshare driver.

  • USC has two main campuses: University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus. The International Academy and USC Housing are located on or near the University Park Campus.

    Ways to travel from LAX to the USC University Park Campus:

    • Taxi or Rideshare (e.g. Lyft, Uber). The approximate cost is $60-$70.
    • Commercial airport shuttles. Several companies offer airport transfers (e.g. SuperShuttle). The approximate cost for one passenger is $30-$50. For further assistance, inquire at the visitor information booths on the upper and lower levels of Bradley International Terminal. Many airport shuttles can be booked online in advance.
    • FlyAway Shuttle Service bus from LAX to Union Station. This costs $10-$12. From the Union Station Bus Plaza, transfer to the USC Intercampus Shuttle bus (free) to UPC (University Park Campus). The USC Intercampus Shuttle schedule can be found here. The shuttle will drop you off at Jefferson Boulevard and Hoover Street. From there, you will need to navigate to your housing.

  • On the first and second day of the program, we will provide an orientation to USC and the International Academy. The following topics will be covered:

    • Housing
    • Identification cards
    • Health insurance
    • Safety issues
    • Class schedule
    • Navigating campus

    Detailed information about the orientation will be provided to you via email.

  • All students are required to complete Passport Verification (PPV) with USC International Academy to ensure that you are eligible to start an academic program at USC.

    To complete this procedure, please take photos or scans of the following items after entering the U.S. By the end of the first day of orientation, send them to the email address that will be provided to you in pre-orientation emails.

    • The data page of your passport
    • U.S. visa
    • Front page of your signed and dated USC I-20
    • I-94 Form (Open and fill out after you enter the United States; print or take a screenshot once you have completed the form)

  • On the program start date during orientation, you will be given an English placement exam — consisting of a timed, written essay and an oral exam — to determine your placement in the program. However, Pre-Master’s and Master’s Preparation Program students can gain an exemption from the English placement exam by submitting an official TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or Cambridge English Test Score Report by the application deadline.

    Students will learn their level placement and class schedule before the first day of class.

  • You can exchange your money at the Los Angeles International Airport in the Bradley International Terminal. After leaving the airport, you can exchange your money at a bank. We advise that you bring $500–$1,000 in cash, in $20 bills or smaller, with you from your home country.

    It is not a good idea to carry large amounts of cash. Please do not bring cash to pay for your program fee or housing. Instead of cash, bring travelers checks and/or a payment card, such as a Visa or MasterCard, etc.

  • There are many banks with branches near the USC campus to choose between, including the USC Credit Union, Chase Bank and Bank of America.

    To open a bank account, you will need:

    • Your passport
    • Documents that prove you are currently enrolled (for example, I-20, Student ID, registration fee payment receipt, or admission letter)
    • Money to meet the bank’s minimum required amount to open a bank account

  • ATM cards are common in the U.S. You can apply for an ATM card when you open your account.

    An ATM card allows you to withdraw and deposit money, transfer funds between accounts and check your account balance. ATMs can be found at banks, shopping centers, some supermarkets and on USC’s campus.

    Some businesses, including gas stations and supermarkets, now allow customers to use their ATM cards to pay for purchases. When using ATMs, be sure to follow security precautions to guard against theft.