Program and Registration Fee</p>
<p>The Explore student may attend free of charge. Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend. A program fee of $50 per parent or family member, payable by check, will be collected when you check-in.</p>
<p>Based upon the information you provided when registering, your total fee is $0. If applicable, you must provide payment in full at check-in; we are unable to accept Explore fees online. Payment by check is encouraged; payable to USC and include student USC ID on check. We cannot accept credit card payments.</p>
<p>Your Scholarship Interview</p>
<p>Scholarship interviews will take place on the second day of your program. Your specific interview time and location will be made available to you during the academic information session on the first day.</p>
<p>Interviews are scheduled to last 20-30 minutes and are usually conducted by a panel of three individuals (usually a faculty member, a staff member and a current USC scholarship student). Although interview questions will vary, they generally focus on your academic and personal interests, plans for involvement at USC and your goals for the future. We suggest business attire for your interview; the rest of the program is casual.</p>
<p>The scholarship interview will have a significant impact on our final scholarship decisions. You will be informed about the results of the scholarship competition by late March.</p>
<p>Student Travel Reimbursement</p>
<p>Students who need to fly to Los Angeles will receive monetary assistance to offset a portion of their ticket cost. Students from CA, AZ, or NV will receive half the cost of their ticket, up to $60. Students from other states and outside of the country will receive half the cost of their ticket, up to $200.</p>
<p>Travel Planning and Overnight Accommodations</p>
<p>Should you or your parents need to make flight plans or arrange for an overnight hotel stay for Explore (students are housed in university housing ), we recommend using USC’s official travel agency, STA Travel. Call them at (480) 296-0544 or (877) 821-8657 and mention that you’ll be attending an Explore USC program. They have access to specially discounted plane tickets and hotel rates. STA travel will apply the student travel reimbursement to your ticket. The Radisson Hotel @ USC has special rates during Explore USC. Please click here for more information.</p>
<p>International students must make their travel arrangements through STA to receive the additional discount.
If you choose to make your own travel arrangements, please bring the receipt itinerary (student name and price of ticket must be included) from the airline for the student’s ticket to the Explore program.</p>
<p>Download a travel information form that can be emailed to STA Travel.</p>
<p>Getting to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)</p>
<p>If you are flying into Los Angeles International Airport, there are a couple of ways to get to USC:</p>
<pre><code>Taxi
One-way fare will be approximately $45.
Taxis are available under yellow signs outside of the baggage claim area of each terminal.
Shuttle
Prime Time Shuttle offers a discounted one-way student fare of $13.50
Prime Time shuttles meet passengers under the orange signs outside of the baggage claim area of each terminal.
Reservations should be made ahead of time and are available online at http://www.primetimeshuttle.com or by calling (800) 733-8267. Please inform them that you are to be dropped off at the USC Gate 2 entrance on Exposition Blvd. The parking attendant will direct you to the Admission Center.
USC will provide complimentary shuttles to LAX on the 2nd day of the Explore program. Shuttles will depart at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
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<p>Driving Directions and Parking at USC</p>
<p>USC is located just south of downtown Los Angeles, at the Exposition Boulevard exit of Interstate 110. For parking location and directions to campus, please click here.</p>
<p>When you enter the campus at Gate 3, be sure to stop and speak with the parking attendant. He or she will show you where to park, provide you with a permit, and can also provide you with directions to the Admission Center (Ronald Tutor Campus Center, TCC).
Students should bring their luggage with them to check-in (we will provide storage facilities).</p>
<p>Sample Agenda
DAY 1
9:00 a.m. Check-in begins in Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC)
10:00-2:30 p.m. Ongoing activities: campus tours, neighborhood bus tours, Pre-Health sessions, Thematic Option/Honors sessions, and lunch on your own
2:30-3:30 p.m. Welcome Session
3:30-5:30 p.m. Academic information sessions
5:30-7:30 p.m. STUDENTS: meet USC student host, eat dinner, social activities
PARENTS: parents’ social, dinner with faculty and academic department representatives.
7:30-9:00 p.m. STUDENTS: evening activities
PARENTS: done for the day</p>
<p>DAY 2
8:15-8:45 a.m. Financial Aid Session
8:30-9:30 a.m. STUDENTS: breakfast with USC students (note: some interviews begin at 9:00 a.m.)
PARENTS: parent breakfast
9:30-12:00 p.m. STUDENTS: scholarship interviews
PARENTS: information sessions (housing, student life, public safety, student panel)
12:15-1:00 p.m. Lunch (staff from admission, financial aid, and student affairs offices will be available)
1:00 p.m. Conclusion of program</p>
<p>What Students Should Bring to Explore USC</p>
<pre><code>The 1st day of the program is casual, you should look nice, but wear something that allows you to be comfortable, because Explore USC includes quite a bit of walking. Your interview will take place on the 2nd day and business attire is recommended.
Sleeping bag and pillow.
Umbrella and jacket (the weather in L.A. is unpredictable this time of year).
Pen and paper.
Towel and toiletries.
Spending money (for snacks, bookstore shopping, transportation costs, etc.).
A cell phone, if you have one. This makes it much easier for families to keep in touch while on campus.
Completed and signed Parental Consent card (downloadable here).
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<p>What Parents Should Bring to Explore USC</p>
<pre><code>Casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes. The parent reception and dinner are not formal.
Umbrella and jacket (the weather in L.A. is unpredictable this time of year).
Pen and paper.
Spending money (for snacks, bookstore shopping, transportation costs, etc.).
A cell phone, if you have one. This makes it much easier for families to keep in touch while on campus.
Check for registration fee, if applicable, please print student’s USC ID in the memo field of the check.