Application Procedures (New Students)
Freshmen, new graduate students and transferring students may apply for housing once they have been admitted to the university and have been issued a 10-digit USC student identification number. You may submit a housing application before sending your Enrollment Commitment Deposit form.
To apply, click on the Application tab on our online portal and enter the term you are applying for (academic year 2009–2010, for those starting in August 2009, or Spring 2010, for those starting in January 2010). Students admitted for Spring 2010 can submit applications beginning July 1, 2009.
Step 1: Application
Begin your application by providing us with information we need to determine what housing is appropriate for you, such as your class standing, marital status, and any physical or medical needs we should consider when making your assignment.
If you want to use the Roommate Search and Message feature of our online application process be sure to select “No” when asked “Do you wish to be excluded from the Roommate Search and Message Process”. You will also need to create a screen name that you will use in the roommate-matching process.
Step 2: List Housing Preferences
Please select your category; newly admitted students should choose “New to USC”. You must list five housing preferences in order of interest. You may also indicate a special interest program for which you want to be considered. If you are requesting a special interest program, be certain to list the corresponding building as your first housing preference. You may wish to review the building descriptions in the Living at USC brochure or on this website before entering your preferences. You can return and update your preferences up until the time assignments are made.
Step 3: Pay Application Fee
USC Housing cannot process your application before receiving your $30 non-refundable application fee. This fee cannot be waived. Our website is set up to take payment by Visa, MasterCard or Discover card. When your payment has been accepted, we will send you a confirmation e-mail.
Although you have the option to go to Step 4 and select a roommates, once you pay the application fee your application is complete and you are eligible for assignment. When you have been assigned, we will notify you by e-mail and direct you back to the online application to complete the steps in the Contracts section.
Step 4: Select Roommates (Optional)
If you would like to request a specific roommate, you can add that person to your application by entering his or her screen name and birth date or 10-digit USC ID number. To be considered, your requests must be mutual and your housing preferences exactly the same. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed.
If you do not have a specific person in mind, you can conduct an online search for potential roommates and be presented with possible matches based on the information provided in your Profile. You will be able to e-mail potential roommates. If you meet someone you would like to request, you can reopen your application and request them. Your roommate request can be updated up until the time assignments are made.
| Application and Assigments Timeline |
| Late January |
First Housing Applications Mailed Out with Admission Letters |
| May 1 |
Application Deadline for: Guaranteed Freshman Housing, Freshman Roommate-Matching Eligibility and Special Interest Communities |
| Mid - May |
E-mail notification of First Round of Freshman Assignments |
| June 2 |
Reassignment List Begins |
| Early June |
Notification by E-mail of 2nd Round of Freshman Assignments |
| June 15 |
Last Day for New Students to Cancel with $400 Refund |
| July 17 |
Reassignment List Ends |
| Early August |
Move-in Information Mailed |
| August 19 |
Move-In Day |