University of Southern California Top Questions

Best thing about USC: Feeling like I'm learning from all areas -- classes, extracurriculars, Visions and Voices program (arts initiative), socially Change: Housing situation - currently university housing is guaranteed only for first two years, and most sophomores aren't on campus. Size: feels right to me Reaction when I go to USC: I feel like USC is at a turning point right now. Only in the last few years has it really started climbing the academic rankings and veer away from its past image of a school for rich kids. For the most part, the reaction I get is fairly positive and often followed up with football related topics. College town -- no! you're in downtown LA. It's an urban setting and safety isn't the best, but like being in any other city, you'll be fine as long as you think about your actions USC Administration -- don't know enough about it to comment Controversy - not sure School pride -- YES! I come from high school that had no school spirit and pride. Now i'm at usc, where everywhere you go on any day people are sporting USC clothes in red and gold. I love it! Unusual - night walks around campus reveal a lot of secret places and sculptures that you usually don't notice. it's quite serene and fun One experience to remember -- too many; first football game and taking in the immense size and spirit, and often just walking to class and thinking 'I am so happy to have chosen to come here.' Frequent complaints: housing situation, freshman year: quality of food at dining hall

USC is an excellent school. The school may seem large, but it seems just about right. People react well. I spend most of my time in my dorm or in class. One would usually not venture outside of campus for fear of mugging and the sort. There is considerable school pride here. I believe that the administration and the faculty often try to push their political agendas on students, which I find abhorrent and counterproductive to a balanced education.

The best thing about USC is it's location. We are in the heart of Los Angeles, and a much more interesting area of Los Angeles than our fellow LA school. From the USC campus you can get to tons of cool places around the city by way of a bus system that is much more convenient and efficient than LA gets credit for. One thing I'd change is the administration. Sometimes it is very difficult for students to work their way the bureaucracy to get help. I wanted a large school so I could study a wide range of topics and meet people with varied interests. I also wanted a school with strong spots in multiple areas. USC is precisely that. When I tell people I go to USC they usually mention how much the school has improved in the past fifteen years. The attitude towards and character of the school is evolving into one befitting an honorable and prestigious institution, while still maintaining its relaxed Southern California feel. I spend most of my time on campus in the big lobby of my wonderful dorm which is quiet enough to study in, but welcoming enough to socialize in. Los Angeles is a bit too big to be college-centered enough to be called a college town. The surrounding area is not very USC-focused, but as USC evolves it is getting more involved in the community and gaining the community's respect. The people I meet from around the campus all root for the teams and feel very close to the school, rather than as if the school is infringing on the community. My opinion of the USC administration is that it could do with a little more organization. The biggest recent controversy on campus was about seating at the Coliseum, where the football team plays. But I think the most important recent controversy was about the school apparel. Apparently, it is made in sweat shops. But there is a significant grassroots movement called SCALE working to change that. The administration isn't too receptive, but more and more students are getting involved and soon the administration will feel the pressure. As I have mentioned before, the merit of USC lies in its students and professors, not in the administration. There is a ridiculous amount of school pride, mostly spurred by the success of the football team. USC isn't too unusual. It is probably a lot more diverse than one would expect and than what one would find at another university. But everyone mixes together to make up a wonderful student body. The mix of people is representative of the mixed-up, blended, diverse nature of the city, Los Angeles, the greatest city in the world. I will always remember the first jazz performance I went to at the school's main auditorium. It was incredible. USC attracts an impressive selection of renowned artists to come and perform and it is always amazing. The most frequent student complaints are about things like housing and frustration with paperwork.

Best thing- you will find your niche because there are so many things to get involved in. I would change the "frattiness"-- just meaning that fraternity and sorority people, not all of them of course (some of my best friends are in sororities), but they're not always so nice. I mean, you find not-so-great people anywhere, but it just seemed very pronounced at USC that some people hold the opinion that if they cannot see something physically in common with you, then they will probably not talk to you. I have to stress again though, not everyone at USC is like this at ALL, and I have found terrific friends- people with the most giving, loyal, and warm hearts I've ever met. Since I'm from the east coast, when I say I go to USC, people always assume South Carolina. It helps to say you go to school in Los Angeles, but no, not at UCLA. One thing I have to say about the administration is that they've been really unresponsive about the anti-sweatshop protests regarding USC apparel sourcing, particularly in the past two years. I think it would have behooved them to act on that issue instead of let it carry on so long, despite the arguably unfavorable tactics involved on the part of the activists. They could have been avoided if it had just been taken care of like it has been at so many other schools. This is not a college town; this is south-central LA. Sign up for Zipcar if you're not bringing a car and expect to run any errands ever, other than the grocery store.

I like going to USC - everyone has at least heard of it because of our football team. But after the initial name recognition, they also know it for being a good school. I like the size: big enough to have all of the resources of a large university, but small enough that I recognize people when I'm walking across campus. The campus itself is also small enough to walk across in 20 minutes. Much more convenient than a huge sprawling campus that you have to take a bus across (though there are trams if you would prefer). And, the campus is beautiful. There are always flowers blooming somewhere, and there is almost always a fountain within view. There is a tremendous amount of school pride, which I knew I wanted in a college. You get the "college experience" here, with the football team, the clubs and organizations, the school pride, etc. The only thing missing is the "college town feel." The area immediately surrounding campus is void of fun/casual hangouts. There are restaurants and one bar, but not good ones. You'll have to drive across town to the UCLA area (it pains me to say so, as they are our biggest rivals) to get that college feel in Westwood. BUT, USC and Los Angeles are both working to revamp the University Park area and the downtown area, respectively. So, in the next few years, who knows what it could be like?

the school spirit = best thing! i would change the location...i wish it were where ucla is! i love the size though...i love that you see people you know all the time but can avoid them if necessary. i dont think enough people recognize that usc is a good school when i tell them. more people reacted positively to me saying i got into NYU. EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE BIO DEPARTMENT. i wasnt having fun here until i got my car. football games are fun. i have no idea who usc's administration really is, i feel really distant from them.

I think the best thing about USC is the amount of opportunities here. There are so many different and diverse things to participate in, there is something for almost everyone. There is also generally a welcoming atmosphere among students I'd say, most people appreciate each other. I think the school is just the right size, large enough for there to be tons of people to meet and things to do, but not so huge that you get lost. One complaint I have is that sometimes, some of the facilities for regular students could be improved, for example the lyon center. While the varsity athletes have several weight rooms with excellent equipment (from what I have heard), the regular students and other athletes only have the lyon center, which does not have the best equipment and is not necessarily fit for intense athletic training. I would like to see more squat racks and powerclean platforms, either that or give other athletes (I am a competitive martial artist) access to the varsity weight rooms.

Location is one of the best things about USC. The weather is generally really nice. Professors are a big key to what makes USC awesome. I've yet to encounter the stereotypical stuffy, monotone professor who makes you want to jump out the window. USC is a little big for my tastes. If you went to a school with a graduating class of 100 people like I did, you'll feel a little crazed walking to class and not seeing a single familiar face. If you're from the east coast and you want to come to USC, be prepared to face the hoards of people who then ask you why you're going to South Carolina. I never thought people were really that dense. Or, if they know USC, they ask you if you went to any football games. I know our football team is great, but we are a pretty good school academically, too! Personally, as I'm in one of the newer, nicer dorms (Parkside IRC), I like to spend a lot of my time in the dorm socializing. Commons can be a good place to hang out, if it's not too crowded or loud. My favorite place is one of the many cafes sprinkled around campus. You can watch news, do work, eat lunch, and enjoy the weather all at once. Although we're right near downtown Los Angeles, the area immediately surrounding USC's campus is not very safe. It's not a sure thing that if you walk out there, you're going to get mugged, but why take the chance? Hence, the walls and gates around the campus make you feel like you're in your own little bubble sometimes. Recently, there was what was called a "riot" a couple of blocks north of campus at a USC party, but in reality it was just drunken, belligerent frat boys who didn't want to move out of the street. A lot of cops were called in and it caused a lot of controversy between the partiers and the academics at USC. School pride floods USC. Everyone has at least one USC shirt or sweatshirt. As I was writing this, I looked out my window and saw someone walking their dog, and their dog was wearing a USC sweater. If you don't go to the football games, you might feel a little alienated, but I did it and it's survivable. Most student complaints arise from dealing with DPS (Department of Public Safety). They're the bike Nazis. If your bike's not registered, it's out.

The one thing I love about USC is the diverse groups of people on campus- you really can find a group of people to set into. Also, the weather is fantastic, it was 80 degrees and sunny here one day while it was snowing in Philadelphia. The one thing I'd change would be its location, there are always reports going out about people walking home late at night and getting mugged. Also since I'm a runner I HATE the air quality.

I would say that USC's campus would be a high selling point. USC's location may not be the safest, but the campus itself has high security and has lots of greenery. As for the safety issue, there is a free service called the "Campus Cruiser," which drops students who live near campus home past 5PM to ensure safety. USC has many organizations to choose from and there are lots of events to attend. For example, the Visions and Voices Arts and Humanities Initiative recently began giving students, faculty and alumni the opportunity to experience art shows, plays, musicals, and tours of the city for free or a minimal fee. If you are a football fan, then you'll be at the right place! The value of a USC education is high. The school is well known and companies recruiting pay attention to students who have a USC degree. Aside from that, the alumni network is strong.