FAQs

Beginning Spring 2026, Dornsife Advising is introducing a Cluster Advising model for undergraduate students. Instead of being assigned to a single advisor, you will now be supported by an academic advising case team within your major focus area.

This approach allows you to meet with any advisor on your case team, increasing appointment availability and flexibility. All advisors on your team have access to information regarding your academic goals, progress, and questions, ensuring a more connected, consistent, and student-centered advising experience.

A case team (also called a Success Team) is a group of academic advisors who work collaboratively to support students within a specific major or focus area. This team-based approach ensures you receive timely, informed, and equitable advising support, even if one advisor is unavailable.

A focus area is a subdivision within an academic advising cluster. Dornsife Advising has three clusters: Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and each cluster contains two focus areas. Your major determines your assigned focus area and case team.

You can find your advising case team by logging into AdviseUSC: On the homepage, look for your “Success Team” (typically located in the bottom right corner), or Use the “Advisor Connect” tab to view advisors and schedule appointments by clicking an advisor’s name or selecting “Schedule an Appointment.”

 You may meet with any advisor on your case team within your focus area. If you prefer continuity with a specific advisor, you may request appointments with that advisor when available.

No. You are welcome to meet with any advisor on your assigned case team, regardless of whether your previous advisor is still at USC.

That’s up to you. You may choose to meet with the same advisor when available or schedule with any advisor on your case team based on your needs and availability.

Yes. AdviseUSC securely stores your advising history, including course plans and advising notes. If an advisor leaves, your case team will still have full access to your records, ensuring continuity of support.

No. In fact, the case team model typically increases availability because you can schedule with any advisor within your focus area, rather than waiting for a single advisor.

 You can schedule an appointment with any advisor on your case team through AdviseUSC, which helps ensure you receive timely support.

Yes. Beginning this semester, all students are required to meet at least once with a member of their case team to have advising restrictions cleared.

Support Cases are the official and primary way to communicate with your advisor. Questions should be submitted through AdviseUSC rather than sent by email. How to Create a Support Case

To help us support you efficiently, please open one support case with one advisor at a time. While your case is open, submit all related questions and updates within that same case so your advisor has full context and can respond effectively.

Once your issue has been resolved and the case is closed, you are welcome to open a new support case if a different or new concern arises.

First-Year Students: All Dornsife freshman students are advised by First-Year Advisors (FYA), who are generalist advisors trained to support students across all Dornsife majors.

Transfer and Continuing Students: These students are advised by cluster-based case teams, whose advisors are trained on the majors within their assigned clusters.

All Dornsife advisors are trained on the curriculum and requirements for majors within their cluster. Advisors also work closely with their case teams to share knowledge and consult as needed, ensuring you receive accurate, consistent, and well-supported guidance.

Any member of your advising case team can provide one-on-one support, review degree requirements, and help ensure you are on track for graduation.

Any advisor on your assigned case team can assist with questions related to academic progress, enrichment opportunities, and overall academic planning.