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USC | Gould School of Law

Questions & Answers

1. What qualifications are required to attend the Summer Law & English Program?
The Summer Law & English Program is primarily designed for students who have earned their first law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) outside the United States and whose native language is not English. Applicants must be at least 21 years old at the start date of the program to enroll.

2. How do I apply to the Summer Law & English Program?
All applicants must complete and submit the online application located on the Apply Now link located on our website.

3. How do I pay for the application fee?

You may either submit your $100 application fee online via credit card, OR you may send a check or money order drawn on U.S. currency to the address below. Payments may be made to “USC Law School”.

Summer Law & English Program
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
699 Exposition Boulevard, Suite 105
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071

Telephone: (213) 821-5916
Fax: (213) 821-5915

4. What documents are required with my application?

You must send financial support documentation in English, showing a minimum of $5,500 (USD). You are also required to send a copy of your passport and copies of your dependent(s) if applicable.

5. What is the financial statement? What should it include (amount, sponsorship letter, etc.)?
The financial statement is a certified letter from a bank certifying that the student/sponsor/family member has sufficient funds to cover the student's expenses while studying at Summer Law & English Program. All students requesting an I-20 must provide a financial statement. Each student must prove they have at least $5,500 for the four weeks of study. If you have dependents accompanying you to the U.S., you must provide proof of support for each dependent ($500/month for a spouse, $250/month per child). The financial statement should include the following information:

If the account referenced on the financial statement is NOT in your name, the account holder (sponsoring firm or individual) must send a letter of sponsorship/financial support letter certifying that they will accept full responsibility for all fees incurred while studying at Summer Law & English (program fees, housing, meals, living expenses).

6. If I already applied to the USC LL.M. Program, is it necessary for me to re-submit my financial support documents and passport copy?
No, you do not need to send your financial support documents and passport copy again if you have already applied to our LL.M. program. However, if you are ONLY applying to our Summer Law & English Program, please send these required items to the address listed above (#2).

7. Is there an application deadline?
Although there is no deadline to apply, program space and housing is limited. Admission is first-come, first-served. We recommend that you send all application documents by May 1. If you wish to apply later, you may still do so, but remember that it may be difficult to get a visa due to time constraints. If you apply or complete payment after June 1, you will be assessed a $100 late fee.

8. Is the TOEFL examination or LSAT required for admission to the Summer Law & English Program?
No.

9. Is there an age requirement to attend the Summer Law & English Program?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old at the start date of the program to enroll.

10. 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, it takes about two weeks to process the application. If any items are missing from your application, we will notify you of the specific item you need to submit to complete the application process. After the application is processed, admission materials will be sent to the address you submit on the application form. The admission packet is sent by express mail at no additional charge. International express mail takes 3 to 5 business days to arrive.

11. What is the I-20 Form? Do I need a Form I-20 to study at your school?
It is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students. You need the Form I-20 to apply for the F-1 visa. If you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have not been granted political asylum, you will need an I-20 Form from USC to apply for your student visa. You may not attend our program on a visitor’s visa.

12. How long does it take to receive the I-20?
We will only send your I-20 to you until all of your program fees have been received.  The I-20 is sent to the address on your application 2-3 weeks after you submit your completed application.

13. How long may I stay in the U.S. after the program ends?
If you are only enrolled in the Summer Law & English Program, you may legally stay in the U.S. 60 days after your I-20 end date (program end date).

14. How do I pay the fees?
After your application has been reviewed and an admissions decision has been made, we will send you an official admissions letter via email and postal mail. In the letter we will include a specific link for you to access in order for you to pay for the program fees via credit card.  You may also send a check or money order to the Summer Law & English Program office address listed above (#2).

If you are submitting your fee payment by international wire transfer, please refer to the following information below:

Bank of America
SWIFT: BOFAUS3N
CHIPS Address: 0959
Account Number: 14593-18994
Account Name: USC Wire Account

Reference: a.) STUDENT NAME and STUDENT ID Number

                  b.) Contact: Willy Tai

                  c.) Law School, Graduate & International Programs

                  d.) x02645

15. What fees are required with the application?
The Summer Law & English Program fees include:

16. What is included in the Summer Law & English Program tuition and university fees?

Total program tuition and university fees include:

17. When is the last day to pay the program fees?
All Summer Law & English program fees are due by June 1. If you complete payments after June 1, you will be assessed a $100 late fee.

18. What is your refund policy?
Program Fees: All fees for the Summer Law & English Program are non-refundable (unless your visa is denied). The Summer Law & English Program Application Fee is not refundable at any time.

Housing : All housing fees are non-refundable, unless we are unable to reserve a space for you, or your visa is denied. Refunds will not be given in the case that you cancel your housing reservation.

19. I am attending another university or English program 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 USC, you must submit the following items:

20. What kinds of courses will I take?

The Law Classes
The Summer Law & English Program offers an assortment of law classes introducing students to various areas of U.S. law. Courses are carefully selected to cater to the educational needs of foreign legal professionals. These courses may include, but are not limited to Administrative Law, Antitrust Law, Business Organizations, Commercial Law, Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property, International Business Transactions, Internet Law, Legal Methodology, The Legal Profession in America, Property Law, Securities Law, Tort Law & Product Liability and U.S. Courts and Jury Trials.

Legal English Classes
Summer Law & English Program participants will also take Legal English classes taught by professional ESL instructors from the Rossier School of Education Language Academy. Topics of discussion will be law-related, such as U.S. Supreme Court cases and articles on controversial issues and current events.

21. Will I receive university credit or a certificate for Summer Law & English Program courses?
The Summer Law & English Program is a non-degree program. Students who complete the Summer Law & English Program will receive a document from USC Gould School of Law that certifies their completion of the program. No university credit will be granted in connection with the program.

22. What are the Special Activities?
Special Activities are weekly trips and events to explore the sights and culture of USC and Los Angeles.  These activities generally occur on Friday afternoons and include a courthouse tour, a law firm tour, a museum visit, and a Dodger’s Baseball game.  The Special Activities are offered to enrolled students at no extra cost.

23. What are my on-campus housing options?
Summer Housing Options
In the summer, Summer Law & English Program participants live in fully furnished 1 or 2 bedroom apartments at a university owned apartment complex, Webb Tower. Webb Tower is a 14-story campus landmark (USC's tallest housing building), providing guests with spectacular view of the city. It is located on Jefferson and McClintock and is about 10-minutes walking distance from the Law School. During 2005, Webb was completely renovated and each apartment has new furniture, upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, new flooring, lighting and wall treatments.  Living room areas now have wireless internet and all apartment doors have card reader locks.  New common laundry and lounge rooms were added for our guest's comfort and convenience.  These apartments have a full kitchen (oven, stove, and refrigerator), private bathroom, a living room and dining area. Students may choose to share a bedroom or have a private bedroom in the apartment. USC housing is not mandatory; however, it provides students who then plan to enter into our master’s programs with adequate time to secure permanent housing prior to the beginning of the program.  Please see below for the Webb Tower address:

Webb Tower

1027 W. 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA  90007

24. What are my meal options?
All Webb Tower apartments come equipped with a kitchen so that you may prepare meals in your unit or you may eat at any of the on-campus dining facilities. 

25. What if I arrive after the office is closed? Where can I stay?
If you arrive before your check-in date or when the Summer Law & English Program 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. They have a special student rate of $120.00 per night for a single room and $125.00 per night for a double room. In order to receive the discount rate, you must call the hotel directly at (213) 748-4141 extension 1370 to make a reservation.  Please note rates may vary.

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.

26. What is provided in the university apartment?
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.

For students who choose to live in the university facilities, you will need to purchase basic cooking and linens (sheets, towels, dishes, pots & pans, utensils).  You should also bring blankets, a bedspread or comforter, pillow, alarm clock, toiletries, and hangers. You can purchase any of these items after you arrive. In addition, you might want to purchase small kitchen appliances.

27. Where should I send packages?
You can send packages to your apartment address at Web Tower, 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. Please make sure to label your package with your name, “Summer Law & English Program”, and your apartment number.

28. Can I choose my own roommate?
If you know someone that you would like to room with, please indicate the person's name on your housing application. We will do our best to honor your wishes.