5th Annual Pathway to Excellence in Graduate School Conference
Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
PRIORITY DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR INTEREST FORM:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025
FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT MARIA ROMERO-MORALES, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND STUDENT SUCCESS: MROMEROM@USC.EDU
The University of Southern California will sponsor its 5th Annual Pathway to Excellence in Graduate School Conference for prospective graduate students on October 3 – 5th, 2025. This conference aims to introduce our graduate degree opportunities to a broad student population.
A PRELIMINARY PROGRAM FOR THE WEEKEND IS FOUND BELOW:
Prospective students will arrive, tour the campus, and attend a networking dinner to meet USC administrators, faculty, admission staff, alumni, and current students.
- NOON: Students must be able to arrive on campus by no later than NOON on Friday, October 3.
- 3:00 – 5:00 pm USC Health Science Campus and University Park Campus Student Center tours will be available. A special shuttle to the USC Health Science Campus will be available.
- 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm Conference Registration
- 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Student Welcome Dinner at University Park Campus. The campus welcome will include a message from the USC Office of Inclusion and Diversity, School and Program Representatives, Faculty, current graduate students, alumni, and special guests.
- 6:30 – 7:00 pm Group Picture
- 7:00 – 7:30 pm Program ends, and students may return to the USC Hotel
Students will attend informational sessions for programs of interest, discussions on graduate school success, and a closing reception.
- 8:00 am Conference Check In
- 8:45 am Opening session and Welcome
- 9:00 am Senior Leadership Welcome
- 9:20 am Graduate Admissions Presentation
- 9:45 am Financial Aid Presentation
- 10:00 am Time to mingle with reps during the break
- 10:15 – 11:00 am Breakout Admission Program Session 1
- 11:15 – 11:45 am Breakout Admission Program Session 2
- 11:45 – 11:55 pm Break
- 11:55 am – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Networking
- 1:10 – 2:00 p.m. Meet and Greets with Faculty or Campus Tours
- 2:00 – 2:10 p.m. Break
- 2:25 – 3:00 p.m. DEI Session
- 3:15 – 3:45 p.m. Alumni + Career Panel
- 3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Mingle with Alum
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Writing Session
- 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Closing Session – Light Dinner
Travel Day for Students
At USC, we embrace the inclusive spirit and foster a community of diverse viewpoints to build a generation of innovators, leaders, visionaries, and creators. Graduate students at USC earn a premier degree at our College or one of the 22 professional schools while learning from world-class faculty and outstanding peers.
Consider USC for the resources you need to become a top scholar or professional contributor to your community. Student participants will receive application fee waivers for up to three USC graduate programs for the 2026 admission cycle.
To participate, you must be a junior/senior currently enrolled in an accredited higher education institution anywhere in the United States and interested in applying to USC Graduate School. This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC Culture Team operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
DEPENDING ON YOUR STATE OF RESIDENCE, WE MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER LIMITED TRAVEL AND HOUSING VOUCHERS SO PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR INTEREST FORM BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
Partial List of Participating Schools
Our Conference Partners:
