Countdown to Columbia recording 

Host: USC Graduate School & Current Graduate Students

Welcome to USC! We are rolling out the garnet carpet for our newly admitted students. Join us for an informative session as we guide you through the next steps to join the Carolina community.  

Managing Your Time in Graduate School recording

Host: Student Success Center Graduate Student Support
Josh Dunn, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Success

Ever feel like there is more to do than there are hours in the day? This workshop will overview habits and strategies for managing your time in graduate school and beyond. Participants will learn techniques for prioritizing tasks, creating effective routines, avoiding procrastination, cultivating work/life balance, and other important aspects of effective time management. 

USC Career Center Unlocked recording

Host: USC Career Center
Nigel Smith, Manager, Graduate Student Advising 

This workshop provides practical strategies to articulate skills, explore career options, and make informed choices. Learn how to use key career resources, including Big Interview, Handshake, and CareerShift, to support your job search and professional growth. Take the next step in your career with tools and guidance from your career center tools. 

Q&A with International Scholar & Student Support recording

Host: International Scholar & Student Support 

Join us for a Q&A session hosted by the ISSS! We are here to answer your questions about the services and support we offer.  Don't miss out on this chance to get the information you need in a relaxed and welcoming environment!  We are excited to answer questions about expenses and cost of living.  Any questions related to funding should be directed to your intended program. Additionally, review the Tuition and Funding resource for helpful information.

The USC Graduate Student Experience recording

Host: USC Graduate School & Current Graduate Students

Welcome to the next exciting chapter of your academic journey! Whether you're coming straight from your undergraduate studies or have taken time away from academia, this session will provide valuable insights, tips, and resources to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with graduate school at USC. 

Planning for Success recording 

Host: USC Graduate School
Matt Klopfenstein, PhD, Director of Professional Development 

Academic and professional success at USC involves more than your courses and research. This session will provide an overview of the many graduate student resources at USC to help you develop key professional development competencies beyond the program-specific training you will receive as a student.

Thriving as an Online Student recording

Host: USC Graduate School & Current Graduate Students

Navigating the challenges of graduate school can be difficult, especially in an online environment. Current graduate students will discuss effective strategies for thriving as an online graduate student. From managing your time and staying motivated to building a supportive network and finding work-life balance, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed academically and personally. 

1.  My immunization hold has not been removed even though the required documentation has been marked as 'submitted' and 'completed'.  Is there a reason?

• You need to contact Allergy and Immunization.  See the contact information on their website.   

2.  Should we also reach out to the program director for guidance on the registration process?

• Yes, contact your Graduate Director for next steps in the advisement and registration process.  

3.  When can I register for classes?

• You should receive an email from your program with information about when to register. If you don't, I recommend reaching out to your program for the registration schedule

4.  When can we begin registering for classes and is there a website in which it shows the classes that we must sign up for our specific program/department?

• Please check with your program, as each one has its own set of requirements and guidelines.

5.  When I check my student profile, there are 4 registration notices and 0 holds. Among the 4 registration notices, 2 are ✅ and other 2 says time tickets and advisement hold. What do they refer to? The advisement hold says 'you must be advised before registering

• You should be able to look and see what the 2 registration holds are. If not, you may refer to this registration holds checklist

1. Is the residency certification form available?

• Yes, the Summer and Fall 2025 forms are now available.  Visit the University Registrar for more information. 

2.  When does the semester begin?

• The University Registrar sets the official academic calendar (current and upcoming academic years are available).

3.  How long after being admitted can one expect to receive an award letter?

• Application review and award schedules are at the discretion of the department. Contact your department or program director with questions about the schedule. 

1.  I have a degree from USC. Do I need to order official USC transcripts? 

• No. We have your USC transcripts, but you need to order official transcripts for any institution attended after USC.  

2.  My admission letter has transcript conditions.  What do I need to do?

• You should have your official transcripts sent directly to the Graduate School from every university attended or bring them with you in a sealed envelope when you arrive at the university.  
• Transcripts must be sent from every institution attended for course credit, even if a degree was not awarded.
• Documentation includes final grade sheets, a statement of degree(s) awarded and the date each degree was conferred.
• International universities often have separate grade sheets and certificates showing proof of degree; we need both documents.   Please arrange for final degree certificates, not provisional certificates, to be submitted as official proof of degree completion.
• You are required to submit your official transcripts by mid-term of your first semester to avoid any registration issues.  Please note that you will not be able to enroll in your second semester if the Graduate School has not received your official transcripts.
• See Official Transcriptss for more information. 

3.  Will it be acceptable to bring sealed transcripts to the Graduate School in person at the start of the semester?

• Yes, you can bring them to The Graduate School in this circumstance.  

4.  Would we receive confirmation from the Graduate School that my transcript was received if sent electronically? 

• No, you will not receive a separate notification. However, if there is a registration hold due to your transcript, please contact our office to verify that all required information has been submitted.

5.  Are official translation of international transcripts and diplomas required?

• Official translations are appreciated but not required.

1.  How can I get access to USC official email? 

• See the Division of IT’s Student Resources page for information about setting up your email and claiming your university account.

2.  Do we need to wait to finish the new student checklist once we get our school email?

• No, you should start on it as soon as you accept admission.

3.  When I will be able to access USC central authentication service (CAS)?

• To access the CAS you need your student email account and it should already be activated. If you receive an ACCESS DENIED message, please visit myaccount.sc.edu and click the Account Settings field to setup multifactor authentication.  Step-by-step help to set up multifactor authentication can be found on DoIT’s website.

1.  Do you have suggestions for finding affordable housing in a good neighborhood?

• Yes, Off-Campus Living and Neighborhood Relations has resources to help you find off-campus accommodations, sublease or roommate options, and assist local residents with off-campus living related issues.  There are also many student living apartments that have free shuttles that go to and from USC.

2.  What are the public transportation options for students, and how convenient are they?

• Visit Parking and Transportation Services for information about campus shuttles and rides around town.

3. Do you recommend getting a parking permit regardless of how far you live (unless you are walking distance)

• It depends on when you are on campus. Review the Students resource from Parking and Transportation Services for more information about permits.

4.  How is campus safety? 

Visit Law Enforcement and Safety for information.

1.  What assistantships or on-campus jobs are available during summer and/or academic year?

• Current students should work first with their program faculty and staff to learn of departmental opportunities;  they are your best source of information.
• Then, look for assistantship and job opportunities advertised or posted in these places:
       USC Career Center  (The Handshake portal opens for new students in mid-summer)
        Opportunities Bulletin Board

2.  Where can I find information about GTA/IA training?  

• The Center for Teaching Excellence empowers GTA/IAs to contribute to USC’s instructional mission and goals with resources to help them develop their teaching abilities, learn effective teaching strategies, and explore new classroom instruction techniques. Visit Graduate Student Teaching Development to learn more.

2.  Do I have to pay for the non-refundable fee before having access to the funding opportunities?

• No, you shouldn’t have to pay a fee to access funding opportunities. However, a fee may be associated with your program to show that you are committed to their program and ready to enroll.

1.  Will each department have their own orientation?

• Each department manages their own departmental orientation. There will also be a 1 credit university orientation course during the first 8 weeks of class that you can enroll in.  You will receive information about enrolling this summer.  

2.  How do I learn more about campus and Columbia before I arrive?

• View the Graduate Life section of our website and the Helpful Resources linked below!

Academic Calendar
Graduate Director
Transcripts
Claiming Student Email and Other IT Support
IT Service Desk
Graduate Student Off-Campus Living
Things to Do - Experience Columbia
Parking and Transportation
Columbia COMET
Estimated Costs to Attend
Tuition and Funding
National Fellowships
Graduate Teaching Assistants
USC Libraries - Graduate Student Guide
USC Student Health and Well-Being
Gamecock CommUnity Shop
USC Law Enforcement & Safety
RAVE Safety App
Emergency Loan