At USC, we define first-generation students as those whose parents do not have four-year degrees. Even if you have older siblings who are currently attending or have graduated from college, you are considered part of the first generation to enroll in, and eventually complete, college. At USC, nearly 20% of the total undergraduate population are first-generation students.

We are proud to have you here at USC. We have many resources and support services to help you navigate your college experience.

Check out our video about what it’s like to be a first generation student at the University of Southern California.

USC is a big place with many offices and support services to assist you. Below are some of the resources you may find helpful in various areas of your undergraduate experience. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at sdpesd@usc.edu if you have any questions or need help finding resources on campus.

Publications
First-Generation Strategies for Success Booklet

Academic Resources
Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity (KCLC)
Math Center
Writing Center
Tutoring Services

Academic advising resources by department
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Dornsife Pre-Health Advising
Marshall School of Business
Pre-Business/Internal Marshall Transfer Advisement
Leventhal School of Accounting
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Jimmy Iovine and Andrew Young Academy
Viterbi School of Engineering
Pre-Engineering Advisement
Keck School of Medicine
Price School of Public Policy
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Occupational Therapy

Personal Resources
Student Support and Advocacy
Health Center and Wellness
Office for Diversity and Strategic Initiatives (ODSI)
Food Pantry

Campus Involvement and Community
Cultural Centers
Rec Sports
Campus Activities

Jobs and Career Resources
Career Center
ConnectSC

First-Generation Welcome Sessions: Summer 2021
First-Generation students admitted to the fall semester who have committed to USC will receive an email invitation in April to sign up for a virtual first-generation welcome session. We strongly encourage all new first-generation students to attend one of these sessions as part of their orientation experience. We will introduce helpful resources at USC and create opportunities for students to connect with their first-generation peers.

First-Generation Success Workshops
Our spring workshops have concluded. Please check back in August for more information on fall 2021 workshops!

USC’s First-Generation Student Leadership Program consist of current USC students who are also in the first generation of their families to attend and eventually graduate from college. These leaders are a great resource for providing their insight, advice, and perspective for navigating university life as a first-generation college student. Please click here to learn more about our leaders. You can even schedule an appointment to chat with them online!

Jessica Frey Nielsen
Director, Student Development Programs
sdpesd@usc.edu

Nahid Razavi
Assistant Dean, Student Development Programs
sdpesd@usc.edu

Nathalie Quintero
Graduate Assistant, Student Development Programs
sdpesd@usc.edu

Andrea Garcia
Graduate Assistant, Student Development Programs
sdpesd@usc.edu

Would you like to share information with the USC First-Generation community through the newsletter? Email sdpesd@usc.edu and we will share your content on an upcoming newsletter.

Our team is pleased to offer student panels and sessions for prospective student groups who are in the first generation of their family to attend college.

If your group is interested in planning a session with us, please email our office at sdpesd@usc.edu with the following information:

• Name of the school or community organization
• Name of main contact for your group
• 3-4 preferred date and time options (in Pacific Time) for a session
• Any requests for topics to be covered

Please note, our sessions focus on the first-generation identity and cover topics such as the transition from high school to college, how to prepare for college, etc. Please visit our colleagues in the Office of Admission if you would like to learn more about the admission process.