University of Southern California Reviews

It’s all about TAs. Large lecture...

It’s all about TAs. Large lecture classes break into small classes for discussion led by TAs. They can make or break a class, or a grade for that matter.

I had a teacher for American...

I had a teacher for American history who was so awesome that people would actually come to class and participate even though they weren’t signed up.

My writing teacher is editing my...

My writing teacher is editing my first book.

There is an escort service that...

There is an escort service that you can use if you need someone to walk with you back to the dorms from a late class or from anywhere on campus. We also have this thing called Campus Cruiser that can give you a ride after 5 p.m. to anywhere within two miles of campus. I do suggest traveling with at least one other person at night.

I won’t lie to you, USC is in...

I won’t lie to you, USC is in South Central LA, but our security force is really good; they are all LAPD-trained and have the same authority. Most of them carry guns, but I have never seen them used or anything. They are basically exactly the same as police officers.

The area directly around USC is...

The area directly around USC is pretty safe because it’s all student housing, but if you go a little too far in the wrong direction, it can get a little scary. That just comes with living in a city. There are certain places you learn not to go near, and everywhere else is fine.

Personally, I have never had a...

Personally, I have never had a problem. I have walked back from the Row many times between two and four in the morning by myself and never felt uncomfortable. The nice thing about the area is that there is always LAPD around everywhere, so I have always felt safe.

On campus, I never worried about...

On campus, I never worried about strange neighborhood people coming to my door or anything, but once I moved off-campus, that changed a little. I moved into a house that is three or four blocks from campus. We have had quite a few things stolen from our yard. We also have people come and solicit a lot, which can be scary if you are home alone. You won’t get this if you live in campus housing or the off-campus, USC-owned apartments.

This is South Central. Things...

This is South Central. Things happen. Don’t leave your door unlocked, but you don’t have to be looking over your shoulder, either.

Campus food is just fine. We have...

Campus food is just fine. We have many choices such as Wolfgang Puck, as well as a salad bar, buffet-style line, and pre-made salads, sandwiches, and sushi.

We have swimming pools, tennis...

We have swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a huge gym with everything that a gym you would pay for would have. It is three stories tall! The libraries are amazing. There are also quiet places on campus to read and talk with friends, like fountains and small parks. You forget that you’re in the ghetto! There’s a TV station on campus and two or three newspapers all run by students. Different groups have festivals, concerts in the middle of campus, dance competitions, and carnivals—all near one of the libraries on a huge grass field.

Freshman dorms are good. I lived...

Freshman dorms are good. I lived in on-campus apartments, Parkside to be precise. Parkside now has a brand new international student dorm, and it’s beautiful! If you can get in, I’d say go there. Also New/North residential colleges are both newer and spacious. They’re where you’ll meet lots of people. I don’t think any of the dorms are too bad.

Many people think that USC is in a...

Many people think that USC is in a really bad, unsafe neighborhood, but I have to disagree. The community surrounding USC is very connected to the school.

USC loves to boast about the...

USC loves to boast about the campus security; there are tons of blue-light posts set up around campus for you to use in case of an emergency. The average response time for a DPS officer (not a rent-a-cop) is supposed to be less than 20 seconds. Unfortunately, the area surrounding the campus isn’t all that great, but no one that I know personally has been robbed or attacked in any way.

Stay within a two-mile radius from...

Stay within a two-mile radius from campus, and you’re very safe.

Because of the neighborhood that...

Because of the neighborhood that USC is located in, security is definitely stepped up. I feel comfortable on campus, as well as off campus. Just be street smart; don’t walk alone at night.

Supposedly, no matter where you...

Supposedly, no matter where you are on campus, you should be able to see a blue-light phone. At this blue-light is a little button that you press and campus security will be there within one minute. Our campus security is called DPS; you see their vehicles everywhere.

The area north of campus—where all...

The area north of campus—where all off-campus apartments and Greek houses are—is very safe. We have full-time campus police that patrol this area. If you don’t mind the occasional homeless person, you’ll be fine here. They don’t usually bother you.

Security is excellent. I always...

Security is excellent. I always feel safe near and around campus. You learn what streets to avoid at night and the DPS is there for students; some even learn your name if you let them.

Dorm life is great. I lived in the...

Dorm life is great. I lived in the Parkside International Residential College; it is a suite-type dorm. I highly recommend living either there or in the ever-popular New/North. New/North is very social and the rooms are fairly big. Try to avoid Century and Webb; they’re the old, old apartment style. Birnkrant, Pardee, and Marks have very small rooms.

New/North are great dorms; they’re...

New/North are great dorms; they’re very social. I recommend dorms over apartment or suite-style units. If you can’t get dorm-style, suite is the next best. Don’t live in the off-campus apartment; you’ll feel segregated. Marks and Pardee Tower also has good dorms, although they’re not as much fun as New/North. Honors dorms are not nicer than regular dorms.

USC is very well-rounded and...

USC is very well-rounded and diverse. There are definitely some very good-looking students on the campus. You see and meet people from all around the world.

Just think California.

I will say that the guys at USC...

I will say that the guys at USC are mostly hot, especially the frat guys. Guys at USC are pretty arrogant, though. Just warning you. The girls are all pretty hot, too. It’s common knowledge that a girl from USC will be in demand at any other campus in the nation but could have a hard time finding a guy at USC. It’s mostly because everybody’s cute and smart. There’s a lot of eye candy here.

It’s Southern California; it...

It’s Southern California; it doesn’t get any better.