USC Summer Programs is a four-week pre-college program on the University of Southern California's main campus in Los Angeles. Students take college-level courses taught by USC faculty and working professionals, earning 3 transferable USC university elective credits.
Program highlights:
- Courses combine lectures with group work, hands-on lab experience, field trips, and guest speakers
- Students experience campus life as "Summer Trojans": on-campus housing, dining, social activities, and off-campus trips
- Wide range of course options spanning arts, media, STEM, business, social science, and humanities
2027 timing, checked November 4, 2026: The main program page gives June 21–July 16, 2027. The admissions page also requires attendance from June 21; the FAQ instead says June 22. This start-date discrepancy remains unresolved. An exact application opening day is not stated in the reviewed pages.
All application tasks are due at noon PT on March 12 for international students and May 7 for domestic students. These are 2027 application deadlines, separate from the non-refundable $1,000 seat deposit. The application fee is $85 and cannot be waived. No program financial aid is offered.
2027 costs: USC estimates $8,371 for domestic commuters, $11,946 for domestic residents and $12,602 in USC charges for international participants. The international estimate includes $370 I-20 administration and $286 health insurance; applicable visa and SEVIS charges are additional. Travel and personal spending are extra.
The commuter guidance permits commuting for participants whose primary residence is in Los Angeles or Orange County, California. International participants must live on campus. Commuter meals are purchased separately.