University of Southern CaliforniaMove-In Guide
Los Angeles, California
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1880🔗 www.usc.edu
USC's University Park campus centers on the Bovard Administration Building, completed in 1921 and named for the university's fourth president, standing beside the iconic "Tommy Trojan" statue sculpted from real USC football players and unveiled during the school's 50th Jubilee in 1930, with Fall 2026 undergraduate move-in split into separate windows to reduce building density and traffic.
Enrollment
21,023
Total Students
Freshman Class
5,256
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 16-19, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
10%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
All residents must book a move-in appointment through the USC Housing Portal in advance. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. McCarthy Honors College residents check in two days earlier, on Aug. 16-17; confirm your specific date and time through the Housing Portal given USC's multi-window move-in structure by class standing and housing type.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Undergraduates check in Sunday, August 16 through Wednesday, August 19 (appointments required, by class standing and housing type); graduate students check in separately on Monday, August 10.
- Check-in location
- Report to your assigned Customer Service Center (CSC) - located at University Gateway, University Village, University Park Campus, and North University Park Campus - where staff provide building information and further instructions.
- Parking
- Confirm current parking arrangements through the USC Housing Portal ahead of your scheduled appointment.
- What you'll receive
- Building information and further check-in instructions from Customer Service Center staff, after presenting your printed or digital QR code appointment confirmation along with a USC ID or government-issued ID.
- Vehicle restrictions
- No specific vehicle-type restrictions published; all residents must book a scheduled move-in appointment in advance through the Housing Portal.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
Residence hall data coming soon.
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of Southern California's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 15, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$17,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Target3 miles
- CVS Pharmacy3.2 miles
- Walgreens4.7 miles
- Walmart7.2 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at University of Southern California.
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