The USC College Advising Corps seeks to maximize its impact on improving college outcomes for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students.

We track data to assess the performance of our advisers and progress towards goals. We also contribute to the evaluation of the College Advising Corps programs across the U.S.

Launched in 2013, the USC CAC program has grown from serving three schools in one district to 46 schools in ten districts. We work hard to recruit and train passionate college graduates as USC CAC advisers who make a difference in the lives of over 10,000 students every year in guiding them on their paths to college.

Since 2013, USC CAC advisers have collectively provided college advising services to over 74,000 seniors. Our program works in high schools that have demonstrated need:

• 89% of students are underrepresented minorities (URM: Latinx, African American, American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander)
• 74% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch

Having conducted 224,503 one-on-one advising meetings and 207,917 group advising meetings since 2013, our USC CAC advisers have helped to achieve:

• 58,037 seniors to submit at least one college application
• $86.9 million in financial aid received by students
• 55,511 students to be enrolled in college!

Overall, we observe the college enrollment rate at a USC CAC-served school is 9% greater than other Title 1 schools in LA County (65% vs. 56% college enrollment rate).

Our advisers help their students reach important college-related objectives and outcomes.

In our partner schools, students who met with a USC CAC adviser were:

• 18% more likely to apply to college
• 19% more likely to apply for financial aid (FAFSA)
• 20% more likely to apply for a scholarship
• 6% more likely to be accepted to college

The results above are from an independent evaluation of the USC College Advising Corps program completed in 2018 by Stanford University, led by Eric Bettinger, Ph.D.

Impact Report

Our latest 2021 Impact Report for the USC College Advising Corps is now available. Please view the report below to understand how our USC CAC program has made a difference in the lives of over 55,000 LA students in its goal to improve college outcomes for high school students.