{"id":694,"date":"2023-03-28T15:22:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T22:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/?page_id=694"},"modified":"2026-09-11T10:24:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T17:24:57","slug":"information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/earth\/graduate\/information\/","title":{"rendered":"Information for New Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Welcome to the Graduate Program at USC Earth Sciences!\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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Here is a brief summary of what you can expect when you arrive. Please feel free to contact\u00a0Darlene Garza<\/a>, the Staff Graduate Advisor, with any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n

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Mandatory International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Training<\/h3>\n \n \n
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International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) Information – The American Language Institute is responsible for evaluating English proficiency, and for providing the necessary training to help ITAs obtain the language skills necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. This training may include enrollment in courses which focus on the communication skills needed for teaching. Please visit the\u00a0American Language Institute<\/a>\u00a0for more information, or contact Darlene Garza (garzadar@usc.edu<\/a>) with any questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Immigration Status Verification (ISV) for International Students<\/h3>\n \n \n
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Upon arrival in the United States, all new and continuing international\u00a0F-1<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0J-1<\/span>\u00a0students and J-1 scholars are required to complete Immigration Status Verification (ISV) with\u00a0the Office of Interntational Services<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

ISV is a mandatory online check-in process for international students and scholars that confirms their entry into the United States and verifies their immigration status, ensuring they are eligible to begin their academic program or appointment at USC on their scheduled start date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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USC Graduate Student Orientation <\/h3>\n \n \n
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This orientation is usually scheduled on the Monday during Registration Week. While this orientation is not mandatory, it can be very useful. All first-time students are charged a mandatory orientation fee. For more information, please see the\u00a0Orientation information and registration<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Mandatory Dornsife TA Training<\/h3>\n \n \n
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The Dornsife TA Training is mandatory for all new teaching assistants, including<\/em> international students who have taken the (equally) mandatory ITA TA training. All new students will also enroll in GEOL-593 Practicum in Teaching the Liberal Arts (2 units) their first fall semester.<\/p>\n

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Department of Earth Sciences Orientation and New Grad Student Field Trip<\/h3>\n \n \n
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The department has the following events planned for you starting the week before classes begin:<\/p>\n