University of Southern California

“Through this initiative, we are improving access to higher education for first-generation, historically underrepresented, and low to moderate-income students from our local community colleges. Our enrollment of local transfer students is one of the many ways in which USC gives back to our surrounding community—yet we receive a tremendous amount as well. Indeed, we gain immeasurably from the life experience, diversity and sense of purpose that these students bring to our learning environment.”
– C. L. Max Nikias, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, USC

The University of Southern California’s participation in the Community College Transfer Initiative prompted the development of the USC SCholars program, a collaborative effort between USC and local community colleges. The program’s primary focus is to identify high-achieving community college students and encourage them to transfer to elite public and private universities. In addition to assisting students through the transfer process, upon matriculation to USC, the program offers a variety of support services designed to meet the academic, emotional, and social needs of community-college transfer students. The University of Southern California partners with East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles City College, and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Elements of University of Southern California's CCTI program include:

• SCholars Clubs at East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles City College, and Los Angeles Trade Technical College provide transfer advising and preparation services to low- to moderate-income prospective transfer applicants.
• Access to USC’s Writing Center and libraries for prospective transfer students.
• A week-long immersion experience for incoming low- to moderate-income transfer students, including an intensive writing workshop to help students prepare for coursework at USC.
• Support services on campus for new transfer students, including access to the SCholars Program Lounge, which is equipped with computers and printers and provides a venue for social interaction among community college transfer students.

Learn more about USC's achievements and promising practices, or visit the USC SCholars web site to learn more about transfer opportunities.