USC's High School Summer Program—Should You Apply?
The Benefits of Participating in Pre-College Programs
Pre-college programs allow students to explore academic interests in a structured environment, develop essential skills, and gain insights into university-level coursework. By joining a pre-college program during your summer break, you will demonstrate your commitment to learning and your ability to handle advanced coursework to college admissions officers. Additionally, these programs often provide opportunities for personal growth, networking, and exposure to potential career paths.
University of Southern California High School Summer Program Overview
The University of Southern California (USC) High School Summer Program offers four-week courses that are designed to engage high school students as they experience USC’s campus life. The courses are interactive and more challenging than the accelerated classes your high school might offer. To ensure you can give your full attention to your chosen course, students are not allowed to take more than one. Though 2025 program dates haven’t been announced yet, the 2024 program ran from June 16 to July 13.
Structure and Curriculum
The USC High School Summer Program offers courses at USC's main campus in Los Angeles and offers a variety of academic courses and recreational activities like ice cream socials and scavenger hunts, as well as field trips to Disneyland and Santa Monica Beach. Students may live on campus or commute.
Curriculum
The subjects of study in 2024 were:
Architecture
Business
Engineering and Information Technology
Global Studies
Communication and Journalism
Performing Arts and Music
Pre-health and Science
Pre-law
Writing and Critical Thinking
Courses in these fields included Creative Writing Workshop, Psychological Science and Society, and Exploring Entrepreneurship. Each course will typically involve lectures, discussions, and project-based work. You will attend class for 5-6 hours every day. You may choose to receive three units of elective credit at the end of the program.
Costs
You will have to pay a $65 nonrefundable application fee and a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit upon acceptance, which will be applied toward the total cost.
The total cost for different categories of students is:
Domestic commuter: $7,482
Domestic residential: $10,480
International: $11,085
Typical Day
Classes run from Monday to Friday. Here’s the daily schedule:
9 AM – 12 PM: classes
12 – 1:30 PM: lunch break
1:30 – 3:30 PM: classes
In the evenings and on weekends, you will participate in fun activities like game nights and talent shows. Some classes require field trips that return late at night. Commuter students are also required to attend Saturday recreational trips unless given an excused absence.
Eligibility and Application
The USC High School Summer Program is open to high school students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 17, 2025. Both domestic and international students may apply.
To apply, you have to submit:
A 300-500 word essay answering the prompt available on the application portal
A letter of recommendation form filled by a teacher, counselor, or mentor
High school transcript uploaded by a school administrator
International students must also demonstrate English proficiency by meeting one of the criteria listed here.
Application Deadlines: The summer 2025 application deadline has not been released yet. The 2024 deadlines were:
Domestic: May 3, 2024
International: March 29, 2024
Pros and Cons of the USC High School Summer Program
Pros
Academic Excellence: The program provides access to USC’s high-quality education, allowing students to explore advanced topics and engage with faculty.
Exposure to College Life: On-campus participants get a firsthand look at university life, including dorm living, campus resources, and the overall collegiate environment.
Networking Opportunities: Students have the chance to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, USC faculty, and industry professionals. Since USC’s summer courses emphasize active participation, you can expect to leave with better communication skills and more confidence.
Prestigious Institution: Being part of USC’s summer program can add value to a student's resume and application, showcasing their ability to succeed in a rigorous academic setting.
Cons
Cost: The program can be expensive, and no financial aid is offered.
Intensity: The workload and academic rigor may be challenging for some students since students attend 5-6 hours of university-level class every day.
Limited Duration: The program’s short duration of 4 weeks may not allow for deep exploration of topics, which might be less comprehensive compared to longer-term academic programs.
Limited Slots: Admission to the program is rolling, and slots may fill up before applications close.
Our Review
The USC High School Summer Program is a valuable opportunity for highly motivated students looking to advance their academic interests and gain exposure to college-level coursework. You will benefit from instruction by USC faculty, participating in courses more challenging than those at your high school.
However, the cost and intensity of the program may be significant considerations for potential participants. Despite these drawbacks, the program's strengths—such as its academic rigor and networking opportunities—make it an appealing choice for students aiming to enhance their college applications and gain meaningful educational experiences. Overall, the USC High School Summer Program is worth considering for students committed to their academic and personal growth.
Finally, if you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML this summer, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
AI + Medicine: Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
AI + Finance: Through the AI + Finance program, students gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in the financial field. They get a chance to engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects using AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns using past data, forecasting stock prices, and more. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
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