Thousands descend upon USC's University Park campus for "Move-in Day," Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Contact: USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215 or gersema@usc.edu

It’s back-to-school time at the University of Southern California, and we’d like to invite you to see firsthand what it’s like to be a brand new member of the Trojan Family.

Below are some of our Welcome Week events — from tips for first-generation college families to new traditions for students.

Please RSVP for all events to USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215 or gersema@usc.edu. Parking instructions are below.  

College 101 for first-generation families

Did you know that 1 in 8 USC freshmen are the first in their families to attend college? And USC ranks among the very top of elite private universities nationally for the percentage of low-income students it enrolls, as measured by Pell Grant eligibility.

A two-hour session for first-generation families on Move-in Day gives these students and their parents, who may not have traditional college knowledge, the chance to ask questions and set them up for success.

A lifelong identity

USC has bestowed each residential college with an official crest to evoke a stronger sense of community and ultimately increase academic success.  The unveiling of the crests and the enhanced residential experience precedes the opening of USC Village and its eight additional residential colleges housing 2,700 students in 2017. The Residential Colleges are part of an effort to makes the spaces where students live an integral part of the academic experience.

Bonding over flapjacks, celebrating convocation

Students continue bonding and meeting their future classmates, roommates and lifelong friends early Thursday morning at the annual pancake breakfast. The meal is immediately followed by new student convocation in USC's Alumni Park.

Freshmen and transfer students will don black robes and are officially inducted into the Trojan Family. Much like the May commencement ceremony, USC President C. L. Max Nikias will challenge first-year students to be great and take risks during their time on campus. 

During the day, President Nikias will take over USC's official instagram account. Be sure to follow along with the day's events:@uscedu.

New tradition: All Hall Dinner

Thousands of newly official Trojans will rendezvous in the center of campus for USC’s first All Hall Dinner, a feast under the stars uniting the Trojan Family. All dining campus dining halls will close so students can enjoy a meal under the stars in McCarthy Quad after a day filled with pomp and getting to know the University Park campus. 

TransferMation: Welcoming USC's transfer students

Nearly one-third of incoming students this fall are community college transfers, making USC one of the top five transfer locations in the nation. To ensure their success during their first semester on campus, the Office of Undergraduate Programs invites all new transfer students to a series of seminars on Friday, Aug. 19.

Media are invited to speak with these incoming students during and after the “USC 101: Transfer Student Panel,” where current transfer students share their experiences and helpful tips on how to succeed and become involved on campus. Other transfer programs include academic resource workshops and a Q&A on how to make the most out of their matriculation.

First class: Trojan Spirit 101

All first-year students will gather in front of Tommy Trojan on Friday evening for their first Trojan pep rally with the USC marching band. The Spirit of Troy will lead the freshman class of 2020 in their first official SoCal Spellout and parade the students over to the Galen Center to kick off the Residential College Cup. 

Media must RSVP for all events to USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215 orgersema@usc.edu. Full USC Welcome Week schedule is available here. 

Activity on USC’s annual Move-In Day on Wednesday, Aug. 17, will start at 8 a.m. and centers at the cluster of residence halls on the campus’ east side – including New North and South (Marks and Trojan halls and Pardee and Marks towers) residential colleges. (See campus map at http://web-app.usc.edu/maps/#upc/.)

Parking will be available for print reporters at USC Entrance 6 on Vermont Avenue and 36th Place. Show media credential for access.

On-campus parking for broadcast vehicles is on West 34th Street or McClintock Avenue – enter at Entrance 5 on Jefferson Boulevard at McClintock Avenue or Entrance 6 on Vermont Avenue and 36th Place. Media trucks are advised to park in any open yellow parking zone on the listed streets.