<p>Disclaimer - things may have changed over the last two years when we were in your shoes. You definitely have to commit to sign up for orientation. Looking at housing page, looks like housing sign-up is available now. Housing is assigned based on when you apply to USC, not to housing (although students always seems to know someone who is an exception) so supposedly there’s not real advantage to signing up early. It does just say “once you are admitted”. However, you do have to pay housing deposit when you sign up…look to see if it’s refundable if you go elsewhere. If you are in honors, you will be in honors dorm so no real rush unless you definitely want single room.</p>