Determine Your Status

You will be required to attend one of several unique Orientation sessions. You can determine which one you need to go to by considering several factors. 

1. Admission Status
   If you are a high school student or graduate who has never attended a post-secondary institution, you are classified as a freshman student. If you are coming to South Carolina to complete your undergraduate education after attending another post-secondary institution, you are classified as a transfer student. 
2. Starting Term
   Whether freshman or transfer student, students can begin their first semester at South Carolina during different times in the academic year: 
   
   • You are a spring admit if you are beginning your first semester at USC-Columbia in January. You will attend Spring Term Orientation. 
   • You are a summer admit if you are beginning your first semester at USC-Columbia in May or June. You will attend Summer Term Orientation. 
   • You are a fall admit if you are beginning your first semester at USC-Columbia in August. You will attend Fall Term Orientation. If you are unable to attend a Fall Term session, you must attend a session in August.
   • If you are a transfer student participating in early advisement, you will attend a Summer Term Orientation, or a transfer session during the month of June. This is regardless of your starting term.
3. Status within Special Programs
   The University of South Carolina offers a variety of special programs: the South Carolina Honors College, Capstone Scholars, Gamecock Gateway, the Opportunity Scholars Program, Palmetto Pathways, Galen Health Fellows and International Accelerator Program, among others. Please check your admissions materials to verify if you are a part of any of these as they may influence which Orientation session you need to attend. 

Things You'll Need to Know

Each New Student Orientation session has limited spacing and will close for reservations once full. We recommend planning accordingly around graduations, vacations, work commitments, etc. if there is a specific date you would prefer to attend. 

Freshman students admitted during the summer or fall semesters are required to pay a $200 admissions deposit to confirm enrollment before gaining access to New Student Orientation dates and registration. This fee is separate from the Orientation registration fee. 

Transfer students do not need to pay their admissions deposit in order to gain access to Orientation session dates and registration. Please note that electronic check payments will be held for six (6) business days while the check clears. Availability is first come, first served.