Fall Options for Spring Admits
The biggest questions we get from students admitted to the spring semester are 1) how I should spend my fall semester and 2) am I going to graduate with my peers who start at USC in the fall?
It’s completely up to spring admits how they spend their time in the fall. While we can’t predict graduation timelines and certain majors require a full eight (or more) semesters at USC, most degree programs can be finished within eight semesters of college coursework. That means that many spring admits will choose to enroll in classes during the fall before starting at USC in one of three ways:
Spring admits have the opportunity to enroll in USC coursework right away if they participate in the USC in D.C. First Semester program (FSDC), hosted by USC’s Capital Campus. FSDC students enroll in four USC courses while participating in the cohort-style program and living together in student housing just a few Metro stops away from the Capital Campus building.
Ariel M. was a member of the inaugural cohort in fall 2025:
I was a spring admit and wanted something different from community college, but studying abroad felt like too big of a jump. The small cohort allowed me to ease into my college journey while still stepping out of my comfort zone. It also provided individualized guidance where my needs would actually be heard and addressed. I was excited to be in California for the next four years, but the opportunity to spend my first semester on the East Coast in the hub of government and the nation’s capital felt like a unique experience I couldn’t pass up.
The guest speakers that came to speak to our cohort were a highlight. It gave us the opportunity to hear from alumni, get advice, and even network. Charles Bolden, a former NASA administrator and astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions, stood out the most. I also loved the field trips to the Smithsonian museums. As a Jewish person, the Holocaust Museum was particularly meaningful to me. The National Museum of African American History, Go-go Museum and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian were also unforgettable.
My favorite experiences outside the classroom were the little moments inside my apartment. Some nights my roommates would make extravagant joint dinners like birria tacos or Italian night (my personal favorite). I loved everything that came with these nights: shopping at the grocery store together, cooking, taste-testing, having the occasional food fail, throwing dance parties while the food cooked, and finally sitting down to eat together. I was really scared at first because I went random with my roommates, but we instantly clicked and became best friends. I’m even planning on rooming with them my sophomore year. These are people I see myself being friends with beyond college, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the DC program.
2. Community College
The most common way spring admits will enroll in fall coursework is taking transferable classes at their local community college. This is a convenient way to start making progress toward a USC degree.
Josh F. enrolled at his local community college before starting at USC in the spring:
I chose to attend community college in the fall before enrolling at USC. I really wanted to be productive during the fall semester and earn as many GE credits as I could to save money and get ahead, so attending community college was the ideal option. I also wanted to stay home with my mom as much as possible before leaving for a new place, so staying local was also a huge bonus!
Being able to stay local and spend more time with my mom while still earning credits for difficult subjects, like math, was the best part about community college. It also really gave me more time to explore myself and understand what I really wanted to pursue in college--which influenced me to switch my major before even coming to USC in the spring.
The fall experience at community college really prepared me for USC by helping me get comfortable with socializing and being myself. Being a spring admit was a little worrisome in the sense that I thought it would be difficult to make any friends. During community college, I practiced socializing and tried to get involved in as much as possible to ensure I would carry those skills to USC and be comfortable being myself. Sure enough, I didn’t even need to be scared because I made some of my closest friends in the first week of coming to USC!
I would absolutely choose the same thing if I could go back! I think going to community college was truly a special time in my life because it gave me a lot of time to explore more of my interests and find what I loved. I wouldn’t trade that time of reflection for anything else because it got me to where I am today! Plus, spending more time with my mom and friends allowed me to appreciate the people around me and create more long-lasting memories.
3. Study Abroad
For over 10 years, USC has worked closely with five American institutions in Europe and the U.K. that provide study abroad enrollment for spring admits. Spring admits who are eager to start their college journey abroad will enroll directly at one of the five schools, taking classes that will transfer to USC.
Grace P. studied abroad in Rome before arriving in Los Angeles:
I studied abroad in Rome Italy at John Cabot University. I chose this path because it allowed me to complete credits to stay on track and join a community of USC students before arriving in the spring. I also am pre-law, so studying abroad would have been difficult for me to fit in later in my college journey.
What I liked most about the option I chose was that Rome was an incredible host city and it allowed me to travel all over Europe. I also enjoyed that I was surrounded by other spring admits from other universities, so it felt like a typical freshman year semester--except I also got to travel around Europe. I never felt alone and it felt like a lot of people around me were in the exact same position.
My fall experience prepared me for the spring by helping me form relationships that carried over to L.A., while allowing me to get credits out of the way. I would 100% make the same decision. I loved my time abroad and it kept me from falling behind. I would say that everyone has a path that works best for them, but it was very beneficial for me to be around other spring admits during my fall semester. This helped me feel more included and comfortable when I got to USC.
Not every spring admit will enroll in fall coursework, and that’s also okay! Some choose to take a complete break from academics and work full time, travel, spend time with loved ones or something else entirely. We want students to make a choice that is a good fit for them, and we’re always happy to talk through a student’s options with them.
Written by: Jessica Nielsen, Associate Director - USC Office of Admission