Student Perspectives: Summers at 'SC
Where, How, What and Why of Spending the Summer Semester at USC
Hi there! I’m Tucker, and I’m a current Junior majoring in Chemical Engineering. I’m also pursuing a Master’s in Materials Engineering through USC’s Progressive Degree Program (PDP). I’m here to provide information regarding summers at USC. I spent both my Freshman and Sophomore summers at USC, and this blog compiles some of my experiences regarding spending the summer here.
Where can you stay over the summer?
There are many ways to find housing around USC over the summer. As a reminder, all students living with USC-affiliated housing must move out after the spring semester. Many first-year and second-year students can look for off campus housing to figure out where to live during that time.
As an underclassman, I would recommend looking at Facebook groups for summer leasing opportunities. Many upperclassmen living off campus are looking to give up their lease for the summer months if they are leaving campus, so it is usually easy to find opportunities to take on a lease for that period of time. Many students also offer their housing at a discounted rate, so make sure you are getting a good deal for living there over the summer!
If you would like to find on campus housing, the best route is to take a Residential Advisor (RA) position. There are many summer programs where students will live in on-campus housing such as high school programs and the Viterbi School of Engineering Summer Institute (VSI), for which RAs are responsible for fostering a community for those living on campus. Housing is free as an RA, but keep in mind that some RA positions around campus are completely full time. So make sure that the positions are flexible with your hours, if you’re planning to take on another responsibility, such as a summer internship.
How can you spend your time?
Pursuing research
Professors are usually more willing to accommodate research interns over the summer since students have more flexible schedules. I would recommend emailing professors in the winter or spring to see if they have any availability. If professors cannot fund your research directly, make sure to explore how you can apply for funding as an undergraduate, such as WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) and the USC Undergraduate Provost Research Fellowship.
I also recommend researching opportunities for funding for the specific school that you're in. For example, the Viterbi School of Engineering has opportunities to pursue research under the Center for Undergraduate Research at the Viterbi School of Engineering (CURVE) and Dornsife has the Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF). These are just a few examples.
Internships
Internships allow students to dive into an industry and make a real-world impact, all while building a resume and fostering a network. With Los Angeles being such a large metropolitan area, I have friends working in accounting firms in Downtown Los Angeles, engineering companies in the “Silicon Beach” of El Segundo, and record labels in West LA. USC is centrally located in LA, so many students commute to work from off-campus housing during the week. Living close to USC while starting an internship is a great way to take on new opportunities while still enjoying the comfort of campus life, like seeing close friends or stopping by favorite coffee shops (Matcha Latte from Dulce in the USC village, anyone?).
Taking Classes
USC has summer courses that can be counted toward a student’s degree. There are certain courses that all students must take at USC, such as two writing classes (WRIT 150 and WRIT 340) and general education courses, that I would recommend taking at USC over the summer if you’re looking to get on top of things—especially if you are pursuing multiple programs of study.
Other courses that could be applied to your degree can also be taken at a community college. For example, I was able to take a math course at my local community college that directly transferred for credit. If you are a USC student, I would recommend reaching out to your advisor to help you plan out the best course of action! They’ll also ensure that you are following the proper policies around summer courses for USC students.
What else can you do around USC?
One of the greatest assets you have over the summer is TIME. You'll find yourself having more time to explore LA than you would over the school year. With this extra time, I found myself exploring different LA staples that I wouldn’t usually go to during the school year. Most of these options require having a car. I didn't have one, but I did have a friend with a car, so I recommend making friends with someone who does have a car. I should also note that you can also use ride share options and, in some cases, public transportation. Here are some examples:
Flea markets
Flea markets can often be a time-consuming endeavor, especially if you want to find some hidden gems, and I went to both the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena and the Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles. I spent hours going through the different offerings, and it was a great place to find some trendy clothes at affordable prices!
Hiking
Hiking is a great option to explore LA without any entry fees. Some of my favorite spots include the Culver City Stairs, which is accessible by the LA Metro line from campus (and features a beautiful view of downtown LA!), and the classic Hollywood Sign hike. It can get hot in the summer, so make sure to pack a water bottle!
Beaches
One of the perks of California’s diverse landscape is having access to many unique beaches along the coast. Santa Monica, home to the famous Santa Monica Pier, is directly accessible by the LA metro line from campus. Other students’ favorites include Manhattan Beach (where the cover photo is featured!) and Venice, which are both a 30-minute drive by car. Spending the day at the beach is one of the best ways to take advantage of a sunny LA day, so you can’t go wrong with any of these spots.
Orange County
It takes about at least 40 minutes to get to 'the OC' but, if you're looking to explore picturesque California, this is a great place to go! In my opinion, students should try to explore Orange County at least once before graduating—and over the summer is a great time to go. I spent a Saturday in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach with my friends—which ended in ice cream and a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Other options include a trip to Anaheim to visit Disneyland or a Los Angeles Angels baseball game. But keep in mind that these trips can get expensive quickly!
Why spend a summer at USC?
In all honesty, one of the best reasons to be at USC over the summer is because you don't have to worry about dodging skateboards and scooters on Trousdale, USC’s main walkway. But, on a more serious note, being on campus lets you appreciate USC and LA without the hustle and bustle of normal school activities. Some of my favorite memories from the Summer include making friends with other students in my apartment building and hosting a Harry Potter watch-a-thon. In addition, I’ve found it much easier to take on a new hobby over the summer. A lot of the facilities around campus are less crowded, and I felt more empowered to try a new hobby like swimming. At the beginning of the summer session, I was barely able to swim a lap. But, by the end, I was a confident swimmer! The same goes for all of USC’s recreational facilities. I particularly enjoyed playing pickleball with my friends after the workday or school day and there was always space open to play!
Written By: Tucker Erbeck, Class of 2026