First Semester in D.C.’s inaugural cohort reflects on unique beginning to their USC experience

Most USC freshmen anticipate beginning their college experience in Los Angeles, but this year a group of more than 50 new students began their Trojan experience as part of the USC Capital Campus’ inaugural First Semester in D.C. program cohort.

“Studying in Washington, D.C., as an international relations and global business major, has honestly been the best way to start college,” said Lielle Katz, one of the 57 participating students. “Touring Capitol Hill, meeting professionals in policy and having class discussions that tie directly into what I see around me every day has made this ‘nontraditional’ first semester feel incredibly meaningful.”

The program invites incoming freshmen to expand their academic journey from coast to coast by starting their first year in the nation’s capital. The program launched in August with students representing eight USC schools and nearly 30 majors ranging from political science to aerospace engineering to business administration.

First Semester in D.C.: A wide-ranging education 

“The First Semester in D.C. program allowed me to gain insight into topics that interested me outside of engineering, which I never would have looked into before. I also completed several general education requirements, which allows me to have a more flexible schedule when I move to the Los Angeles campus,” aerospace engineering major Tan Tandogan said. “The D.C. program scratched an itch I never knew I had.”

Students participating in the program benefit from small class sizes, interactive discussions and a close-knit cohort supported by expert faculty mentors and Capital Campus staff. The program’s carefully designed curriculum centers on general education requirements, with an emphasis on history, writing and leadership. First Semester in D.C. professors also use Washington as their classroom, taking advantage of the Capital Campus’ central location to extend their teaching. Students visited the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, embassies and Smithsonian museums, while engaging with speakers across government, media and academia.

“USC Capital Campus faculty and staff created a positive environment for me and my [cohort] classmates to learn and freely express our opinions,” said student Chase Williams, who is studying business administration. “They were always available to us, willing to answer any questions, and had our best interest at heart.”

“The immense interest we received in this program is a testament to its foundational importance in ensuring our students are well-rounded, thoughtful, globally minded citizens,” USC Capital Campus Executive Director Elyse Levine said. “Students were immediately immersed in the inner workings of our nation from their first semester in college — witnessing how the policies, laws and politics in D.C. impact their future industries and careers, no matter their major. They also began their college journey in a smaller cohort and will transition to Los Angeles with a group of tight-knit friends and an expanded perspective that will inform the rest of their college experience.”

Benefits of the First Semester in D.C. program

This semester, students in the First Semester program took full advantage of the opportunities including attending dinners with alumni, participating in scavenger hunts and forming interest groups including the Trojan Diplomatic Corps, for students interested in international relations and foreign policy; USC D.C. Filmmakers, for students interested in discussing movies; and the USC Runs D.C. running group.

Benefits of the program include living in dedicated USC housing in Washington and immediate access to USC financial aid. Students also are eligible for two scholarships exclusively available to Trojans participating in programs at the Capital Campus, the Epstein Family D.C. Student Experience Scholarship and the Leslee Sherrill Scholarship.

“The opportunity to study in Washington, D.C., for my first semester at USC was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I knew I had to take,” First Semester in D.C. student and Epstein Scholar Giovanni Huang said. “After receiving my acceptance and the Epstein Family D.C. Student Experience Scholarship, I was over the moon, yelling and screaming with joy. The immediate impact was felt both financially and emotionally; it was a moment that I will never forget and will be forever grateful for.”

The program builds upon the strong momentum at the Capital Campus, with new academic programs launching this spring and summer.