USC Summer Program

USC Summer Program

Summer Programs have always been great tools to help high school students achieve their goals of higher education and guide them as they prepare for that next big step. The USC Summer Program stands out among the programs from the best colleges in the United States, with 2 and 4-week courses that this year will be completely online due to the current Corona virus climate.

The students that are accepted into the program, whose deadline has been extended until May 8th to begin classes on June 15th, will take part in demanding and in-depth online courses, get access to professors at the top of their respective fields, and will get an extensive overview of their academic interests. It’s a unique opportunity to get inside access to what USC is like, while still in high school. You get to meet instructors, students, and get a sense of what college classes are like, while digging deep into your area of choice.

Located in Los Angeles, California, the University of Southern California is one of the leading universities when it comes to private research and houses an exceptional liberal arts college, a medical center, and some of the best arts schools in the United States. Applying for it Summer Program is competitive, but it is definitely worth it in the long run.

At AdmissionSight we believe that the USC Summer Program’s combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, guest lecturers, and field trips, makes this specific program stand out among all of the summer programs being offered by different universities. Students get real life experience in their field of studies, as if they were taking college level classes. There are even courses that offer USC credits.

Furthermore, summer programs provide an insight into the industry that the student is interested in that probably can’t be achieved any other way. They can immerse themselves in the area of their choice, talk to professionals, engage with peers with similar interests, and spend a summer solely focused on their craft, without any other distractions or classes taking their focus away from their course of choice.

The USC Summer Program does not last all summer. So students can also enjoy the summer or take on a part-time job after the completion of their course. But they will have learned and gotten an experience like no other, which will also be reflected in their transcripts.

Universities care not only about grades, but also about extracurriculars. They want to know that students are interested in their respective fields, even beyond the classroom. It’s never too early to start preparing for college, and making sure you have what it takes to get admitted into the school of your choice. Getting into college has never been more competitive, and summer programs are another way to make your application stand out. Spending a summer at the USC Summer Program is definitely a great way to show that you want to pursue a career in your field of choice!

The 2 Types of Programs

• There’s a 4-week Credit Program running from June 15th to July 10, 2020. This program is an immersive experience in the area of the student’s choice. At the end, students receive 3 units of USC elective credit. Students can apply to three courses but can only register for one course. However, all of them are equally challenging and engaging.
• There’s a 2-week Non Credit Program running from June 15th to June 26th, 2020, and at the end students receive a certificate of completion.

USC Summer Program Course Options

The USC Summer Program offers a vast list of course options so everyone can find a subject they’re interested in exploring. The different areas include:

• Architecture

Students get a chance to immerse themselves in deep thinking about architecture and the design process. Through virtual classes, this program will challenge students to draw, imagine and build while acquiring insights into the profession. This course is oriented towards students seeking a career in Architecture and Design.

The program includes virtual classes, virtual field trips, classes with top professionals in the field, help building a portfolio, and skills training.
So what skills do students actually develop during the program?

• Three-dimensional and spatial awareness and understanding
• Design and composition fundamentals
• Vocabulary in relation to basic ordering principles
• Sketching, drawing, and photography
• Model-making
• Design methods and tools
• Business

The Business program has 2 courses:

Exploring Entrepreneurship: If you ever wondered what it would take to start your own business, then this is the course for you. Blending theory and practice, this course explains what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
So what will you get from this course?

• Insights from guest lecturers and leading entrepreneurs
• Virtual field trips
• Real-life practice by creating your own business
• Team work experience as you learn to pitch in front of an audience

You’ll study accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, how to be creative and innovate, how to develop business plans, ethics, how to brand yourself, and how to build your network.

Introduction to Business: you will learn how to run and manage a business. You’ll learn marketing, operations, finance, leadership, organization, ethics, and accounting.
So what will you get from this course?

• How different departments work both independently and together
• You’ll learn how to read and analyze different types of financial statements
• You’ll learn about for-profit businesses and social missions
• How to operate efficiently and how to handle customer service
• How to market and promote a product or a service
• How to finance the launch of a business or the expansion of one
• Engineering & Information Technology

The Engineering and Information Technology program has 2 courses:

3D Character and Design and Creation: If you’re interested in learning about Designing, Modeling and Texturing 3D Video Games and Cinematic Characters, and want a career in the 3D Design world, then this is the course for you!
So what will you learn from this course?

• Character design, character story, and world
• 2D concept designs and 3D modeling techniques
• You’ll get to design real projects to apply what you’re being taught
• You’ll create your own character
• Edge loops and modeling techniques for deformation

Explore Engineering: If you want to learn through a virtual environment mixed with hand-on simulations, then this is the program for you!
So what will you get to learn from this course?

• You’ll design, test and build your own project
• You’ll do research
• You’ll design a course imitating escaping from a building with damage
• You’ll program a virtual robot
• You’ll design a truss bridge
• You’ll create a monitoring building
• You’ll get to design, build, and launch a three-stage model rocket
• You’ll design a mechanized water recycling system
• You’ll study robotics, computer engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and aerospace engineering.
• Global Studies

With everything that is currently happening to the world with the Covid-19 crisis, there’s nothing more pressing than studying public health.
So what will you learn in this course?

• How the current crisis of Covid-19 happened, what will happen next, and how it might end
• You’ll study the different factors that played a role in the spread of the virus
• You’ll study marginalized communities at a clear disadvantage
• Through investigations, you’ll learn to solve and investigate outbreaks
• You’ll get an introduction into the studies of global health and social justice
• You’ll learn about pandemic responses

You’ll like this course if you’re interested in the subjects of medicine, public health, anthropology, international relations, business, economics, law, and others.

USC Summer Program for Journalism

If you like to report and produce stories about sports, politics, religions, the arts, and culture, then this is the course for you!
So what will you be doing in this course?

• You’ll write journal entries
• You’ll write profiles for different people
• You’ll learn about text, video and audio platforms
• You’ll learn about the digital era of journalism
• You’ll conduct interviews
• You’ll connect with people and discuss the current pandemic and how it has been documented by the media
• You’ll work with social media
• You’ll develop your photography and video skills
• Performing Arts

Are you interested in the theater and the dramatic arts? Then this is the program for you! This course will be a complete new challenge, as you’ll work on your craft virtually.
So what will you study in this course?

• Scene study, movement, voice, camera acting, monologues and auditions
• You’ll get to take virtual field trips
• You’ll get to create a final virtual performance, unique in its kind
• You’ll have classes on text analysis, dramaturgy, improvisation, and acting
• Pre-Health & Science

The Pre-Health & Science program has 3 courses:

The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience: If you’re interested in healthcare, psychology, and behavioral sciences, then this is the course for you!
So what will you learn?

• The Anatomy and function of the brain
• Common and unusual aspects of the brain
• Normal and abnormal brain development
• How we think, learn, and express ourselves
• Diseases and disorders that affect the brain
• You’ll take virtual visits to laboratories
• You’ll study neuroethics

Psychological Science & Society: Are you interested in understanding people, how they behave, and what it means to be human? Then this is the course for you!
So what will you get from this course?

• You’ll learn what it’s like to be a psychological scientist
• You’ll have classes, meditation exercises, games, and psychological tests
• You’ll study different research methods, personality, mindsets and motivation, values, leadership, the mind-body connection, narcotics, games and therapy, happiness, and relationships.

The Science of Food, Nutrition, and the Biological World: Are you interested in learning about food through the study of molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and nutrition? Then this is the course for you!
So what will you be studying?

• The science behind foods and how you can prep them at home
• The biology of plants, animals, and microorganisms
• Genetics and GMOs
• How agriculture impacts the environment
• Nutrition
• Taste and smell
• Pre-Law

Are you interested in understanding how lawyers operate and think? Then this is the course for you!
So what will you do in this course?

• You’ll watch court proceedings
• You’ll create a portfolio of documents
• You’ll analyze cases
• You’ll learn legal reasoning, legal writing, and oral advocacy
• You’ll study the court systems
• You’ll learn about law school admissions
• Writing & Critical Thinking

The Writing & Critical Thinking program has 2 courses:

Creative Writing Workshop: Do you want to get your creative juices flowing while participating in a writing workshop from the comfort of your own home? Then this is the course for you!
So what will you do in this course?

• You’ll learn about personal essays, creative non-fiction, flash fiction, and short stories
• You’ll get to practice and work on your writing voice
• You’ll create a portfolio
• You’ll get to work with other writers
• You’ll get great constructive feedback

Ethics and 21st Century: Business, Politics, & Technology: Do you ever wonder how to live in this modern world after the 21st century revolution? Then this is the course for you!
So what topics will you tackle?

• How to be more reflective
• Critical thinking
• Argumentation
• Writing
• Debates and so much more!

Online Learning

Even though classes will take place only online, every effort is being made to make sure students enjoy the same level of excellence the USC Summer Programs are known for, and end the summer having had a unique experience that will prepare them for the future.

There will be chances to interact and meet other students online, with virtual activities and meet ups, so that students can connect with some of their peers even if it is just online for now. But they will hopefully become friends and classmates in the future.

USC Summer Program Schedules and Activities

Classes take place Monday through Friday, with some live classes as well as independent studies and group workshops. Zoom and Blackboard will be the two platforms used.

Application Requirements

The USC Summer Program is one of the best in the nation. So at AdmissionSight we encourage students to apply as early as possible, as spots fill up fast. There’s a rigorous admissions process. In order to qualify:

• Students need to have completed at least 9th grade by June 14th, 2020.
• Students need to be adhering to a strict curriculum.
• Students must attend all classes.
• International students are also welcome to apply.

If you’re committed to getting serious about your future career, and you want to take that next step, then don’t hesitate to apply to the USC Summer Program. Here at AdmissionSight we believe that it will definitely give you a leg up when it’s time to start applying for colleges down the line, and it will also help you feel more confident, having had an inside look at what your career of choice will be like. What do you have to lose? Start applying now!