Unlike many public colleges and universities, USC does not have a single set of requirements that guarantees admission to all majors. With this in mind, please consider the following:

- Admission is competitive. Students who complete all suggested courses might not be offered admission.
- As a transfer student, you should concentrate on USC transferable courses that build on your high school record, satisfy general education and other requirements, and include preparation for your major. At least seventy-five percent of the transferable courses available at most colleges should cover these areas. You are expected to have at least a “A-/B+” average on transferable work.
- You must submit secondary school records and proof of graduation.
- Two semesters of English composition must be completed before enrolling at USC.
- You must have demonstrated a minimum mathematics proficiency before enrolling at USC.  For the Architecture major, please complete the equivalent of USC’s Math 108 course.
- Nontransferable skills-building courses in writing and mathematics may need to be completed prior to admission to USC. Placement exams offered at your current college will determine your need for any remedial course work.
- We encourage you to take advantage of the strength of USC’s general education program. In fact, you do not have to complete all transferable general education requirements or all prerequisites elsewhere to be admitted. You do not have to complete an A.A. or A.S. degree prior to transferring to USC.
- We consider trends in your grades and college attendance patterns. Consistent degree progress and strong recent performance are important.
- There is no minimum number of transfer units you must complete before applying for admission. However, if you have fewer than 30 units, your high school record and results from the SAT or ACT will have a greater impact on our admission decision.

WHEN SHOULD YOU TRANSFER?
Unlike many colleges or universities, there is no minimum number of units required to transfer to USC. The exact timing of your transfer to USC is an individual decision, but we offer the following recommendations:

If you are a student with a strong college record, you should consider transferring as soon as possible. Transfer applicants should note that placement level and the amount of time to complete the studio sequence are dependent on skill level, not unit count.  Students who transfer here earlier have the advantage of being part of the USC community for a longer time. They make friends and contacts, and have more opportunities to get involved with our campus life.

If your record isn’t as strong as you would like, you may need to establish a solid academic foundation by completing one year or more of course work elsewhere.

It is recommended that students take General Education courses, along with two semesters of English Composition and math.  While the University requires intermediate algebra, architecture applicants should complete the equivalent of USC’s Math 108: Introductory College Mathematics.  A few art or architecture classes are recommended to help build the portfolio, but please keep in mind that the majority of architecture classes are not eligible for transferable/major credit.  It is not to your advantage to take an excessive number of architecture courses. 


DETERMINING YOUR TRANSFER GPA AND CLASS STANDING
-    For the admission decision, all grades in USC transferable courses (including grades of D+ and below) are calculated into the grade point average. USC takes into account plus/minus grading. Marks of 'credit'/'no credit,' 'pass/no pass,' 'withdraw,' 'incomplete,' 'no record,' 'missing grade' and 'passing course in progress' do not affect a student's grade point average.
-    If you repeat a transferable course, each grade earned in that course will be used to calculate the transfer GPA for admission. Furthermore, USC does not honor academic renewal or academic forgiveness programs through which students are allowed to improve recorded substandard academic performance.
-    Once you are admitted, a transfer grade point average will be established for all transferable course work. This average will be included with your USC GPA to determine your eligibility for graduation with honors.
-    While the University may determine your class standing at the time of admission based on the number of transferable units completed at the time of the admission decision, the School of Architecture will review the portfolio in conjunction with the application to determine placement level into the program.


TRANSFERRING OPTIONS
We feel that transfer students are an asset to our program and encourage you to consider the USC School of Architecture.  As a result of the requirements for our degree, transfer students often find themselves in an unusual situation with regard to advanced placement. 

OPTION ONE- FIRST YEAR DESIGN
Transfer students who are admitted to the University as sophomore or juniors (based on number of college credits completed) but have limited or no architectural design experience may be placed in the first year design studio after review of the portfolio.  Our degree requires ten consecutive semesters of design studio, so the program will take five years to complete, even though you may have 30 or more units of transferable credits.

OPTION TWO- ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Transfer students who have had architectural design education can be considered for advanced placement within the studio program.  Each student who applies has a different level of preparation and competency.  Placement decisions are made only after a thorough analysis of your portfolio and application.

After your portfolio has been reviewed there are three possibilities:
1. The faculty feel you need additional education to succeed in the program and place you in the first year design studio.
2. The faculty think that your design education background is good, but they are uncertain as to your skills in relation to the way our program works.  In this case you will be recommended to take our Summer Transfer Studio.  After completion of this Summer Transfer Studio with a grade of B or better, you will be placed into the first semester of second year in the Fall.
3. The faculty reviews your portfolio and feel that your design education background is equivalent to our first year and places you directly into the second year design studio.     THIS RARELY HAPPENS.
 

Frequently Asked Questions for Transfer Applicants

Can I transfer directly into second or third year studio?
The architecture program is a five-year first professional degree program designed to be completed in sequence. Occasionally, students who have taken numerous architecture courses, and have shown an advanced skill level as a result of these courses, may be placed into the Summer Transfer Studio.  Successful completion of the studio will reduce the program to eight semesters.  The majority of transfer students, however, must complete the ten consecutive studios beginning in first year. It is not necessary to complete all the requirements toward the architecture A.A., as it does not guarantee advanced placement.

How can I apply for the Summer Transfer Studio?
All applicants must apply to the University and the School of Architecture during the normal fall admission cycle.  All transfer applicants will be considered for Summer Transfer Studio placement.

What classes should I take at my university or community college?
It is recommended that students take General Education courses, along with two semesters of English Composition and math.  While the University requires intermediate algebra, architecture applicants should complete the equivalent of USC’s Math 108: Introductory College Mathematics.  A few art or architecture classes are recommended if you need pieces to include in your portfolio, but please keep in mind that the majority of architecture classes are not eligible for transferable credit.  It is not to your advantage to take an excessive number of architecture courses.  If you have questions about what courses are transferable, please visit USC's articulation website.

Are architecture classes from another university or community college transferable? Is there an architecture articulation agreement between my school and USC?
Although we do review all transcripts to determine placement, most architecture courses are not transferable for credit. In conjunction to the transcript, the portfolio will be evaluated to determine if advanced placement is possible.  It is advised not to follow another university's articulation agreement or list of suggested courses.

There are Architecture courses listed on the articulation agreement for my school.  Will they transfer for credit?
Courses listed on the articulation agreement will transfer for elective credit, but not major/subject credit.

What standardized tests are required for admission?  Are high school transcripts required?
Students with fewer than 30 USC-transferable semester units must submit scores from the SAT I or the ACT.  High school transcripts are required from all applicants.

What is the minimum GPA?
There is no minimum requirement or absolute "cutoff" for grades, class rank or test scores. Transfer students admitted to fall 2006 averaged a 3.5 cumulative college GPA. The portfolio is a significant factor in determining admission to the School of Architecture. USC evaluates prospective students through an individualized, comprehensive review process that takes many factors into account.

Are USC’s admission requirements different for non-California students?
No. Admission requirements are the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence. Also, because USC is a private university, all students are charged the same tuition and fee rates.

Can I get a credit evaluation before I apply to USC?
Unfortunately, we receive too many inquiries and transfer applications to do a credit evaluation for each of them. However, an unofficial checklist of general education courses and pre-major requirements can be obtained by attending one of USC’s Transfer Days or by meeting with a USC representative when he or she visits your California community college. Your college transfer counselors can also help review our articulation agreements and admission policies.

When will I receive a credit evaluation of my work?
Admitted students will receive a transfer credit report before registering for their first USC semester. It will indicate your transferable courses, the number of transferable units, your transfer GPA, which general education categories have been met, and what will transfer as a USC equivalent course. Credit evaluations can only be completed using official transcripts.

Can I transfer classes taken pass/no pass or credit/no credit?
Taking a required course pass/no pass is discouraged and may affect your admission to USC. However, a USC degree including transferred work may include as many as 24 semester units taken pass/no pass, including up to four units of general education course work. Composition courses may not be taken pass/no pass. “Pass/No Pass” is a student-chosen option when the course is offered for a grade; if a course is only offered Credit/No Credit, the limits do not apply.