Important Steps
The content of this page can be found in our welcome letter [pdf] as well, feel free to download it!
Be sure not to miss out on any information regarding upcoming orientations, workshops, and meetings.
Checklists for Students
All Students
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Register for TA Orientation by July 28.
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Set up and regularly check your USC email.
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Set up Self Service Carolina .
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Let us know when you are planning to arrive.
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Check the Grad School new students website .
International Students
Required Orientation and Advising
- Attend Physics Orientation on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
- Attend your advising appointment on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
- Attend Lab/Studio Orientation on Monday, August 18, 2025, as instructed.
All Students
- Attend TA Orientation. Check your email for dates.
- Register for classes.
- Enroll in health insurance.
- Pay your tuition bill.
- Complete Part 1 of the I-9 form online.
- Complete Part 2 of the I-9 form in the office.
- Get your Carolina Card.
- Check in with James about office assignments.
- Set up direct deposit.
- Make sure your transcripts have been sent to the Graduate School.
- Submit any conditions listed in your offer letter by the end of the semester, including official paperwork or other required documentation.
- Check Self Service Carolina to make sure you do not have any holds.
- Check to make sure your vaccines are up to date.
International Students
- Complete the tax form. This form will be emailed to you.
- Complete ITA Orientation.
- Complete the English proficiency exam.
- Apply for a Social Security number.
Everyone who will be a TA must attend the TA workshops prior to the start of classes. You will receive an email with the date and time. The workshops are a requirement to receive your TA.
Useful resources regarding the GTA/GIA Training can be found on the dedicated page of the Graduate School.
As a requirement, all students are expected to be a teaching assistant for at least one semester during the program (even if you start with an RA in your first semester). We therefore strongly recommend that you go ahead and take the GTA/GIA training.
International Students
As an International student, you will be required to take a few more steps, other than the ones mentioned above.
You are required to attend the international student orientation and TA training workshops. You will also be required to take the TA assessments to ensure your English skills are satisfactory for teaching. Don’t wait until the last minute to practice your English! The assessment is in the form of a microlesson assignment, which is taught to a small group. We also gathered a set of possible topics for the microlesson; feel free to be inspired.
TA Assessment Workshops
Possible Topics for Microlessons
- Gravitational force
- Energy
- Hooke’s Law
- Newton’s First Law
- Newton’s Third Law
- Atomic structure
- Gravitation
- Exoplanets
- Friction
- Coulomb’s Law
- Electric potential
- Free fall
- Law of reflection
- Solar system
Remember: Keep it simple. Your target audience is undergraduate students. Keep the microlesson within 5 to 7 minutes, including time for questions.
Possible Topics for Microlessons
- Gravitational force
- Energy
- Hooke’s Law
- Newton’s First Law
- Newton’s Third Law
- Atomic structure
- Gravitation
- Exoplanets
- Friction
- Coulomb’s Law
- Electric potential
- Free fall
- Law of reflection
- Solar system
Remember: Keep it simple. Your target audience is undergraduate students. Keep the microlesson within 5 to 7 minutes, including time for questions.
If you receive a graduate assistantship, you will be required to complete a Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification). A list of acceptable documents to use as identification is included. Please note that these documents must be unexpired originals. If you are an international student, please bring your passport, I-94, and I-20. If you have any questions about an acceptable document, please let us know.