OCTOBER 2026

Beginning October 5, students meet with academic advisors during individual, mandatory, Pre-Registration Advising appointments to reflect on their fall semester progress and explore spring course options. This appointment is required before registering in spring classes.

All Dornsife first-years will have an LAS01 Dornsife Advising hold which will prevent registration. This hold will be lifted after you attend your Pre-Registration Advising appointment.

Learn more about Pre-Registration Advising and how to schedule these appointments from the Director of First-Year Advising, Dr. Viannda Hawkins.

To register for next semester on your permit to register date, schedule and complete your appointment in advance. Spaces can fill up, so book now to secure your desired date and time! Make sure to select the correct topic (Undergraduate Advice) and subtopic (Mandatory Advisement) when booking to see availability.

Here are some ways to get registration ready:

Identify your permit to register date, check for holds that prevent registration, and work to resolve them. View in Experience USC on the My Academics tab. Next to your registration date, you'll also see any holds that will prevent registration. Note: the Dornsife Advising (LAS01) hold is lifted after completing Pre-Registration Advising with your FYA  Advisor.

Review your STARS Report & Transfer Credit Report (TCR). Check your STARS Report to see how your current courses are counting towards degree requirements and see what requirements you have left to complete. Check your TCR to confirm what coursework was transferred into USC and make sure nothing is missing.

Learn more about your academic program(s) and view sample course plans. Although they are examples only, sample plans can help you explore class options for next semester. Read up on major and minor requirements in the USC Catalogue or on your academic department's website.

For more tips, download our guides below and see our resources on the First-Year Corner!

Appointment Scheduling How-To

Pre-Advising Checklist

Preparing for Spring 2027 Registration Success Plan

And if you missed our Preparing for Spring Semester event last week, check out the recording below or view the presentation slides! 

Friday, October 9, is the last day to drop a fall semester session 001 class without a withdrawal mark of "W" on an official transcript. Got questions about this deadline? Confused on what "W" means?

Then join the First-Year Advising Team for Express Advising. No appointment required! Drop by on Zoom at https://usc.zoom.us/s/97881474257 during one of our sessions below:

Thanks to everyone who joined us at our Dornsife Networking Night, Exploring Majors and Minors, and Navigating USC Resources. We connected with upperclassmen & alumni, shared guidance on the exploration of academic programs & course planning, and highlighted campus services that enhance your freshman year!

See below for helpful resources from our events!

NAVIGATING USC RESOURCES

Featured Programs & Resources

EXPLORING MAJORS & MINORS

Resource Handout (includes Slides)

Looking for free academic support this semester? USC offers a variety of tutoring assistance to help students excel in their courses. Read about them below then click on each icon to learn more!

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI)
Peer-led group sessions are offered for select STEM classes including Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Math, Physics, and Psychology.

ECONOMICS TUTORING CENTER
In-person tutoring support for ECON classes is available in KAP 309 on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Check their website for more info. 

MATH CENTER
Teaching Assistants and Math Center Assistants offer support online and in KAP 263 for students in any Math class. Visit their website for additional tools and tips.

WRITING CENTER
Personalized feedback is given online and in Taper Hall 216 for students engaging in any step of the writing process and with
any type of writing.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
Recreational Sports| Hecuba Rising

MONDAYS, OCTOBER 12, 19, & 26
Student Health | Flu Shots @ USC Village

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
Career Center | The Networking Hub: How to Prepare for a Networking Event

TUESDAY-THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13-15
Kortschak Center | Stress Management Workshop

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Student Life | Late Night 'SC: Puppy Cafe Night

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Student Life | Late Night 'SC: Gem Art Night

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
Sustainability Hub | Mend-It Monday

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
Career Center | Industry Insights - Entertainment

OCTOBER 8-9 Fall Recess

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Last day to drop Session 001 classes without an official transcript "W" and change a class from Pass/No Pass to Letter Grade

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Veterans Day, non-instructional 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Last day to drop a class with an official transcript "W"

NOVEMBER 25-29
Thanksgiving Break

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
Fall semester classes end

DECEMBER 5-8
Study Days

DECEMBER 9-16
Final examinations

DECEMBER 17-JANUARY 10
Winter recess

Need a helping hand? Want to stay in the loop? Connect with us at fya@dornsife.usc.edu, Advise USC and Instagram @uscdornsifeadv. Till then, fight on!

DORNSIFE FIRST-YEAR ADVISING (FYA) provides academic advising for entering freshman students in most Dornsife majors.

EMAIL fya@dornsife.usc.edu | PHONE (213) 740-2534 | OFFICE GFS 320 | WEB dornsife.usc.edu/advising/first-year-advising2