The University of Southern California

I applied to USC because they had a clear and easy application process. I considered it a backup school and did not intend on coming since it was so far (I'm from the east coast). However I didn't get into my top choices and after visiting my second choice (G-Tech) I discovered that I did not like it there. So I decided to give USC a chance and visited the campus and really liked it.

This is the case I see with a great number of students here: USC wasn't their first choice school but somehow they ended up coming and are glad that they did.

Social scene:

The student body is incredibly diverse: party animals, gamers, international, republicans, democrats… so long as you look around, you're almost guaranteed to fit in somewhere. Student orgs, sports clubs, etc. are easy to find and join. Football games are like big festivals, and are an experience all to their own. Greek life is popular but not necessary. However, it is what you make of it; if you decide you want to stay in bed and do nothing, no one will stop you.

The city:

LA is a great city. Many say USC is in the ghetto but that is not true. While maybe not as nice as Westwood, it is safe: you can rarely walk on or near campus at any time of night without seeing campus security. Although inconvenient without one, a car isn't necessary; I manage to hitch rides from friends or use the bus. Once you figure out how to get around, there's a lot to see in and around LA… little tokyo, santa monica, griffith park, I love them all.

Classes:

Difficulty depends on your highschool background and major. It takes time to get used to the fact that everyone here is at least somewhat smart since they managed to get in. Therefore, you have to do better than you did in an average high school to do well. Engineering, Biomed, and Architecture are the hardest majors. Business and Comm seem to the easiest if you know what you're doing. Most professors are decent, and can easily be reached via email and office hours. I've liked most of my teachers except for that in Physics… his teaching methods didn't fit my learning style. If you realize you have a really bad teacher, you have a couple weeks to switch out of the class, although I've rarely heard of people doing this.

Tuition:

The biggest downside is the cost, but USC offers great financial aid. In fact, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for their generous financial aid… even if you don't think you can afford it, its worth applying, finaid will help you out. If it doesn't do enough, you can always appeal.

The biggest problem is

Networking:

I'd say the biggest advantage of going here is the "Trojan Family," the concept that you're always part of the Trojan family even after you graduate. It offers great networking, social opportunities, and just a sense of school pride which lasts a lifetime. The saying goes "one is a bruin for 4 years, but a trojan for life" :)

School programs:

From free tutoring to resume review and career fairs, USC offers a multitude of programs for students, and have been really helpful for me. Visions and Voices and the student involvement fair are worth a look.

Conclusion:

While the place has its ups and downs, I would never trade my experience here with any other. I have met great people and learned a lot. There are countless opportunities here. But in the end, A UNIVERSITY IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOU MAKE IT. The opportunities are easy to find here, but they will not come to find you. It pays off to try new things and meet new people. But if you need someone to push you into new experiences, this school is not for you: go to a smaller school, preferably liberal arts.

I hope this helped, and good luck!