Write to the department or program at USC that offered to admit you, and confirm your acceptance by sending an e-mail, fax and a letter.

If you were accepted by other universities, write to them and decline their offer.

Contact the local US embassy or mission in your country to find out if they hold a pre-departure orientation for students leaving to study in the US. These are very helpful as you may meet a fellow-Trojan.

If you are being sponsored by an organization (especially in the case of J-1 students), notify that organization of your plans. Maintain contact with the sponsoring organization, which can assist with pre-departure arrangements.

Confirm your attendance at the department/program orientation. You can also inquire if the department provides any form of housing/roommate assistance (message boards, etc.), on-campus jobs and assistantships.

Keep in contact with the person who is going to pick you up from the airport. Carefully check and confirm the arrangements and details of where you will wait for him/her (gate number/counter number, first floor/ground floor, etc.), how much of a delay to expect, whom to contact in case he/she doesn't show up. Always have a Plan B. Confirm all details 48 hours before departure. If you have never met before, ensure that you will be able to identify each other, based on photographs you've exchanged, clothes of certain color, etc.

Designate a friend/relative or contact at or around USC to be your emergency contact, in case of an unforeseen problem. Provide this person with a detailed and updated schedule of your travel plans. Keep this person's phone numbers (cell phone, work, and residence) on your person or in your handbag while traveling. Also leave this person's name and numbers at home.