What is Conditional Admission to USC?
Conditional Admision means that you are admitted to USC with certain conditions. One of these conditions may have to do with English proficiency. If you have the ALI 01 restriction on your registration permit, it means that you need take the International Student English (ISE) exam before registering for classes.

All international students are required to take the ISE exam except:

1. Students with one of the following official TOEFL scores taken within the last 2 years: 
• An Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) score of 100 or higher with no less than 20 on each individual section of the test.
• A Paper Based TOEFL score of 600 or higher.
2. Students with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university located in the U.S. or in another country in which English is both the language of instruction and the only official language of the country. Please note: a graduate degree from a U.S. college or university does not exempt students from taking the ISE exam.  
3. Students whose native language is English. This applies to students from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the first language of the country and the language of instruction.

 

What is the ISE?
The ISE is a free placement exam given to determine the English proficiency of international students. After taking the ISE exam, students are either "released" from any ALI requirement or will receive an ALI placement. A student's ALI placement may vary from 2 units to more than 18 units depending on their ISE test scores. 

In order to take the ISE, you will need the following items:

1. Your USC ID, passport, or driver's license 
2. Your USC admission letter 
3. A pen 

 

How much do ALI classes cost?
ALI classes are billed at the regular USC tuition rate. 

How do I register with an ALI hold?
Follow these steps:

1. Make sure your USC email account has been activated. This will allow you to get your test scores on-line. If you haven't activated your email account yet, go to email.usc.edu and click on "Activate your email account". 
2. Take the ISE placement exam. 
3. After taking the exam, you will receive an email instructing you to login to the ALI web site to get your test results. 
4. On the web site you will receive your test results and further instructions. You can then click on a link to the USC Web Registration web site to register for classes. 
5. Before registering on-line you may need to clear any other registration restrictions you have and see an advisor in your department. 

 

When must I take required ALI classes?
ALI classes must be taken starting the first semester and continued each semester until all required classes are completed. ALI classes cannot be deferred.