The 2026 SCA Summer Program runs from Thursday, June 25 - Friday, August 7, 2026.
Accepted students please check out the Accepted Students Page
For any questions, please contact us at summer@cinema.usc.edu.
or 213-740-3327.
Before you hop on that plane or jump in your car to come to USC, here are few things that you should prepare in order to make your experience with the SCA Summer Program a wonderful success.
Recommended Packing List
We have put together the following list of items to ensure you are prepared for your summer at USC. To guide your packing, keep in mind that temperatures can range from the low 80s to the upper 90s during the day and drop to the low 60s at night.
- Health Insurance card (if applicable)
- Clothing including:
- Casual clothing for classroom and recreational activities
- Jacket/sweater for evenings or chilly weather
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes (mandatory on sets and stages and in classroom )
- Activewear for working out
- A U.S cell phone and charger with a U.S. phone number.
- International students can buy a prepaid U.S. sim card on sites like Amazon, campusSIMS or from a phone service provider. Please purchase and activate the sim card before your arrival in the U.S.
Recommended to Buy Here
There are few bulky items that we recommend buying after you arrive. For your convenience, there is a Target on the first floor of the USC Village and the USC Bookstore at the campus center.
- Clothes hangers
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Blanket or Comforter
- Shower caddy
- Laundry basket or bag
- Laundry supplies
- Towels
- Workout equipment
- Athletic/Recreational equipment
- Power strip/Extension cord
- Bathroom supplies
International Students
In addition to the recommended packing list, the items below are absolutely necessary for International Students.
- Passport
- Valid Visa
- I-94 (This is only available once you arrive in the U.S.)
- Signed I-20 (if arriving on an F-1 visa)
- Signed school permission letter (if already here on another school's I-20 and F-1)
- Green Card/Permanent Resident Card (if applicable)
USC LA Metro U-Pass Program-- Free Metro Passes
USC offers the LA Metro U-Pass to all eligible currently registered students for free unlimited
rides on Metro rail and bus lines. The Summer U-Pass covers the full summer term and is provided at
no additional out-of-pocket cost.
Key Details & Dates
- Validity: Valid for the entire summer semester, from May 18, 2026, through August 23, 2026.
- Coverage: Unlimited rides on LA Metro buses and rail lines, LADOT DASH, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Culver CityBus.
- Cost: Free (included in tuition/student fees).
How to Get Your Pass
- Apply/Renew: Submit the USC U-Pass Application Form. If this is your first time getting a U-Pass, you will also need to complete the linked Metro survey in the application to get a confirmation number.
- Activation: After purchasing, you will receive an automated confirmation email with your activation code. Activate your TAP card at the USC TAP Card Activation page.
- First Tap: You must tap your activated card on a Metro reader within 14 days to keep it valid.
USC Free Evening Lyft Program
USC partners with Lyft to provide free, safe evening transportation within designated zones around
the University Park Campus.
The free after-hours safe ride service operates on adjusted summer hours (typically 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM). View updates and usage boundaries on the USC Department of Public Safety page.
On-Campus Parking Permits - Adult Students Only (18 years old and above)
On-Campus USC Parking Permits are available only for Adult Students (18 years old and above). To
purchase a permit to park at one of the USC Parking Structures, use the USC Transportation link:
https://www.offstreet.com/customer-pages/usc/usc-2026-summer-permits.