Summer Programs Application
USC Summer Programs extends a tradition of excellence to outstanding high school students through a diverse offering of four-week summer courses. As a Summer Trojan, you will balance academic and campus life as you prepare for college and earn college credit.
USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals of the USC academic community. Our faculty create an engaging academic experience by combining lectures, hands-on workshops and labs, and guest speakers.
Each course is designed to be more interactive, engaging and challenging than accelerated high school classes or the broad introductory courses offered by other summer pre-collegiate programs.
Explore Your Possibilities Browse Summer Courses Discover college-level courses across nine subject areas.
Explore USC Summer Programs courses by academic interest. Select a category to review course descriptions and additional information on USC's official website.
Admissions Process
- Applicants may apply to three courses, but will be admitted into and enrolled in only one course. Each course requires five to six hours of instruction per day. It is not possible for participants to enroll in multiple courses.
- If an applicant's preferred course is full or canceled for any reason and they are a qualified applicant, they will be admitted into and enrolled in their second or third choice course. Applicants will be contacted via email by the USC Summer Programs office if a space in their preferred course becomes available.
- Applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the program by email. Notifications will be sent to the email address provided during online registration. Be sure to use an email address that is checked frequently.
- Applicants are responsible for monitoring their application status and the submission of required documents through the application portal. Applications will not be reviewed until all tasks have been completed and submitted. Applicants will receive an email notification when their application has been submitted.
Applicant Eligibility
- Applicants must have completed ninth grade by the start of the program.
- Applicants should be pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum.
- Applicants are required to attend beginning June 21, 2027. Late arrivals or attendance exceptions cannot be accommodated.
International Applicants
In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Minimum score of 600 on the SAT Critical Reading exam (previous SAT), 650 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam (redesigned SAT), or 27 on the ACT English exam.
- TOEFL (or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition): for an exam taken prior to 21 January 2026, a minimum score of 100 and no less than a score of 20 in each section. For an exam taken on or after 21 January 2026, a minimum score of 5 and no less than a score of 4 on each section.
- Minimum IELTS score of 7.
- Minimum PTE score of 68.
- Minimum Duolingo English Test score of 120.
- An English Proficiency Waiver Form.
Visa & Immigration Requirements
Be prepared to begin processing your immigration documents as soon as possible. If accepted, international students will be required to submit the following documents by the deadlines listed below.
- March 29, 2027 Passport and financial document, or a valid visa (not B), or a U.S. high school permission letter.
- May 14, 2027 SEVIS receipt and signed I-20, if applicable.
- May 29, 2027 Newly acquired F-1 visa, if applicable.