What is the Gamecock Verto Semester?
Gamecock Verto Semester is a unique international academic and co-curricular experience designed to ensure a seamless transition from studying overseas to starting classes on USC Columbia’s campus. Students will be invited to participate in a semester-long program before starting at USC the following spring semester. Students must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA and earn at least 12 transferable credit hours for a successful transition to USC.
As part of the Gamecock Verto Semester, students can:
- Join other first-year students overseas with the support and safety of the Verto team.
- Earn college credit hours pre-approved by USC for their degree.
- Develop academic and life skills through regular meetings with faculty and mentors.
- Participate in academic and hands-on experiences to help decide if a major is right for them.
- Learn about new cultures and give back to the local community.
Locations
Students can choose between five amazing Verto locations:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Prague, Czech Republic
- London, England
- Florence, Italy
- Seville, Spain
Each program has a wide range of academic interests that allow students to explore and learn before committing to a major at USC.
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition for the semester abroad ranges from $18,500-$29,750 depending on the location, which includes course registration, experiential learning, housing, airport reception, comprehensive orientation, books, excursions, and more (airfare not included). Verto offers scholarships and financial aid to offset costs.
Pathway to USC
To have a successful transfer experience to USC, Gamecock Verto Semester students need to:
- Complete 12 transferable earned credit hours (15 transferable earned credit hours recommended)
- Achieve a 2.75+ GPA on a 4.0 scale
Students who complete the minimum transferable credit hours requirement for their program and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA are guaranteed transfer admission into any non-competitive USC majors.
Health & Safety
We understand that safety will always be your family’s top concern when planning your experience abroad. That's why Verto's on-site staff are trained in emergency response and student affairs best practices, and they are up-to-date on regional trends and local conditions. They also have robust safety and risk-management plans covering each location and program activity. Verto partners with one of the largest emergency response and travel advisory companies in the world, giving families access to updates on location, climate and a massive medical network.
As an additional resource, all students are enrolled in international travel medical insurance (included in their program fee) and have access to travel assist emergency services via the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you are still on the waitlist. Should a spot open up at USC, you will be notified via email that you have been pulled from the waitlist and can attend USC in the fall.
Guaranteed on-campus housing for students participating in the Gamecock Verto Semester program will be available for spring semester at USC.
The Darla Moore School of Business and the College of Nursing have competitive majors and are not included in Gamecock Verto Semester.
Please visit this page to learn more about our Verto Direct Transfer Pathway.
More Information
Visit the Verto Education website, where you can learn more about applying for financial aid, course information and much more!