Frequently Asked Questions
Application Requirements & Guidelines
- How do I apply to the Intensive English
Program (IEP)?
- Is there an application deadline?
- Is the TOEFL examination required for admission
to the Academy?
- Is there an age requirement to study at the Academy?
- How long will it take to process my application?
When will I be notified of my admission?
- What is the financial statement? What should
it include (amount, sponsorship letter, etc.)?
- I am attending another university in the
US; can I transfer to your school? What will I need?
Payment
- How do I pay the fees?
- What fees are required
with the application?
- When is the last day to pay the program
fees (program fee and university service fee)?
- What is your refund policy?
Immigration
- What is the Form I-20?
- Do I need a Form
I-20 to study at your school?
- How long does it take to get the I-20?
- Can I study at the Academy on a B-1 or
B-2 Visa?
Housing
- What are my on-campus housing options?
- Do I have to purchase a meal plan?
- What is provided in the university apartment?
- Can I choose my own roommate?
- Will the Academy help me find private housing
or homestay?
- Where should I send packages?
Arrival
- Should I go to my apartment before I check-in
at the Academy office?
- What if I arrive after the office is closed?
Where can I stay?
Courses & Curriculum
- What kinds of courses will I take?
- What if I want extra preparation for the
TOEFL examination?
- When will I receive my class schedule?
- How will the Academy decide my level?
- Will I receive university credit for Academy
courses?
- Will I receive a certificate?
Activities
- What are Friday Activities?
- Are Friday Activities included in the program
fee?
USC
- When I finish studying at the Academy,
can I enroll at USC?
Application Requirements & Guidelines
1. How do I apply to the Intensive English Program?
All applicants must submit the application, application fee
- $150, housing processing fee- $150 (optional), financial statement,
and financial support letter. Applying is easy -- either online or on paper. To apply online, go to: www.usc.edu/langacad/app and follow the steps to complete the application. To apply using our paper application, visit our "How To Apply" page on the Academy website where you can download and print the paper application. You can submit your paper application by email to langacad@usc.edu, by fax to (213) 740-0088, or by mail to:
USC Language Academy
Admissions Advisor
950 W. Jefferson Blvd, JEF Bldg.
Los Angeles CA, 90089-1292
For more information on applying to the IEP, click here.
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2. Is there an application deadline?
Although there is no deadline to apply, program space and
campus housing is limited. Admission is first-come, first-served.
We recommend that you send all application documents at least three months
before the beginning of your first term. If you wish to apply
later, you may still do so but remember that it may be difficult
to get a visa in a short time and campus housing may be full.
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3. Is the TOEFL examination required for admission to
the Academy?
No. The Academy provides instruction for all learners, from
beginning to advanced. We offer a special TOEFL track for
students in levels 4-6. This track helps students improve
their internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score, reading speed, comprehension,
vocabulary, essay writing, listening, and grammar. Students in levels 3 may choose the TOEFL elective.
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4. Is there an age requirement to study at the Academy?
The minimum age to study at the USC Language Academy is 17.
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5. How long will it take to process my application? When
will I be notified of my admission?
After our office receives all your application items (including the $150 application fee), it takes
3 to 5 business days to process the application. If any items
are missing from your application, we will notify you within
2 business days of the specific item you need to submit to
complete the application process. After the application is
processed, admission materials will be sent within 2 business
days. The admission packet is sent by express mail at no additional
charge. International express mail takes 3 to 5 business days
to arrive.
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6. What is the financial statement? What should it include
(amount, sponsorship letter, etc.)?
The financial statement is a certified letter from a bank
confirming that the student/sponsor/family member has sufficient
funds to cover the student’s expenses while studying at
the Academy. All students requesting an I-20 must provide
a financial statement. Each student must prove they have at
least $2,750 per month of study ($11,000 per semester, $5,500
per session). If you have dependents accompanying you to the
US, you must provide proof of support for each dependent ($600/month
for a spouse, $300/month per child). The financial statement
should include the following information:
- The name of the account holder
- The amount (in USD) deposited in the account
- The name of the bank or financial institution
- The contact information for the bank or financial institution
- The name of the student for whom the funds are available
If the account referenced on the financial statement is NOT
in your name, the account holder (sponsor, family member)
must send a letter of sponsorship/financial support letter certifying that they will accept full responsibility for all
fees incurred while studying at the Academy (program fees,
housing, meals, living expenses).
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7. I am attending another university in the U.S.; can
I transfer to your school? What will I need?
Yes, you may transfer if you are in good standing with the
school you are currently attending. In order to transfer to
the Academy, you must submit the following items:
- Completed Language Academy application
- Copies of Passport, F-1 visa, I-94 card and current I-20.
- Financial Statement
- Financial Support Letter
If you are traveling before attending the Intensive English
program, please notify the Admissions & Immigration Adviser, and send a copy
of your current I-20, bank statement, passport, and F-1 visa to the Academy office. The Admissions
Coordinator will send the I-20 in 3 to 5 business days. Use
the new I-20 when you enter the country. For more information
on transferring, please contact the Academy office.
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Payment
1. How do I pay the fees?
Pay all fees with personal check, cashier’s checks, traveler’s
checks, money orders or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or
Discover) only. No cash is accepted.
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2. What fees are required with
the application?
The application fee and housing processing fee (if
requesting university housing) must be paid with your application.
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3. When is the last day to pay the program fees
(program fee and university service fee)?
The semester/session program fee and university service fees
are due by the first day of orientation. A $100 early payment discount
is available to all full-time students paying program fees before the
early payment deadline. Visit the "Program Dates" page on the Academy website for more information.
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4. What is your refund policy?
Program Fee: You may receive a full refund of the total
program fee if you cancel in writing with the Academy Admissions
& Immigration Adviser any time BEFORE the Start Day of the program.
You may receive a refund of 50% of the total program fee if
you cancel in writing on or before the end of the fifth day
from the Start Day. No refunds or program fee credits are
available after 5:00 PM on the fifth day. The Academy application
fee is NOT
refundable at any time.
Housing: If you cancel your reservation, the housing
processing fee is NOT refundable. However, the housing processing fee IS
refundable if we cannot reserve a space for you because housing
is full.
- If you wish to cancel housing, or if you are not able to attend the USC Language Academy for any reason, you must contact the Housing Coordinator in writing (email is acceptable).
- If your housing cancellation is received AFTER the cancellation deadline, you will be charged a $500 cancellation fee.
- If you wish to cancel housing after the USC Language Academy "Move-in Day", you will be responsible for the full housing payment.
- Housing cannot be cancelled after the first day of Academy Orientation.
Please contact the Housing Coordinator at langacad.housing@usc.edu with any further questions.
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Immigration
1. What is the Form I-20? Do I need a Form I-20 to study
at your school?
The Form I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1)
Student Status for Academic and Language Students.
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2. Do I need a Form I-20 to study
at your school?
You need
the Form I-20 to apply for the F-1 visa. If you are not a
citizen of the U.S., you will need a F-1 visa to study at the
Academy. Permanent residents and U.S. citizens are not required
to have F-1 visas to study at the Academy.
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3. How long does it take to receive the I-20?
The I-20 is sent to the address on your application 3 to 5
business days after you submit your completed application. I-20 forms are sent via express mail. International express mail takes 3 to 5 business days
to arrive.
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4. Can I study at the Academy on a B-1 or B-2 Visa?
No. Students with a B-1 or B-2 visa are not eligible to study at the Language Academy.
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Housing
1. What are my on-campus housing options?
Fall and Spring Semesters Housing Options
During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Academy is pleased
to offer accommodations in the Parkside
International Community. The building is non-smoking and has secure access (only students living
in the community have access), Ethernet computer access (for
the Internet), laundry facilities, study rooms and an on-site
tram (free USC bus) stop. All facilities are included in the
housing fee. There are two dining facilities located in this
community: a central dining hall featuring American and international
cuisine and a coffee/snack shop with couches and tables to
relax or study. In this community, Academy students will live in a shared studio apartment (2 students/room).
Parkside Apartments (PKS) is an on-campus apartment complex
with private bathrooms and kitchens in each apartment. PKS
has fully furnished studio apartments. A studio
apartment has a bathroom, kitchen and combined living room/bedroom.
Summer Housing Options
In the summer, Academy students live in fully furnished 2
bedroom apartments shared by four students at a university owned apartment complex.
These apartments have a full kitchen (oven, stove, and refrigerator),
private bathroom, a living room and dining area.
Campus housing fills up fast so we recommend that you apply for housing, and pay the $150 housing processing fee, at least 3 months before your chosen semester or session start date. For more information about campus housing, visit the Academy website.
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2. Do I have to purchase a meal plan?
All students living in Parkside Apartments (PKS)
are required to purchase a partial meal plan. The
meal plan includes 50 meals per semester (at any USC dining hall)
and an additional $100 dining dollars (extra dining money
on the Student ID card). Students wishing
to purchase a more complete meal plan may do so upon arrival.
Meal plans are not required during the summer. USC has an
exciting combination of all-you-can-eat dining halls, retail
dining, fast food restaurants, sit-down restaurants, and coffee
shops.
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3. What is provided in the university apartment?
Fall & Spring Housing
In Studio Apartments, all
students receive one extra-long twin bed, and one desk and
chair. Students share one dresser, dining table and chairs,
stove/oven and refrigerator.
Students will receive a welcome kit from the Academy which includes a pillow, sheet set, and towel. Students will need to bring or buy their own blankets,
a bedspread or comforter, alarm clock, toiletries, hangers, and other personal items. You may also want to bring or purchase dishes, glasses,
cooking and eating utensils, pots, pans, and small kitchen
appliances. All of these items may be purchased after you
arrive in Los Angeles.
Summer Housing
Two-Bedroom furnished apartments have a full kitchen (oven,
stove and refrigerator), private bathroom, a living room and
dining area. Furnishings include: extra-long twin beds, desk
and chair, dresser, couch, coffee table, lamps, dining table
and chairs.
The Academy provides a welcome kit for summer
students incuding a pillow, sheet set, and towel.
You may want to bring blankets, a bedspread or comforter,
alarm clock, toiletries, hangers, and any other personal items. You can also purchase any
of these items after you arrive. In addition, you might want
to purchase small kitchen appliances.
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4. Can I choose my own roommate?
The Language Academy does not accept roommate requests. Language Academy students living in campus housing are paired with another Academy student, preferably from another country. Living with other international and American students is a great way to practice your English outside of the classroom and rapidly improve your speaking and comprehension.
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5. Will the Academy help me find private housing or homestay?
The USC Language Academy does not endorse any private housing
or homestay accommodations. However, there is a list of private apartment websites and property managers on the "Off-Campus Housing" page of our website.
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6. Where should I send packages?
You can send packages to your apartment address, but it is
very important that they do not arrive before you do. If they
are sent to the university before you have checked-in, they
will be sent back to your home country. It is best that you
send any packages less than one week before your check-in
date. You will receive your mailing address once you check in to USC campus housing.
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Arrival
1. Should I go to my campus apartment before I check-in at the
Academy office?
No. If you are living in university housing, follow the instructions you receive from the Housing Coordinator. You should go directly to the campus housing facility on the specified Move-In Day to receive your room assignment and keys. You do not need to check in at the Academy offices until the first day of New Student Orientation. Once you have gotten settled into your campus apartment, please feel free to visit the Academy office in the Jefferson Building. The Academy office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
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2. What if I arrive after the office is closed? Where
can I stay?
If you arrive before your check-in date or when the Academy
office is closed, you may need to stay in temporary housing
for a few days. There are two temporary housing options located
near campus.
Radisson Plaza Hotel
This hotel is directly across from USC’s Gate 1 on Figueroa
Street and is located on the campus map. This is the closest
hotel to USC. Rates may vary, visit their website for more information.
Vagabond Hotel
This hotel is located two blocks north of Jefferson Blvd on
Figueroa Street. It is only two blocks away from the university
campus. They offer a variety of student rates. For more information
or to make reservations call (213) 746-1531 or visit their website.
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Courses
1. What kinds of courses will I take?
USC Language Academy offers seven academic levels, from beginning to high-advanced. Core courses include, reading and writing, grammar, and oral skills. In addition, students choose an elective course and Language Labs to augment their learning. For more
information, visit the "Academy Courses" page.
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2. What if I want extra preparation for the TOEFL examination?
The Academy offers a special TOEFL Track for students interested
in extra preparation for the TOEFL exam. TOEFL track is available
for students in levels 4-6. The track program will help you
improve your internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score, reading speed, comprehension,
vocabulary, essay writing, and listening and grammar. The
track includes practice internet-based tests. Lower level students can take
TOEFL elective for 4 hours per week.
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3. When will I receive my class schedule?
Students take a placement test on the first day of the Academy's two-day Orientation.
All students receive their class schedules before the first
class on Day 3.
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4. How will the Academy decide my level?
New students take the English Placement Examination on the
first day of New Student Orientation at the start of each term. This test includes a listening,
grammar/vocabulary section, and a 30-minute essay. The teachers
also monitor students very carefully during the first week
of classes to be sure they are in the correct level.
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5. Will I receive university credit for Academy courses?
At the Language Academy we offer non-credit courses. Level
6 students, with permission of the Academy director and the department, may take a university course
for credit at the USC tuition rate.
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6. Will I receive a certificate?
Students who complete a term with a performance grade of C
or better and who have maintained the attendance requirement
will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of each
semester or session.
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Activities
1. What are the Academy Activities?
Academy Activities are weekly trips and events for all Academy
students to explore the sights and culture of USC and Los
Angeles. These activities generally occur on Friday afternoons
and include trips to local theme parks, museums, shopping
areas, sporting events, musical performances, and outdoor
attractions. Each semester the Academy offers a variety of
interesting and exciting activities that last from 3-8 hours
each. For further information please refer to the activity schedule.
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2. Are the Academy Activities included in the program
fee?
The Academy Activities are offered to enrolled students at
reduced or no cost. This means that most activities are free
to attend but some, such as Disneyland, require a payment. Some activities require an initial deposit to hold
your space and then this deposit is returned at the time of the event. For more information about activities, check out the Activities page.
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USC
1. When I finish studying at the Academy, can I enroll
at USC?
Students may apply for admission to USC at any time through the USC Office of Undergraduate Admission or a specific graduate department. Admission to USC is based a student's complete application including,
grade point average, test scores, and letters of recommendation.
USC Language Academy offers academic advising but does not
guarantee USC admission.
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