University of Southern California Top Questions

Go with your gut instinct, and live it to the fullest. After all, college only happens once.

Be excited! This is going to be one of the best times of your life. You are going to meet so many new people and really discover who you are and what you want in life. Take tours of the campuses you are really interested in and try to talk to current students at that university to get some first hand insight and advise. Take advantage of all the resources your university offers. Seek help if you should ever need it, your professors are getting paid to help YOU! Get involved in whatever makes you happy, I was a choir nerd in high school and now I'm in an a cappella group in college; there is something for everyone, no matter what you are interested in. It really helps to be involved in something you enjoy because school gets pretty stressful, so it's nice to have something else to do that is pure enjoyment. Succeeding in college is all about balance, you will learn to balance school, work, extracurriculars, and you social life. Enjoy every minute of college because it flies by, then you're out into the real world!

Visit the university, ask the students around about the things that you are mainly looking for in a university, look online to see what the university is known/famous for (both academically and socially).

I would advise all prospective students to any university to visit their top choices in universities that they are applying to and make sure to not only take a campus tour and meet people from your area of study, but also to arrange a meeting with at least one current student to learn "insider" information about the school. This was the most valuable contributing factor towards my college decision.

To students: The most helpful thing in deciding on a school is to go visit. It is better if you know an older student who already goes there so you are able to submerge yourself into the life of the school. Also, make sure that your academic abilities are up to par with the schools expectations for its students. It is easy to get caught up in social activites and build up a hard work load your first year in college. Pick a school that feels right, if you visit you can usually tell if you would fit in by looking around at the students and their activities on campus. Every school has a niche for every student as long as you try your best to integrate into your surroundings. Good luck!

Just make sure that the school provides good enough fo an education and that you really want to be there. The most important thing is to enjoy being at the school you're at and have a good balance of fun and work.

Talk to other students that are accepted in your year - it really gives you a feel for what your campus atmosphere is going to be like. Also try to be involved in at least 3 clubs, you meet so many new friends through it.

Passion is the ultimate motivator, the reason behind a person's strength, will or resolve. Think of the athlete who endures incredible pain, only to cross the finish line with a sudden burst of energy in defiance of every odd leveled against him or her. That is passion. Orconsider the patient who withstands unimaginable agony, never abandoning the promise of recovery and, ultimately, redemption. That is passion. But, passion is not merely heroic dignity amidst suffering; it is something more elusive. Passion drives a person, not for the bestowal of awards or publicity, but for a reason as timeless as history itself; it is for the betterment of society and the fulfillment of individual ambition. As a junior at USC, my advice to incoming freshmen would be to find a university that breeds individuality. It is in these college campuses where you can truly follow your passions and forgo the criticism that society tends to place on anyone fighting the norm. I would encourage parents to put aside pride and their bias because ultimately college is the opportunity to grow the most. Any impediment inthis natural growth process interms of the student?s unhappiness could prove detrimental in their success.

Look for schools that have certain unique programs and every school has a certain environment and vibe to it so choose one that fits your personality

Apply to schools that you would like to attend. Make sure that the school has many majors so that you can change into a major if you don't like your first one. Money is always an important issue so the parents and students should consider the cost of the school. I don't think it's a good idea to attend a school that will require a student to take out at least $5000 in loans per year. Students can make the most out of their college experience by taking all opportunities that come. If you're curious about something like joining a Filipino group if you're not Filipino, just try it. Don't be afraid to stand out. Always try new things...if you like it, great and if you don't, find something else.