“Make an effort to find your community, whether that’s a few classmates, a student organization, or a study group. Most importantly, keep your goals in mind — they’ll guide you through challenges and help you stay focused.”
No matter what professional, cultural and recreational pursuits intrigue you most, you’ll find what you’re looking for at USC and in Los Angeles—one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world. From world-class museums, music, and global cuisine to beaches, hiking trails, and major sporting events, students are immersed in a vibrant cultural landscape while gaining access to one of the most innovative healthcare, biotech, and startup ecosystems anywhere.
Whether you’re conducting research, volunteering in local clinics or presenting at national conferences, your learning extends far beyond the classroom. Just as importantly, you’ll build meaningful connections through student organizations, cultural communities, campus events, and recreational experiences that enrich your perspective and balance your academic journey. Through these opportunities—and through interprofessional collaboration—you’ll graduate not just with knowledge, but with a network and real-world experience.
At USC Mann, campus life isn’t just about where you study—it’s about who you become.
What is your advice to new students getting acclimated to campus and to L.A.?
Cynthia Acevedo
PharmD Student, Class of 2029
What is your advice to new students getting acclimated to campus and to L.A.?
Ali Elmashat
PharmD Student, Class of 2029
Why is it great to be a student in Los Angeles?
“Being in Los Angeles has let me interact with a diverse community from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. L.A. is divided into groups with varying traditions, wealth and opportunity. Learning the stories that have shaped these communities builds a layered perspective unique to the city.”
Juny Romero
B.S., Pharmacology and Drug Development, Class of 2028
Why is it great to be a student in Los Angeles?
“Los Angeles is such a fun city to live in as a student because there are so many things to do. It’s a hub for so many different industries and opportunities, with amazing food, concerts, sports, beaches and hiking. I am always looking to try new things, and even after living here for a year, I still have so much to explore.”
Alaina Carman
PharmD Student, Class of 2029
What is unique about being a student at USC?
“The student spirit is truly unparalleled. Our student body is composed of the brightest, most ambitious, and outgoing individuals. As a Trojan, my environment and peers inspire me every day to strive for my highest potential.”
Linh Truong
B.S., Pharmacology and Drug Development, Class of 2028
Organizational Success and Well-being
Organizational Success and Well-being
Organizational Success & well-Being
We know diverse organizations achieve better outcomes. We welcome people from all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives and are committed to creating a thriving community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni that is a reflection of the communities we broadly serve.
Student Organizations
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
USC Mann Associated Student Pharmacists represents the PharmD student body of USC Mann.
~800 members
The Pharmacy Graduate Alliance (PGA) is the governing student body for those in the school’s research-oriented master’s and PhD degree programs.
Honor Societies
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is one of the nation’s oldest and largest honor societies, and includes members from all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi is USC’s oldest honor society, established at the university in 1924. The society aims to unite the various separate academic units of USC in the common pursuit and recognition of scholarly standards. Membership is by invitation only, with members initiated each spring on the basis of academic excellence.
This national pharmacy leadership society was founded at Auburn University in 1965 and USC’s chapter was established in 1988. The honor society is devoted to identifying, supporting and recognizing the contributions of pharmacy students to their colleges, classmates, campuses, communities and profession.
6 members
The Theta Chapter of Rho Chi was established at USC in 1925. A national pharmacy honor society, Rho Chi encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy. To be nominated, students must have completed two years of the professional curriculum, be among the top 20% of their class and be approved by the dean of the school.
80 members
Service Organizations
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
This honorary service organization was established at USC in 1930. Eligibility for Skull and Mortar membership is attained by active extracurricular participation in student service at USC or the school, or in the School’s student body.
68 members
Founded in 2008, the USC Chapter of SNPhA is an educational service organization dedicated to bridging the gap between health access and health disparities. Membership is open to pharmacy students who are interested in organizing and executing programs aiming to improve the health, educational and social environment of the community.
17 members
PharmSC Clinic is a student organization at USC Mann. With a mission to create a collaborative effort among practicing pharmacists and student pharmacists, PharmSC clinic provides a free student-run clinic that offers screenings in diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension. We strive to serve the pharmacy clinical needs of the surrounding underserved populations in Los Angeles and to provide health education to the general public.
~352 members
MAPSC is the first organization on campus that bridges the gap between pharmacy and other health professional schools, providing students of these professions opportunities to work closely together towards a common goal through a unique experience of volunteering at the USC Student-Run Clinic. At the clinic, pharmacy students will work in a team that includes other students from the Medicine, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs.
55 members
Social Organizations
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
A regional pharmacy fraternity, Alpha Iota Pi was founded at USC in 1940. Its objectives are to promote the profession of pharmacy, encourage closer relationships with both faculty and fellow students, foster the development of outstanding character and leadership, and support high standards of scholarship.
124 members
Lambda Kappa Sigma, a national pharmacy fraternity, was organized at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1913 and was established at USC in 1921.
39 members
A national pharmacy fraternity, Phi Delta Chi was founded at the University of Michigan in 1883, with the Omicron chapter established at USC in 1909. Its purpose is to advance the science of pharmacy, develop leadership, and network for and promote cooperation and friendship among its members. The Omicron Alumni group provides scholarships for active members.
91 members
Professional Organizations
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is a national organization with 14 student chapters nationwide. The AMCP-USC Chapter was established in 2000. It is the only chapter west of the Mississippi, making the organization a unique opportunity for USC pharmacy students to explore career options and interests in the managed-care pharmacy setting. Although the primary focus is managed-care pharmacy (HMOs, pharmacy benefit management (PBMs) and other health plans), the organization also maintains connections with pharmaceutical industry.
102 members
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Student Chapter promotes MS and PhD student participation in the organization’s activities at the local, regional and national levels.
The American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA) is a student alliance between five independent professional organizations: American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), California Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (CSHP) and International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). USC Mann maintains an active chapter of APhA-ASP, affiliated with APA, CSHP and CPhA. Students have representation in the House of Delegates of these organizations, serve on policy committees and receive the journals of both the national and state organizations. The APSA local student chapter meets regularly to consider issues of professional interest and to sponsor professional programs.
185 members
35 members
AAPP – USC is an organization devoted to the improvement and advancement of education, practice and science and/or the interests of those who practice or desire to practice in the area of psychiatric or neurologic pharmacy.
Learn more about AAPP – USC’s Naloxone Distribution Program.
50 members
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents independent pharmacy owners and practitioners. Established in 2003, the USC student chapter focuses on creating opportunities for students who specifically want to learn about independent pharmacy. The organization’s goal is to increase student involvement by raising political awareness about issues facing independent pharmacies; educating student members on how to obtain ownership and operate their own pharmacies; establishing relationships between students and independent pharmacists; and by providing hands-on experience in different aspects of independent pharmacy, including compounding. Furthermore, NCPA provides members with a chance to become involved through local, state and national positions.
35 members
The Student Industry Association (SIA) exists to prepare, educate and inform USC School of Pharmacy students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Through panel discussions with industry representatives, seminars, career development education, internship opportunities, unique conferences and a mentorship program, SIA provides a wealth of untapped resources and exposure to this dynamic area of pharmacy.
~150 members