One of USC’s strongest selling points is its pride in the “Trojan Family.” It’s abundantly evident from the way campus seems to be bleeding red and yellow with weekly alumni events, on-campus tailgating and, of course, the infamous Trojan Family Weekend that was just celebrated the first weekend of October. 

The University thrives off of a lucrative feedback loop that involves incentivizing the USC experience while attending the university and after graduating, an invitation that extends to friends and family as well. It is almost disorienting to see how many people are present on campus for tailgates and events from children to grandparents, even dogs repping (expensive) USC merch and gladly joining the fun. 

USC is rooted in roots; that is, connectedness is highly favored and highly effective, even when it comes to admissions decisions. 

As someone who failed to properly research before applying to universities in high school, I was only vaguely aware of this reputation. Though I quickly encountered one of the manifestations of USC’s intense focus on legacy and connection: the Trojan Transfer Plan. 

After getting accepted into USC as a freshman, I attempted to defer my enrollment for a year while my family recently relocated to Paris. Not to mention the majority of USC courses were remote for the 2020-2021 academic year due to COVID and attending class with an eight-hour time delay was not exactly appealing to me. 

So, when my deferment request was rejected, I un-enrolled and attended The American University of Paris instead with the intention of reapplying as a transfer after discovering they offered a range of courses that are USC course equivalents. 

During my year in Paris, I was surprised — and admittedly angry — to discover there were a number of students at AUP also hoping to transfer to USC who were in direct contact with USC advisors, had course plans for major and GE requirements, and coincidentally all had family members that were USC alumni. I had unknowingly discovered the allusive students of the Trojan Transfer Plan. 

After speaking to these students, I found that the Trojan Transfer Plan is an admissions decision that allows rejected applicants an opportunity to attend an institution with USC transferable coursework as freshmen before re-applying to transfer as sophomores.  Unlike the standard transfer application, most students granted this lesser-known option are legacy students.

According to Socrates Post and The American University of Paris, the expectations for those granted the Trojan Transfer Plan involve maintaining above a 3.6 GPA with a completion of 30 transferable credits (a combination of GE’s and major requirements). So while it does not automatically guarantee admission, it certainly sets those accepted up for success as it deliberately plans a neat segue into USC that traditional transfer students do not possess. 

I was hit with the realization that members of the Trojan Transfer Plan would have a leg-up on me in the admissions process. The thought that the fate of whether or not I would be re-accepted into USC as a transfer student could very well be dependent on the fact that I do not have family members that attended the university, was terrifying. 

While the USC does not have any sources or data on the Trojan Transfer Plan available — which solidifies its prestige as existing on a “need-to-know basis” — it reinforces the concept that USC is an institution backed by connections and personal ties. It makes the demographic of people who are willing to shell out nearly $100 on an outfit from the bookstore, to wear to a $60 reserved on-campus tailgate in preparation for a $100 football game more understandable … ish. The commitment of the Fight On spirit runs blood deep, for better or for worse. 

Ever since my discovery of the Trojan Transfer Plan, as well as its unbeknownst to the general student body, I have been hesitant and skeptical about wholeheartedly participating in USC pride and pep. The existence of a program that propels those fortunate enough to have uncles or sisters that attended USC over others has left a sour taste in my mouth that makes my Fight On peace sign look more like wilted bunny ears. 

Fight on, I guess.