New PhD Viterbi Students

USC Email

Mentorship

PhD Orientation

Hot Topic Videos

New Student Timeline & Checklist (Spring 2027 PhD TBA)

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New Student Orientation

Viterbi PhD New Student Orientation

Spring 2027 TBA

Viterbi PhD New Student Funding Session

Spring 2027 TBA

Hot Topic Videos !

We are pleased to introduce you to the Graduate Student Hot Topic Series, which is designed specifically to enhance your understanding of the university and support your transition process into USC and Viterbi.

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Academic Advisement

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Course Registration

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Student Financial Services

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Student Health

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Safety and Security

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Viterbi Career Connections

Resources for New Students

Academic Services & ResourcesViterbi Academic resources

Transportation Options around campus

FinancialStudent Financial Services

HousingGraduate Student Housing

SafetySafety Resources and Services

WellnessStudent Health Resources

FAQs

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 your first semester.

To request an expedited visa support letter, please complete this form.

Please ensure you read the Late Entry Instructions. In order to be issued a Late Entry Support Letter, you will need to complete the Late Entry Letter Request Form. Upon submission, you will be issued the requested letter.

Please note that there is no regulatory grace period for late arrivals to the U.S. Entry to the U.S. after the program start date is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport.

Please be advised that you can only arrive up to one (1) week after the semester has started; view the USC Academic Calendar for specific dates. If you cannot arrive in time for the semester, you may be eligible to defer your application to a future semester. To do so, please complete the Deferral Request Form at your earliest convenience.

Please ensure you read the Late Entry Instructions.

In order to be issued a Late Entry Support Letter, you will need to complete the Late Entry Letter Request Form. Upon submission, you will be issued the requested letter.

Please note that there is no regulatory grace period for late arrivals to the U.S. Entry to the U.S. after the program start date is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport.

Please be advised that you can only arrive up to one (1) week after the semester has started; view the USC Academic Calendar for specific dates. If you cannot arrive in time for the semester, you may be eligible to defer your application to a future semester. To do so, please submit your request by emailing vasephd@usc.edu.

Contact Us

Viterbi Welcome Experience Email: vjbs@usc.edu
Viterbi Graduate Advising Email: vasems@usc.edu
- Viterbi Graduate Advising Information and Drop-in Advising Hours can be found here.
  Please include your USC ID number when communicating with our office.

USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University of Southern California
3650 McClintock Avenue, OHE 106
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1455