Pre-College Programs
  • Summer Programs
  • Residential and Commuter Experience

Residential and Commuter Experience

Live on campus — or commute! Both residential and commuting participants have the opportunity to experience life as a USC student during the four weeks of USC Summer Programs.

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    A red and silver campus sign marking the Student Health Center.

    Student Health Center

    The USC Student Health Center provides medical services to all participants on the University Park Campus during regular office hours. If medical attention is required, summer programs participants will be escorted to the health center by a residential advisor.

    Interior of USC's Hoose Library of Philosophy reading room, with chandeliers, bookshelves and vaulted ceilings.

    University Libraries

    Summer programs participants have access to USC libraries. Because the programs of study have a short duration, participants may enjoy reading rooms, but not borrowing privileges.

    Computer Labs

    Participants may access public computers and printing facilities in the computer labs and libraries on campus. They also may bring a laptop and connect to USC’s secured wireless network.

    USC Summer Programs USCard

    USCard

    The USCard is a student ID that serves as participants’ primary form of identification and allows access to campus facilities. All USC Summer Programs participants must apply for a USCard.

    A red and silver campus sign marking the Student Health Center.
    Interior of USC's Hoose Library of Philosophy reading room, with chandeliers, bookshelves and vaulted ceilings.
    USC Summer Programs USCard

    Summer Trojans who choose the residential route will experience the independent feeling of living like a college student in the university’s residential halls. For safety and security, participants must adhere to USC Summer Programs policies.

    Campus Safety and Support

    A team of USC Summer Programs Residential Advisors, including the director of USC Summer Programs, will live in the residential halls with participants and are available at all times.

    In addition, the USC Department of Public Safety provides 24/7 patrol services for the campus community and off-campus properties. 

    For added security, all residence and dining halls require a USCard (student ID) to access.

    A photo of the gothic-style Wallis Annenberg Hall at dusk with a planter full of flowers in the foreground.

    Participant Housing

    Aside from learning and studying, USC Summer Programs participants will be living like college students in USC’s premier residential halls.

    USC Summer Programs staff build a community where high schoolers can meet other academically motivated participants from around the globe. Roommate and floormate assignments are gender-specific, based on the gender identification participants submit on their applications. Please note that roommate requests cannot be accommodated.

    For security, residential participants must be inside their assigned residential hall by 10 p.m. every evening, including the weekends, with lights out at 11:30 p.m. every night.

    Residential participants are not allowed to have a personal vehicle on campus. See the Letter of Understanding for more details.

    The scalloped edges of Birnkrant Residence Halls on campus, viewed from below.

    Meal Plan

    Residential participants will have a meal plan during their time on campus, which will cover three meals a day in a USC dining hall. Browse USC dining hall menus for more information.

    Students in USC's "Storytelling in the Digital Age" pre-college program eat ice cream. Read on to find the difference between residential vs. commuter pre-college programs.

    If a participant’s primary residence is in Los Angeles County, California, or Orange County, California, they may choose to commute to campus for USC Summer Programs.

    Commuter participants will be required to attend all academic sessions. They are also encouraged to participate in weeknight activities, with parent permission, and weekend excursions.

    Driving Policies

    Commuting participants are required to attend all class sessions and academic field trips. Participants must travel to and from all academic and recreational field trips on USC Summer Programs transportation. Participants do not have the option to be dropped off at or picked up from any field trip location.

    At no time shall a commuting participant drive another participant, either commuter or residential, on or off campus without written consent from the parents or guardian of the driver and passenger. In addition, no commuter participant shall allow another commuting or residential participant to be in or on their personal vehicle.

    Summer programs students pose outside a natural history museum.

    Recreational Field Trips

    Commuting participants are encouraged to participate in recreational weekend excursions. Commuting participants must arrive to campus prior to the excursion to take the bus with the other USC Summer Programs participants; they do not have the option to be dropped off at or picked up from any field trip location.

    Please note that, for amusement park field trips, participants return to campus at approximately midnight. We strongly encourage parents or guardians to drive participants home on those days.

    Students on a field trip to Sony Pictures Studios.

    Meal Options

    Commuter meal plans are not offered; however, commuters are encouraged to eat with their peers in the dining halls. Participants can bring cash, cards and Apple Pay to buy lunch at any of the retail dining and cafes on campus. Additionally, participants can bring ATM/debit cards to buy lunch at any of the eateries located within the USC Summer Programs Campus Boundaries Map. Cash is not accepted at USC dining halls.

    Group of students sitting at a wooden picnic table outdoors under a large umbrella, eating and smiling on a sunny day.

    Parking Permits

    Commuting participants may purchase parking passes through USC Transportation. Rates, availability and purchasing information is available online. The McCarthy Way Parking Structure is the closest parking to the area of campus where USC Summer Programs staff will be located.

    Parking permits can be picked up from the USC Transportation office, located in the McCarthy Way Parking Structure, during regular business hours.

    Seven students make the "Fight On" sign in front of a blackboard in a classroom.