Viterbi Summer Institute

USC Viterbi

The Viterbi Summer Institute (VSI) is a program designed to enhance the transition to USC for incoming first-year engineering students. The four-week program consists of one week of virtual engagement and three weeks of residential in-person programming that help prepare students to thrive as Viterbi students.

Benefits of Participating in VSI

College Expereince

Free on-campus experience

Build confidence and community through a free on-campus program designed to ease your transition to college.

Academic Development

Build college-level learning strategies

Develop advanced study and learning strategies to succeed in your first year and beyond.

Community & Events

Develop community at USC

Build your peer support network of new incoming students and upper-class students.

Resources

Exposure to USC and Viterbi resources

Discover undergraduate opportunties at USC relating to mental health, academics, and more!

Student Life

Learn about USC engineering clubs

Connect with student organizations that match your interests while building community, leadership skills, and real-world experience.

Excursions

Experience South Los Angeles

Explore Los Angeles through curated weekend excursions designed for students.

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What is Viterbi Summer Institute?

The Viterbi Summer Institute (VSI) is a 4-week immersive program designed to support incoming engineering students in their transition to USC. Through hands-on projects, workshops, and community-building experiences, students begin developing the mindset and skills of a modern engineer, before their first day of classes.

Who Should Apply?

Incoming Viterbi students who have accepted their offer letter
First-generation and/or students seeking early community
Students interested in hands-on learning and collaboration
Students curious about research, innovation, and real-world problem solving

What to Expect?

Workshops: Academic, professional, and technical skill-building sessions
Team Projects: Collaborate on real-world engineering challenges
Campus Navigation: Learn how to access key USC resourcess
Community Building: Form meaningful connections with peers and mentors
Weekend Excursions: Explore Los Angeles with VSI peers

Participant Expectations

All participants are expected to fully commit to the program experience, including both virtual and residential components.

Program Dates

Monday, June 22 - Saturday, July 18, 2026

Virtual Component: Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26, 2026
Residential Component: Saturday, June 27 - Saturday, July 18, 2026

Application Info

Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026

Housing Info

Students are required to stay in on-campus housing during the residential component of the program.

Housing and meals during the residential component of the program are sponsored by Viterbi Summer Institute.

Contact

Noe Mora

VSI Program Coordinator

VSI Alumni Spotlight

VSI Alumni Highlights

Hear from alums about their VSI experiences!

Carina Curiel Alaniz

Computer Science

VSI 2022 · Class of 2026

Now

Finishing up my final semester at USC!

Impact Focus

Accessible technology for underserved communities

Extracurricular Activities

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Mariachi Los Troyanos de USC
TAC 380 Teaching Assistant
Viterbi Impact

Future Goal

Become a software engineer at an impact-focused company, join a professional mariachi, and publish my own video game.

VSI Favorite Memory

Meeting people who I am still friends with today!

VSI Takeaway

Learning to balance academics with social life

Advice to Incoming Freshmen

Join student orgs! The majority of my professional development oppruntites have come from student orgs.

Emily Mojica

Computer Science and Business Administration

VSI 2021 · Class of 2026

Now

I'm finishing up my final semester of undergrad at USC!

Impact Focus

Empowering older adults to confidently navigate and use AI technologies

Extracurricular Activities

Women in Engineering
Viterbi Undergraduate Student Association
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
USC Football
Grand Challenges Scholars Program

Future Goal

Continue building community-focused initiatives and create opportunities that make technology more accessible to others.

VSI Favorite Memory

Leading my first RA group on a USC campus tour

VSI Takeaway

VSI taught me the importance of community, leadership, and showing up for others. It gave me the confidence to lead and put myself out there.

Advice to Incoming Freshmen

Don't be afraid to try something new! Explore, connect, and make the most of your time at USC!

Samantha Rubio-Campos

Computer Science Games

VSI 2023 · Class of 2027

Now

Preparing for my final year at USC! 🙂

Impact Focus

I volunteer with K-12 students for STEM outreach

Extracurricular Activities

Viterbi Funding Board
Society of Hispanic Engineers
Women in Engineering
Viterbi Undergraduate Student Association

Future Goal

To start my own game company/tech start up!

VSI Favorite Memory

Making the guys on our floor film a tiktok trend.

VSI Takeaway

A community of engineers who could be my lifelong friends and my biggest support system at USC.

Advice to Incoming Freshmen

Try everything and talk to as many people as you can!

Emmanuel Abolarin

Aerospace Engineering

VSI 2021 · Class of 2025

Now

Working sadly

Impact Focus

K-12 stem outreach for the most part

Extracurricular Activities

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers
USC Field Robotic Labs
USCADT
Much more

Future Goal

Become a billionaire

VSI Favorite Memory

Homework on zoom (the idea itself was funny)

VSI Takeaway

Diverse people

Advice to Incoming Freshmen

To win is to sacrifice

USC Viterbi FAQ

Interested in Supporting?

Your gift makes a world of a difference in supporting incoming undergradute Viterbi students. To donate click the link below or contact our staff at vjbs@usc.edu.