Semester 1: Mid August to Mid December
Semester 2: Early January to Mid May

The typical course load for exchange students is approximately 16 units (4-5 courses). The maximum number of units is 18 units.  If a student takes beyond the 18 units, they would be personally responsible for paying the additional fees associated with that overload.

English.

School of Architecture School of Business School of Cinematic Arts School of Letters Arts and Sciences School for Communication and Journalism School of Dentistry School of Education School of Engineering School of Fine Arts School of Gerontology School of Law School of Medicine School of Music School of Pharmacy School of Policy, Planning and Development School of Social Work School of Theatre Graduate School

Only NUS students from FoE and SoC may apply to exchange to USC.  Students take courses only in the Viterbi School of Engineering.

Please refer to the Other Links section for relevant links to course information.  

Please check with SEP Administrator in the Dean’s Office for actual dates.

On campus housing:

USC owns and manages several housing complexes on campus and in the nearby University Park neighborhood which includes several residences and various apartments.

Off campus housing:

Housing around campus is in great demand by USC students. There are several reasons for this: limited USC housing, non-USC housing is relatively cheaper, no need for a long commute to campus.

Once you have been approved to study in the United States and officially admitted to the University, you will receive your Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019). Your Certificate of Eligibility is valid for 30 days before and 30 days after your academic program. This means that if you so desire, you can arrive in the United States one month before Purdue’s semester begins and depart for your home country one month after the semester ends.

After paying the SEVIS fee, take the SEVIS receipt, the Form DS-2019, valid passport, and evidence of financial support to the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate to obtain your J-1 exchange visitor visa.  When you depart for the U.S. be sure to carry these documents with you. You should also carry original financial documents as proof to support the funding listed on your Form DS-2019.  A United States immigration officer will review these items at your U.S. city of arrival.

USC requires that all students either have proof of a US based health insurance, or they will have to enroll in the USC plan (enrollment is automatic, and you do not have to fill out any paperwork. You only have to complete paperwork if you wish to "waive" the USC insurance for a different carrier- see below). The USC plan is $ 772 for Spring and $516 for Fall.  .  Those who will be departing the US after the program will be eligible (with proof of departure) for a refund on the unused portion of their insurance (ie, June, July and August portion).  You MUST apply for this refund, however. The Student Health Insurance Plan works in conjunction with the University Park Health Center and the Eric Cohen Health Center located on the Health Sciences Campus. For this reason, all students enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan are also required to pay the health fee of $220.

If you wish to get insurance for the semester on your own, please be sure that it is with a company that has offices in the US. Foreign Carriers/Insurers are not sufficient (these are the same rules USC students must abide by when the go to your institutions). And make sure that it meets the requirements as spelled out on the following website.

Most insurance companies will not pay for services outside of the home country, or will only reimburse you when you return. We do not have "socialized" medicine in the US, and health care costs can be quite substantial. So it makes sense to enroll in this plan.

Breakdown of Costs	USD $
Accommodation	1,050
Transport	70
Insurance	129 - 193
Others (Entertainment, clothes)	320
Monthly Estimate	1,569 - 1,633

Please refer to the Other Links Section for the relevant links to the estimated costs of living.

Universal Currency Converter:

	http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Accommodation:

	http://housing.usc.edu http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/OIS/NewStud/housing/hunting.html

Cost of Living:

	http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/costs.html

Health Insurance:

	http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/Health_Center/insurance/plan.description.shtml#costs

Course Information:

	http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2010/

International Office Website:

	http://sait.usc.edu/ois/