For degrees from domestic institutions

Students must submit official transcripts to the Registrar’s office. There are 2 options for submission.

• Mail a paper copy of the official transcript to the following address:

USC Degree Verification
C/O The Degree Progress Department
University of Southern California
University Park Campus
700 Childs Way, John Hubbard Hall 106
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0912

• Electronic transcripts sent through email attachments from issuing institutions may be received by USC if sent to etrans@usc.edu. 

See the website for more instructions

For degrees from international institutions

Students will need to obtain a “Certification of Studies for USC” from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).* This service is not offered on campus. You will need to send IERF your original documents for inspection, but in most (though not all) cases, your prior institution will  not need to send IERF independent verification. When your verification is complete, IERF will mail your documents back to you. 

See the website for more instructions

Deadline for all degree verifications is by the end of the your first semester.

Transportation from LAX to USC
Using LA Metro trains or public transit buses are not recommended as there is no direct and easy route to USC at this time. All taxis and shuttles whose services are requested for at curbside of LAX are safe to use and licensed.

Shuttles “Shared Ride Vans”
Shuttles are minivan-like vehicles that seat about seven people and their luggage. Most shuttles offer door-to-door service, where they pick up guests right outside the airport terminal and drop them off at their destination address, or at the gate or driveway of their accommodation. The two common shuttles that students can take to UPC are Super Shuttle and Primetime Shuttle.

Cost for either of these shuttles is approximately $14 one way to UPC. They will drop you at one of the main gates (Gate 1, 2, etc.). See USC map to determine where you want to be dropped-off.

LAX website provides more information on shared ride van services. This page also provides a map of LAX terminals and locations of shared ride vans waiting area.

Making Reservations
Super Shuttle: Choose “From Airport,” “Los Angeles Airport,” and zip code for drop-off is 90089. Super Shuttle tends to have more van options so wait time may be less than PrimeTime.

Prime Time Shuttle: Shuttle is reserved through special USC site. Choose which USC gate you would like to be dropped-off at (ex. USC-UPC Gate 2).

Upon Arrival at LAX
Immediately after exiting baggage claim look for curbside signs that state the names of Super Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle. Super Shuttle vans are blue and Prime Time are red. A shuttle attendant will be standing beside the sign on the curbside and will assist with the appropriate van for your destination. Please be sure to keep a copy of your reservation to give to them. If you do not have a reservation, you can still use the service but the rate may be a bit higher.

The wait for the van typically ranges anywhere from 20 – 40 minutes since they try to fill-up the vans before departing LAX. Once the shuttle arrives, the driver will assist with the bags. You will be asked for the destination address, so you should state the address clearly or show a written copy of the destination address. The driver will inform you when you reach the destination and will unload the bags from the van, but will not carry them to the doorstep. This is when students should pay the fare (if it hasn’t already been paid) and tip the driver (generally $1 – $2 per bag).

Taxi
Students can utilize 'LAX-it', the way that guests arriving at LAX connect to their Taxi, Lyft, Opoli, and Uber rides when leaving the airport. Please note that LAX no longer permits terminal side pickups for taxis, lyft or uber. You can walk to LAX-it to connect with your ride or take a fast, free shuttle. Terminals 1 and 7 are closest and are a 3 to 8 minute walk; the farthest terminals, T4 and T5 are about a 19 minute walk. The LAX-it area is located right next to Terminal 1. Free shuttles with wifi arrive at the LAX-it Stops on the first level outside of baggage claim every 3 to 5 minute during peak periods and stop only twice between pick-up and the LAX-it area. The shuttle trip can take between 8 and 15 minutes. Passengers for this shuttle bus service should wait at the GREEN LAX-it sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of each terminal.

The LAX website provides more information on taxi services, including a list of taxi companies serving LAX and a map for taxi waiting area. Some of the more popular taxi companies are Bell Cabs, Checker Cab, and Yellow Cab. Students should ask the attendant at the information desk to recommend a taxi and should also ask for an estimate of the fare, which should be approximately $40 (to USC and nearby locations). Taxis will arrive at the destination faster, as they don’t make stops on the way to drop off other passengers, but they are twice as expensive as the shuttle van.

General Tips
Never leave baggage unattended. Do not entrust bags to a stranger, even if they seem trustworthy and honest.
Be attentive and watchful of signs, directions and maps at the airport. Listen carefully to announcements made over the PA (public address) system.
Beware of solicitors inside and outside the airport terminal who may offer to provide a ride. Don’t encourage a conversation with them.
If things are not going according to plan, don’t express disappointment or confusion. Similarly, don’t divulge the details of the situation to a stranger.
In case of a problem, alert the information desk in the lobby or airport security personnel.

ISE and ITA Exam: The International Student English (ISE) Exam and International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Exam are free placement exams given to assess the English proficiency of international students at USC.

To find out if you are required to take the exams, check your letter of admission or I-20. Registrations are open now! After you sign up, you will receive more detailed instructions regarding taking the exams online. Students are either released from any ALI requirement (ALI 01 hold) or receive an ALI placement based on the exam results.

Please click the links for ISE and ITA exam registration and instructions. You may also contact askali@usc.edu for your questions.

STU50 hold restricts registration and USCard application for graduate students. To remove the hold, complete Immigration Status Verification(ISV) with OIS upon arrival in the U.S.

ISV is a procedure that verifies a student’s immigration status to ensure the student is eligible to start an academic program at USC for the upcoming academic semester.