University of Southern California Top Questions

Visit and go to the one where you feel the most at home.

Find the college that makes you excited about your future and what you desire to accomplish. Find the college where you will be challenged by the activities you're involved with and the relationships you make.

As you look at schools across the world, you may be overwhelmed by your options and the complexity of the application process. You need to realize that this is to your advantage. The single most important thing I did when looking at colleges was to visit them when there were students on campus. You're basically going to get a good education anywhere, so you need to know whether the school you're considering is a place that you want to be for the next two or four years. Once you're in college, there are a ton of options as far as extracurricular activities and social life goes. It is important to strike a good balance between your academic life and social life, which can be tough with all of your new friends and college classes. You should try to get your work done during the day when you're not in class, so you can hangj out with your friends at night and explore the area surrounding your campus. Being on the other side of this whole process, I look back on my choices and am pleased with where I ended up, and you can too.

Make sure that you don't choose the college just for it's prestige. Know that it not only would help you to become an expert in the field you want to enter, but that you also will fit in and enjoy the type of environment that the campus offers you.

Choose the college that best fits your personality and one with good alumni relations and job placement.

Parents as well as students should be involved in the application process. Be realistic about your limitations. Don't choose a school based on rankings, chose a school where you feel at home and will learn the best.

To parents: Let your child make their own choice. If you are worried about safety in regards to their choice, chances are so is every other parent. The University will accommodate every concern. If it's the money, the distance, the variety of majors, etc., that you are worried about, it doesn't matter. You are not your child. They will be making the decision, living there and their happiness is the only one that matters in regards to this choice. That being said, to students: You'll know the right school when you walk on the campus. Make sure to visit every campus that you have received a scholarship to or are interested in - you never know what can happen. It's a big decision, to be sure, but it's also not a big deal to transfer if you are unhappy. Don't stay somewhere because of a scholarship/financial aid package if you are uncomfortable. Lastly, GET INVOLVED! No one will be forcing you, which means it's up to you. Find your passion and seek out others who challenge you. Going Greek is great, but make sure to branch out. Have fun - it's your life!

Finding a balance between the different defining factors for your college selection is crucial. Do not merely focus just on the cost, no matter what your budget. There are resources that can help you meet your financial needs, and there is more to the decision than money. Location, diversity, exclusivity, notoriety and recognition are also valid factors. Finding a school that you feel comfortable at is the key. After three or four years, minor financial differences will be small compared to a prior sacrifice of location or quality. A school that can be your home, that you feel you fit into, a location you enjoy, with surroundings you feel safe in, that you can be proud of, is the school you should attend, money being one of the least important factors. This is obviously easier said than done, but if you can at least find a balance between these factors that you are happy with, and your child is happy with more importantly, you will be fine.

I think it's very important to not get too distracted by all the polls and ratings that feature the "Top Ten Colleges", etc. Apply to universities that you really like and want to attend. The college at the bottom of your list could be on the top of another person's so don't apply somewhere even though you don't really want to attend that particular college--you could be taking a spot away from someone who really wants it (and it's one less application to worry about!). I have heard from so many people how much they hate their school even if it is very prestigious and offers the best program for their major. How much you like your school makes all the difference in your college experience. College isn't all about classes; the environment that surrounds you will affect you greatly so I would advise looking at universities that have an atmosphere/surrounding that is comfortable or appealing to you.

To parents, I tell them to listen to thier child. Guide thier interests towards a school of well recognized academically challenging school, but make sure the school also has a plethora of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. A school run by fraternaties and sororities is no fun for anyone not part of the greek system. One of the things that sold me to USC was its abundance of political, environmental, music, theater, and sports clubs. Anyone from any background can find a club geared towards thier interests, including foreign student organizations. Any school that boasts a strong extracurricular mandate creates a more involved and happy student population. Still, academics are the most important aspect in making the right choice. USC was perfect because it fit both categories: challenging academic curriculem and hundreds of extracurricular organizations. To the student, I tell them to wait to find the college that feels right. You will know when you find that right school; there is a special feeling of excitemtent, curiosity, and anxiousness to become a part of the school. Create a list of possible schools, try to visit them all, and take organized tours. You will know when you find the right one.