The Office of Orientation and Testing Services offers programs to help you make the most of your USC experience.  All of our Orientation programs are designed to assist you with the transition to University life, provide you with a time to work with someone from your academic area, as well as student leaders who will answer your questions and help guide you into your first semester.

 

While attending Orientation, you will meet with an academic advisor, register for classes, receive your Carolina Card (student ID), and learn about campus resources and University services and expectations.  Although there may be a moderate amount of walking throughout the day, a campus tour is not part of the Orientation schedule. If you would like a tour of campus, please contact the Visitor Center.

We are pleased to offer the following programs:

 

Summer School I Orientation is for students who are accepted for the Summer School I term.

 

Summer Orientation is designed for students entering during the Summer II session or in the Fall.  Summer Orientation 2007 will be held June 5 - July 6. Each session will last one full day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your college or major determines which days are available for you and your parent(s) to choose from. The number of new students at each orientation session is limited so academic advisor s can work with you more closely. 

Parent Orientation, only available in the summer, takes place at the same time as Student Orientation.  We encourage at least one parent per student to attend this parallel program so that they, too, can learn about the opportunities available at USC.  Faculty members, student services professionals, and USC Student Orientation Leaders will be available to assist both students and parents throughout the day.  Students and parents are urged to check out our outstanding bookstore while on campus, and take advantage of the textbook reservation program. 

 

August Orientation is for students entering during the Fall who did not have the opportunity to attend a Summer Orientation session.  This abbreviated session takes place from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. and allows you to meet with an advisor, register for classes, and learn general information about the University that will be helpful to you as a new student. 

 

August 2007 Orientation dates are August 20 for Transfers and August 21 for Freshmen.

 

January Orientation is for new students who are entering for the first time in the Spring semester and follows the same outline as August Orientation.

 

January 2008 Orientation dates are January 10 for Transfer and January 11 for Freshmen.

 

Placement Testing is offered in mathematics and foreign language (French, German, Latin, or Spanish*) to either prove proficiency or to ensure that students register for appropriate and challenging courses in which they will be successful.  These tests must be taken prior to Orientation and academic advisement.  All freshman and transfer students are required to take placement tests with the following exceptions:

- Students who have received scores of "3" or above on Advanced Placement calculus and/or foreign language tests (NOTE: official score reports must be sent to USC)

- Students who have taken a calculus course and earned a grade of "C" or better at their previous college or university

- Students who have never studied a foreign language or for whom it has been more than five years since they have studied a foreign language

 

*Students who have previously studied language other than French, German, Latin, or Spanish must arrange to take placement tests directly through the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

No matter which Orientation session you attend, we look forward to welcoming you as Carolinians-go Gamecocks!

The Orientation Staff