Schedule a Transfer Success Consultation
Want to know how to access and take advantage of transfer student specific resources? Schedule a transfer success consultation today!
Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to learn more about the process of transferring to the university. If you are admitted, we will meet you at orientation.
Admissions for Gamecock Gateway students planning to transfer to USC are also handled by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
We know how confusing the transition to a new university can be. That is why the Student Success Center has specific services for transfer students.
- Learn how to navigate campus life
- Get help developing your path towards graduation and beyond
- Gain academic skills to help you accomplish your educational goals
- Use campus resources to enrich your educational experiences
- Connect with transfer student organizations
We don't want to lose you, but we understand how important it is to find the academic environment that best suits you.
The Dean of Students Office can assist you If you are thinking about withdrawing from the university.
Spring 2024 Transfer Winter Welcome Series
Five events for transfer students as they start at USC! Attend 3 of the 5 events (must sign in) and be entered into a drawing to win a prize pack!
Monday, January 8 @ 12 PM - 2 PM
Tuesday, January 9 @ 10 AM - 12 PM
Wednesday, January 10 @ 3 PM - 5 PM
Thomas Cooper Library
SSC staff will be available to chat about what to do and what NOT to do as you start the new spring semester! Grab a doughnut and a beverage while you are chatting! Free and no RSVP needed! Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Thursday, January 11 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Student Success Center - Mezzanine, Thomas Cooper Library
USC is excited that you have joined the Carolina family! Join us for a transfer student welcome dinner to meet other transfer students and learn about opportunities to get connected on campus. There will also be trivia with prizes! Transfer student welcome packets and academic planners will be available for each participant while supplies last! Dinner is FREE, but RSVP is required. Please RSVP here. Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Wednesday, January 17 @ 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Student Success Center - Mezzanine, Thomas Cooper Library
Join with other transfer students and show your artistic creativity during craft night! Good artistic skills are not an actual requirement. This is free but an RSVP is required. Please RSVP here. Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Thursday, January 18 @ 6 PM, Online
Living off campus? Trying to figure out where to park and how to get to campus every day? We may not have all the answers, but we do have some tips for making a plan on how to navigate campus! Please note that meeting link may not be sent if you register less than 2 hours before the event. This is free but an RSVP is required. Please RSVP here to get the meeting link. Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Thursday, January 25 @ 11 AM - 2 PM
Greene Street
Stop by the Association of Transfer Students table to learn more about the organization and how to get involved! Be sure to sign the sign-in sheet at the ATS table!
National Transfer Student Week
Save the Date! Celebrating Transfer Students October 23-27, 2023. See the full schedule of events below!
Sweet on Transfers
11 AM - 2 PM | Greene Street
Transfer students are encouraged to stop by the Student Success Center table on Greene Street to pick up a sweet treat, talk to SSC staff and learn more about SSC resources for transfer students! Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Transfer Student Fall Fest Social
6 PM - 8 PM | RHUU Ballroom A
All transfer students are invited to join in for pumpkin painting, food, and other fall fun! Sponsored by the Association of Transfer Students, Tau Sigma Honor Society, and the Student Success Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Sweet on Transfers
11 AM - 2 PM | Davis Field 1– Spot 4
Transfer students are encouraged to stop by the Student Success Center table on Greene Street to pick up a sweet treat, talk to SSC staff and learn more about SSC resources for transfer students! Hosted by the Student Success Center
Academic Success Tips
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | RHUU 203
Need help preparing for classes and sharpening your study skills? Join for this session full of tips and advice for a successful academic semester. Hosted by the Student Success Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Getting the Most Out of Your Campus Engagement Workshop
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Virtual Workshop
Getting engaged and connected to campus with meaningful experiences can help you build a robust My USC Experience transcript and earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction. Come and learn more about exploring opportunities on campus and how GLD works! Hosted by the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Mutual Expectations Workshop
11:40 AM - 12:55 PM | RHUU Ballroom
Students, Faculty, and Staff are invited to join for free lunch and conversation about important topics to the campus community. Specific topic TBA. Faculty and Staff may RSVP on the CTE webpage.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Internships and Career Planning for Transfer Students
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Online Workshop
Thinking about internships and what career planning you should be doing after you transfer? Join us to hear from experts from the Career Center on what to do now that you are at USC! Hosted by the Career Center.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Fall 2023 Transfer Student Welcome Events
Tuesday, August 22 @ 3 PM
Meet on the Mezz
Join other new transfer students on this tour to find your way around campus! RSVP Required!
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Wednesday, August 23 @ 1:30 PM
Location TBD
Join other new transfer students to learn how the student ticketing process works for sporting events at USC! Such as football! RSVP required.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Wednesday, August 23 @ 5 PM – 7 PM
Student Success Center (Top Floor of Thomas Cooper Library)
USC is excited that you have joined the Carolina Family! Join us for a transfer student welcome dinner and trivia to meet other transfer students and learn about opportunities to get connected on campus. Dinner is free but an RSVP is required.
RSVP CLOSED
Wednesday, August 23
Student Success Center (Top Floor of Thomas Cooper Library)
The traditional welcome event for all new students is First Night Carolina! Following the Transfer Welcome Dinner, new transfer students can walk over to the First Night Carolina together and participate as a group. No RSVP required! Just meet in the SSC (top floor of the Thomas Cooper Library) at 6:45pm to walk over together!
Monday, August 28 & Tuesday, August 29 @ 6 PM – 8 PM
Student Success Center (Top Floor of Thomas Cooper Library)
Science shows that writing things down- goals, notes, your schedule, deadlines - helps you remember and achieve. Whether you want to plan electronically or physically, we have the tools for you! Students will receive a free planner, access to a time-blocking app, and learn strategies for how to make the best use of your time. Hosted by the SSC.
Wednesday, August 30
Greene Street
Your chance to learn about some of the 500+ student organizations on campus! Be sure to stop by the Association for Transfer Students table to learn how to connect with other transfer students!
Wednesday, August 30 @ 5 PM – 7 PM
Student Success Center (Top Floor of Thomas Cooper Library)
Join with other transfer students and show your artistic creativity during craft night! Good artistic skills are not an actual requirement. This is free but an RSVP is required.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Thursday, August 31 @ 6 PM
Virtual Workshop
Living off campus? Trying to figure out where to park and how to get to campus everyday? We may not have all the answers, but we do have some tips for making a plan on how to navigate campus! RSVP required.
Reserve Your Spot! (RSVP LINK)
Transfer Student Organizations
Tau Sigma is a national honor society designed exclusively to "recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students”.
Tau Sigma membership is by invitation only.
If you are a transfer student to the USC Columbia Campus, was enrolled in 12 or more credit hours during your first semester, and have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher during your first semester, be on the lookout for an invitation to join Tau Sigma.
The Association of Transfer Students is a student organization for transfer students created by transfer students. The purpose of the Association of Transfer Students is to assist transfer students as they transition to the University of South Carolina and foster a community that will support them academically, socially, and emotionally.
Connect with the Association of Transfer Students on Garnet Gate
Additional Resources for Transfer Students
Transfer Student FAQ's
Log into Self Service Carolina, click the Account Information tab. From there, you will see options to view/print your bill and options to pay your bill.
Parking can definitely be unique at USC, but luckily, the Parking and Transportation Services offer a variety of options. A well-used option are metered spots which are available throughout campus. They are first-come, first-served and require self-pay. Another option is to consider purchasing a general parking permit which will allow you to park at designated lots. Garage parking is an option, but some garages require purchase of a pass while others charge hourly (e.g. Bull St. Gate 3, Pendleton). Visit the Parking and Transportation Services website to learn more.
There are a number of meal plan options available to students at different price points! You can see information about the options on the Dining website. You can then add the plan that you may want in Self-Service Carolina.
As an incoming transfer student, you may have the option to live on or off campus. Please be aware that on-campus housing fills very fast and the application typically opens beginning November.
Registering for classes is an online process completed via Self Service Carolina. You must first be advised by your USC academic advisor and have any holds removed from your account before registering. Visit the University Registrar website for steps on registering for classes.
Yes, all USC Columbia students must have health insurance. You have the option to stay enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan or you can waive the plan if you choose to use your own health insurance. You must submit proof of your own health insurance to opt out. For more information, visit the Student Health Services website.
Yes! The COMET is the operating campus transit and is free with your Carolina Card. There are 30 locations across the Columbia campus with 10 daytime routes and two evening routes. Visit the Parking and Transportation Services website for more information as well as availability dates and times.
As a USC student, you are eligible for student ticketing if you meet the following criteria:
- University of South Carolina-Columbia Students enrolled in 12+ hours
- University of South Carolina Undergraduate Students taking 6+ hours who paid the Athletic Events Fee to the Bursar by January 23
- Graduate students taking at least 1 hour are eligible to pay the Athletic Event Fee to the Bursar by January 23
Visit the Student Ticketing website for more information.
SO MUCH! Use your Carolina Card to access many buildings on campus such as the gym and the library, parking garages, and your meal plan if applicable. It can also be used for printing in the library. You should always have your Carolina Card on you if you are on campus!
Free tutoring is offered to students through the Student Success Center (SSC). Call the SSC or make an appointment via Navigate. You can also look into Supplemental Instruction, writing support and so much more in the SSC! All for FREE!
The Student Success Center has a website dedicated to helping you navigate life at USC as a transfer student. The SSC hosts events for transfer students and there is even a transfer student success consultation available! There are two student organizations just for transfer students and many more resources!
Utilize the course equivalency table on the Registrar's website as well as Degree Works, which shows you your personal graduation plan. Additionally, check in with your advisor to make sure your credits are accounted for.
Handshake is the web platform that USC uses to post job advertisements for both on and off campus jobs. Visit the link below, log in with your USC credentials, and view all there is! It is strongly recommended that you create your Handshake account early after arrival at USC and be sure to make an appointment with the Career Center to talk about your plans!
First take time to research what Fraternity and Sorority life is like here at the University of South Carolina. Make sure you are aware of all the benefits and responsibilities (e.g. costs, time commitment) that come with it. Recruitment/Membership Intake varies among each council. Visit the Fraternity and Sorority Life website to learn more.
Garnet Gate is the university's online home for hundreds of campus organizations. Log in and view all the organizations the campus has to offer! If you are a transfer student we recommend joining the Association of Transfer Students (ATS).
Transfer Champions
The Transfer Champion program provides recognition to USC faculty and staff who have made a positive impact on a transfer student's experience while at USC. Transfer students are encouraged to recognize faculty/staff on the USC campus who they would like to thank for their support and the SSC will send them a personalized thank you note!