New Students Guide

Passport, I-20, Visa and copies of them Your address in US Copies of your academic transcript Documentation of receiving 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) vaccine on or after first birthday or positive Rubeola and Mumps titers (blood tests) Documentation of receiving 2 doses of Varicella (Chickenpox) on or after first birthday or a positive varicella titer (blood test) Graphing calculator Essential toiletries to last for the first week or so. You can make a trip to Target/Walmart to get the rest Adaptor and/or extension cord to use electrical appliances from Singapore Stationery TSA Lock Pre-orientation homework Alcohol edu test online This list is not conclusive, so please pack whatever you deem necessary! __What not to bring__ 2-Hole Punches because 3-hole punchers are used in US A4 paper, US uses letter-sized papers

__Driving Directions to USC__ 1. I-105 East 2. I-110 North 3. Exit at 37th Street / Exposition Boulevard (Exit 20B) __Taxi__ * Costs at least USD 40, excluding tips __Super-Shuttle__ * USD 18, excluding tips * Shared van service * Go to [http://www.supershuttle.com](http://www.supershuttle.com) to book a ride __Uber/Lyft__ * Cheaper than a taxi, no tips required (unless you want to)

__On-Campus__ * Dining Halls – EVK/Parkside/University Village * Ronald Tutor Campus Center – CPK/Panda Express/Habit * Burger/Seeds/Lemonade/Little Galen * Moreton Fig __Off-Campus__ * Chipotle - (right below Tuscany Apts at South Figueroa St) * Chick-Fil-A * Blaze Pizza * Pizza Studio * Ono Hawaiian BBQ * Poke by Hawaii/ Ahi Poke Bowl * Yoshinoya * Ebaes - Ramen * Northern Cafe - Americanized Chinese For more information: search "Top 10 Walkable Restaurants Near USC" on YouTube Please also check out our [Makan Guide](./makan-guide.html)

__Lyft / Campus Cruiser__ * Free service from 7pm-2am * 1 mile radius from USC * Grab a bite with friends * Runs till 6am during dead week * Campus cruiser will take you and your bike home * Remember to sign up for Lyft with your USC account. __Food Matters__ * There is always free food on campus * Join Free Food @ USC for updates * Free food during finals season outside Leavey and dorms * Farmers Market @ McCarthy Quad every Wednesday

__Biking/Longboarding__ Besides walking to/around campus, popular alternatives of commuting would be by bicycles or longboards. We highly advise you to purchase __two__ non-combination locks for maximum security against bicycle thefts which occur quite frequently around campus. 

__Driving__ Getting a Driver's License is highly recommended because the public transport system in LA is not easily accessible. __Do I need a California Driver’s License to drive in LA?__ We highly recommend obtaining a California Driver's License because it not only acts as an Identification Card (equivalent to Singapore's IC), but it also greatly simplifies your purchase of a motor vehicle and its corresponding insurance coverage. __Where can I get it?__ You will be able to obtain a California Driver's License at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV). The nearest DMV to USC is located at 3615 South Hope Street, which is approximately 10 minutes walking distance from campus. Please make an appointment before heading down to DMV. __* Recommend to go to Santa Monica DMV as the DMV near USC is VERY INEFFICIENT and has long wait times.__ __Other methods__ * Public transport like LA Metro, Dash bus services * Uber/Lyft

__Phone Matters__ * You can choose from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint to get your phone plans. * Tip: Verizon has better coverage, slightly slower speed. AT&T has slightly faster speed, not as good coverage. * The more people you can get, the cheaper it is. __Amazon__ * Free prime membership for 6 months if you sign up with USC email * Good for misc. items so you don’t have to make a trip to target * Cheaper books __Water__ * Tap water is safe to drink * Best to use a water filter * Recommended: Brita water filter (Amazon/ Target) __Textbooks__ * Usually really expensive * Rent off Amazon/ USC Free and For Sale FB group __Online Shopping__ * Pick up packages from Customer Service Center (CSC) of dorms * You can return packages through them too * USC Post office (located next to the Starbucks at Leavey) __USC ID__ * Can get your card punched by USC Card Services so you can hang it on a lanyard * USC Card Services is located next to the post office in PSX __Dorm Beds__ * Get the CSC to raise it so you can store stuff underneath to maximize space __California ID__ * Obtaining a California ID from the DMV is an option if you do not wish to carry your International ID (Not U.S.). This is recommended if you cannot / do not wish to obtain a California Driver’s License.

__Major Banks around USC__ __> Bank of America__ Located at USC Village 3201 S Hoover St Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 477-1001 Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed BOA ATMs are also located in the campus center (beside Ronald Tutor Campus Center) __> USC Credit Union__ Located on campus, lower initial money deposit and money limit, credit and debit cards catered to student needs University Park Campus King Hall, 2nd Floor MC 2280 Contact Number: 213-821-7100 Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm http://www.usccreditunion.org __> Chase Bank__ Located at University Gateway 3335 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90007 Contact Number: (213) 745-7928 __> Citibank__ Located at 3615 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Contact Number: (800) 627-3999