Spring Admission at USC
When you think about starting college, most picture starting at their university in the fall after they graduate from high school. This is a common, some might say traditional, pathway for students who enter a four-year university after high school. But what if you took an alternative path? What if you had the fall semester free to do whatever you wanted, and then you started at your university in the spring of your first year? You’d still graduate from this university, likely at the same time as your peers who start in the fall and, once there in the spring, you’d still have access to the resources and opportunities your university offers for undergraduate students. It may seem like a far-fetched idea, yet this is the reality for roughly 500 to 600 USC first-year students every year.
USC began admitting students to the spring semester in the early 90s. Admission to USC was becoming increasingly competitive, and there was (and continues to be) more space in the spring due to students studying abroad or graduating early. For over 30 years, spring admission has allowed USC to bring in even more of the incredible students that apply to our institution. In just a few weeks, over 700 students will be starting their USC journey in our spring semester. Continue reading to learn more about spring admission at USC!
What do spring admits do in the fall before starting at USC in the spring?
It is completely up to spring admits how they choose to spend their time in the fall. Many choose to enroll in coursework elsewhere. Students in most degree programs graduate with their peers who start at USC in the fall if they choose this option. The majority enroll at a community college local to them and may even work part-time as well.
Roughly a fourth of the spring class studies abroad in the fall at a U.S. accredited institution in Europe or the U.K. We work closely with five schools –in Paris, Rome, London, Prague and Lugano. This year, over 50 spring admits are taking USC courses at our new Capital Campus in Washington, D.C.
Others will take a break from academics and have a true gap semester. This could include spending time with family at home, working full time, or perhaps traveling across the country or the globe. We want students to make the choice that is best for their needs.
How do students know how their fall classes will transfer to USC?
Our spring admission program team helps students plan their fall semester. We host course planning webinars throughout the summer to educate students on how to put together a productive fall plan. Spring admits can then submit their individual plans to be reviewed by the team.
If a student doesn’t take classes in the fall, can they still graduate with their peers who start at USC in the fall?
It depends. Graduation timelines are not “one size fits all,” and there are several factors that impact a student’s degree progress. All majors at USC have different requirements, so a major’s range of flexibility certainly comes into play. Some students come into USC with college credits from AP exams, IB exams and/or transferrable college courses that were taken while in high school. Depending on the types of exams and courses a student completed, it may be possible to already have up to a year’s worth of credits.
What is starting at USC in the spring really like?
It can be daunting to start your college journey in a non-traditional format. Here’s what some current students have to say about their experience starting in the spring:
“ Coming to USC in the spring semester, I was unsure of how I was going to fit in with the campus and find community. Thankfully, USC events, such as the involvement fair and recreation fest, occur at the beginning of every semester—which gave me the chance to get involved in clubs and sports within the first weeks of the spring semester, some of which I’m still involved in three years later. If you take the first step to putting yourself out there, you will find many different ways to immerse yourself in the USC community, regardless of whether you’re starting in the fall or spring!”
-Chris C.
“I’ve noticed that every semester at USC, even after having been here for two years, feels like a fresh start. At both an individual level as well as at a level of different student organizations, everyone is always happy to meet new people and make new connections. I was definitely a little more nervous than I had to be at the beginning of my first semester here, but I met some great friends right at the beginning that I could go to all of USC’s events with and just keep getting involved and meeting people.”
-Eleanor T.
“Obviously it can be a hard transition to start school in the middle of the school year, but what’s important to remember is that every semester is a fresh start for everyone. That means new classes, new friends and new opportunities to meet people. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to complete all the ‘goals’ you have your first semester. Rather, take the time to ground yourself and find a reason to come back in the fall (i.e. a club, a campus job, a class). Remember that your journey in college is a marathon, not a sprint; and, most importantly: you belong at USC!”
-Frankie A.L.
This sounds really interesting. Can I opt for a spring start when I apply for admission?
All students who apply for admission are automatically considered for both fall and spring admission. There are certain specialized degree programs that admit students to fall only, but the majority of academic programs at USC can accommodate both a fall and spring start.
Spring admits are valued members of the USC community, and we’re so excited to welcome more students to the university each January. We’re equally eager to meet the spring admits who will be admitted in a few months and invited to join us in spring 2027.
Questions? Contact springadm@usc.edu.
Written by: Jessica Nielsen, Special Project Manager - USC Office of Admission