Students on USC's DC Program for Spring Admits
For the first time ever in Fall 2025, USC spring admitted students had the opportunity to enroll at USC’s Capital Campus in Washington, D.C. before arriving on campus for the spring semester. 57 students total participated and were able to complete general education courses and USC’s lower-division writing requirement, and to join a tightly knit cohort of fellow Trojans.
There are many ways spring admits can choose to spend their time before arriving at USC in the spring (more on that in my next blog post!), yet the First Semester in D.C. (FSDC) program is truly a unique opportunity, as it is the only way to enroll in USC coursework before starting at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles. In addition, students live together and take their courses together, creating an organic dynamic in which participating students have a sincere cohort experience.
A few of the inaugural cohort members shared their experiences with me. See more below!
Why did you participate in FSDC?
“I decided to participate in the FSDC program because it would not only benefit me and my major, but also help me make friends before joining the USC family in LA where over 20,000 students attend. Starting college with a small, close knit group of people is something that I truly needed. I also wanted to explore DC and the east coast.”
- Gio H.
“I was told about the DC program after I had called my admissions rep and asked him what my options were for the fall semester. After researching the DC program, I learned about a curriculum that aligned with my pre-law path and academic interest specifically on the topic of globalization.”
- Shawn A.
What was your favorite academic experience at FSDC?
“I personally really enjoyed the on-site learning experiences we were given. Many of our classes integrated guest speakers at least once or twice a week, and we got to visit so many cultural spaces, such as the Smithsonian Museums and the Library of Congress, as part of our courses. This immersive experience was valuable and isn’t something you will get in many programs or at many universities.”
- Summer S.
“My favorite thing about the FSDC program was the ability to engage with professionals in a variety of fields. Engaging with professors, experts, and politicians gave me a unique networking opportunity and a list of contacts that I still exercise to this day. The courses were rigorous, but not stressful, and I completed a lot of my GEs.”
- Shawn A.
What did you do outside of the classroom?
“FSDC gave all students an unlimited Metro Pass to use throughout the semester--which allowed us to take public transportation quite literally everywhere. My friends and I often went to parks, Georgetown, the harbor, and even explored nearby states like Virginia and Maryland in our free time--which I thought was a very enjoyable and productive way to spend our free time.”
- Summer S.
“Outside of the classroom, I loved going on off-site field trips. One specific off-site field trip that I enjoyed was the trip to Brady Institute, which is a group that advocates for gun control. Through my GCIM teacher, we were able to meet the CEO of Brady United, who later introduced me to her team of lawyers. This was a unique networking event and allowed me to understand my potential future career in law.”
- Shawn A.
Can you tell me more about the community you built at FSDC? Are you all still in touch while at the University Park Campus?
“I am still very much in touch with the friends I made, and we saw each other back in LA. In fact, some of us wanted to be roommates again. Unfortunately, that was not given to us, so we will room together next year.”
- Gio H.
“The community at FSDC is tightly knit. Acquaintances I still see around campus are always warm and friendly. Being able to enter the spring semester and our first semester on campus with a large group of people we already know has made the transition to main campus a lot more comfortable.”
- Shawn A.
Anything else you want to share about your experience?
“I’m very glad I got to participate in the FSDC program, and if anyone is looking into it, I would recommend that you genuinely consider it. Having people you are familiar with on a new campus in the spring is very, very helpful.”
- Summer S.
“It was the most amazing and heartfelt experience I had and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.”
- Gio H.