General Information
The SCA Summer Program is academically rigorous, in which each student's active and supportive participation is highly valued. The program is intensive, involving various classroom studies, homework assignments, activities, and events that are intellectually demanding and time-consuming.
Considered a pre-college program, students will have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from participation in a unique community of peers during the six-week program. Students must be respectful of others and thoughtful about the impact of their actions on the community.
The program has a rolling admission; anyone ages 16 and above is welcome to apply. After the application is reviewed and approved, classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All classes receive elective credit units and can be transferred to any university. Once the program is completed, transcripts are available through the University Registrar's office.
Important Information
APPLICATION
Summer Program applications open for the following summer, December 1, 2023. The website will automatically move you into the application section once you select the course(s) you wish to apply for.
| Open | Deadline | |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | December 1, 2023 | April 30, 2024 |
| International Student Application (without valid visas) | December 1, 2023 | April 5, 2024 |
| International Student Application (with valid visas*) | December 1, 2023 | June 7, 2024 |
| Waitlist (Applicant Notifications) | May 1, 2024 | June 7, 2024 |
| *F-1 visa (from any USA school), J-1 visa, O-1 visa, E-2 visa, and Green Card/Permanent Resident Card students | ||
ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION
Applications submitted in December will be sent notification starting the second week of January once USC is back in session.
Applications received after January 1, 2024, will be notified approximately one (1) week after submission.
Waitlist applicants, notifications to apply will be sent out anytime between May 1, 2024, and June 4, 2024.
For more detailed information about the application, please visit the Online Application page.
TUITION
The University determines tuition based on the number of units in your desired class(es). Summer 2024 tuition at USC is $2,244.00 (USD) per unit. To determine your base tuition cost, multiply the collective number of units from your course(s) selection by the USC tuition value. The unit count for each class can be found in the course description.
For example, a two-unit class would be $4,488.00 (USD) for tuition only.
| Number of Units | Per Unit Tuituion Rate | Total (Before Housing & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $2,244.00 | $4,488.00 |
| 4 | $2,244.00 | $8,976.00 |
| 6 | $2,244.00 | $13,464.00 |
| 8 | $2,244.00 | $17,952.00 |
At the beginning of each detailed class description, you will find the number of units for each class and the dates, days, and times it meets.
FINANCIAL AID
The SCA Summer Program does not offer financial aid to non-USC students. However, outside loans, scholarships, and financial assistance from other institutions may be applied to the program.
We encourage prospective students to utilize the listed scholarship search engines to seek out financial aid opportunities that might be available for the SCA Summer Program.
- Fastweb - https://www.fastweb.com/
- Scholarships.com - https://www.scholarships.com/
- BigFuture - https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships
- Scholly - https://myscholly.com/
- Appily - https://www.appily.com/scholarships
- Unigo - https://www.unigo.com/
Note that many of these scholarships will only cover a portion of tuition, housing, dining, and fees. Multiple scholarships may be needed; research and plan, applying as early as possible to any qualifying scholarships that could assist in covering any or all costs.
Also, use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with what financial aid opportunities may be open to you for future undergraduate studies.
HOUSING
USC on-campus housing is available for any SCA Summer Program students needing accommodations. Please read the following carefully as the procedures differ for rising Juniors/Seniors and individuals 18 plus.
Individuals 18+
USC Housing provides accommodations. Housing is contract-based with flexible move-in dates. Upon acceptance, an informational pack will be sent out.
Rising Juniors and Seniors (16 & 17 year-olds)
- Location: USC Village in the McCarthy Honors Residential College-across the street from the main campus and a short walk to the SCA Cinema Complex.
-
Housing Costs
- Security Deposit: $500*
- Housing Cost: $2,100-$2,600**
- Move-In Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
- Move-Out Date: Saturday, Aug 3, 2024
Please visit the Information for Rising Juniors/Seniors webpage for more detailed information.
*Covers incurred damages, if any, otherwise refunded fully **Please note that Housing Costs are subject to change
Please note that housing costs are separate and NOT covered in the student tuition.
MEAL PLAN (Optional)
A meal plan is available, purchased separately after students have been registered for their classes through the USCard Services' website; however, we do not recommend that our Summer Program students purchase a summer meal plan as they are restrictive and not conducive to the rigorous class schedules of the students. If you plan on purchasing a meal plan for the summer, please note that once purchased, it cannot be refunded for any reason.
USC has multiple dining options, including the University Village, on and directly off campus. These meals can be paid for with cash, credit/debit card, or by using the USC student ID card.
Please note that meal costs are NOT included in the student tuition.
HEALTH SERVICES
The USC Engemann Student Health Center is available to SCA Summer Program students should health concerns arise. A required student health information form will be given out upon acceptance and must be turned in before arrival to the program.
A mandatory student health center fee will be applied upon registration into our program, typically between $20 - $30 a week. This fee cannot be waived.
ORIENTATION
A mandatory virtual student orientation will be held before the arrival of all accepted students. Various times will be available to accommodate different time zones. Students only need to attend one session.
- Date: June 17, 2024
- Time(s): 10:00 a.m. PST; 2:00 p.m PST; 6:00 p.m. PST
Zoom links will be sent out 48 hours prior.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL SEMINARS
The Summer@SCA is an academic program; unlike a summer camp, the SCA Summer Program does not schedule any extracurricular activities. However, the School of Cinematic Arts continues programming into the summer, including:
- Special events with industry guests
- Pre-release screenings
- Workshops and seminars
All events are pre-registered through the USC School of Cinematic Arts student portal, SCA Community (more information below), and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All events are subject to change.
SCA COMMUNITY
An online portal for students and a valuable resource that contains detailed information about policies, rules, documents, and event announcements with sign-ups. Upon acceptance into the Summer Program, more detailed information will be given with directions on how to set up the student's SCA Community intranet.
FITNESS CENTER WAIVERS
Accepted students will need to sign a waiver to access any of USC's Recreational Facilities, such as the gym. Instructions on how to set this up will be given in the information packets that will be sent out upon acceptance.