University of Southern California
Reviews

A Ton of OPTIONS

By choosing to go to a big university like USC, you will realize the benefits of a decently large private university with lots of $$ and a very active alumni network. Not only will you have huge donations come in every year which means you can expand programs, update research facilities, and get the best professors, but you will also have the opportunity of lowering your tuition costs and really getting the most out of the money you are paying for. I personally love USC because of the study abroad options and the wide variety in the possible study areas (being as i was an undecided major and am now pre-med with a unique major that I LOVE <--check out Health & Humanity if interested)

Go Greek!

Greek life at USC is awesome! It has opened so many doors for me and I honestly could not imagine not going greek. There are fraternities/sororities for people with all kinds of interests, and they are a great way to establish a great group of college friends. Obviously greek life is not for everyone, but in my opinion USC's greek scene is one of the best in the country.

Food Is Expensive

I had a meal plan my first year of college but it was too expensive so I decided to just eat super market food for my sophomore year. On days that I did not have time to go shopping for food and ran out I was forced to buy food on campus. It is extremely expensive. Things like Baja Fresh and Panda Express offered regular meals that would amount to $10. Food on campus is good but not THAT good.

Subconscious Segregation Commonplace

Although for obvious cultural reasons, people of certain heritages tend to hang out amongst themselves (whites and minorities alike) it seems there is little effort being made into integrating the University's different ethnic groups. Race is hardly brought up and is a subject that seems almost taboo. USC publicly takes a lot of pride in its diversity but hardly acknowledges the reality of race divisions within the student body.

The university is also very segregated when it comes to sexual orientation. Do in part to the hetero-normative framework that fraternities and sororities (something really big at USC) exist in, it is sometimes easy to forget that not everyone on campus is straight. When I took a gender and sociology class I realized that there are many bi, queer, gay, gender queer and transgendered students. This was when I first realized even the classes are unintentionally segregated based on sexual orientation.

I would like for USC to acknowledge these disparities and move towards creating a real campus of diversity. The first step of course must be to admit a problem exists.

USC Parking

Car is necessary living in California especially, Los Angeles. Parking around campus isn't too bad if you know where to go. The lots always seem to be empty if you're willing to pay for on-campus parking. Haven't had a ticket yet but definitely make sure to move your car on street cleaning days.

The Row

The best place to party here at the University of Southern California is the Greek Row without a doubt. The Row is packed with fraternities that have open parties to all girls, and most guys if you are able to get on the list. There are day parties on the weekend, and you are always guaranteed a good time if you go on a Thursday. However, the nightlife in terms of bars and clubs in somewhat non existent, with only one bar close to campus. There are some in downtown LA, but not the college kid scene. You have to go to Hollywood if you're looking for a younger crowd at the clubs!

Cars on Campus

The problem with parking is not the number of parking spaces. We have plenty of parking structures and lots, it is just very costly to get a permit, and they are hard to come by, since there are only a limited number given out each semester. You also will most definitely get a ticket if you park with out a permit or day pass. And if you leave your car overnight and you only have a day pass, they WILL ticket you if you don't move it by 7am. And forget parking on campus during game days in the fall. Unless you have a permit and leave your car in the parking structure the night before a game, it will be next to impossible to find a parking spot the day of a football game.

Present but Not Overbearing

Greek life very much a part of campus life at USC. Frat parties are the go-to place for weekend fun and are open to anyone. It is rare to enter a classroom with no one wearing their fraternity/sorority apparel - pride and solidarity are important to the Greeks on campus.

Greek Life Is a Big Part of Our School

It is by no means necessary to join a fraternity or sorority to have an awesome college experience. That being said, Greek life is a huge part of USC. While there are parties elsewhere off campus, the majority of the parties are on Greek Row. It is really easy for ladies to go to parties if they aren't in sororities. However it is rather difficult for guys to go to them if they aren't in fraternities. Guys could always sneak in (which is really hard sometimes) or get on the list if they know someone in the frat, but other than that they can't really get in. All of our greek housing is pretty nice. I mean, frat houses will be frat houses, and they can get really dirty, but most of them aren't too bad. The sorority houses are all really nice and pretty.

Computers Can Be Hard to Come by

Most of the computers on campus are usually in use after 7. There are always places on campus like the career center with open computers, but they usually close around 8, so if you need a computer late at night, it might be difficult since only 1 library stays open 24/7. Mostly everyone has their own laptops though, and the wifi is really good, so you don't have to worry about that. There are printing services on campus, both in the libraries and in the bookstore, but they do cost money, however I think it ends up being less than having to buy a printer and constantly replace paper and ink.

The Row

as a member of a sorority, greek row is the place to go. with about 20 frats, every thurs. fri, and sat there is at least 4 frat parties going, which include free and unlimited drinking, dancing, and drunk frat guys. its easy to get to and the campus cruiser system/ shuttles will get you there eventually

there are also lots of theater/student org/sports team parties on the weekends

there is one bar right near campus, nicknamed the "9-0" which everyone goes to once theyre tired of the row. theres also the bars of downtown LA just down the road

Its Not Really in Watts..

despite rumors that USC is an extremely unsafe area, the university does a lot to make it safe. there are security officers located at high traffic areas all day/night, the DPS/campus cruiser car system is always there to help you (even if the official shuttle service is over for the night, public security will always drive you home)

sure, if you are alone late at night in a deserted area with your headphones in, you may run in to trouble. but if you're smart. you'll be okay

bike thefts are a big problem here, as are occasional accidents with locals (ie mugging). but campus security does their best to keep these problems at bay

Theatre at SC

Most students want to go BFA but if you want to do other things go BA. More freedom.

Campus Strictness

Our dean is cracking down on partying more than past USC deans did. If you get caught throwing up on The Row (where all of USC's sororities and fraternities are) then it is very possible you will be written up and taken to the hospital.

Safety at USC

While USC may not be in the best part of town, the school's security is top notch. There are DPS agents that work around the clock to keep USC safe. Generally, if anyone its get robbed etc. It is more because of a lack of common sense than a lack in security.

Lots of Class Offerings

One of the things I love about what I'm studying (Theater and Screenwriting) is the abundance of classes offered on those subjects.

Off-Campus Dining Options

There are numerous dining outside USC, especially on Figueroa Avenue. Figueroa has an excellent variety of fast food restaurants, along with a solid choice of sit-down restaurants. My personal favorites are Freebirds Burrito (student favorite), La Taquiza (pricey but good), and Chick-Fil A.

Financial Aid

USC is really great at giving students with high financial need a great financial aid package. I definitely know that if i were to go to any other school, i would be paying a lot more. It is definitely need based and they offer scholarships!

Diversity

USC is really diverse, you will see so many international students. You will never find this place to be anything but diverse. It's definitely not an issue here which is great

Campus Safety

Campus safety at USC is really improving. I feel totally safe in the area especially since they have security guards everywhere and people willing to drive you home if you don't feel safe walking home from campus late at night. they also have campus cruiser that you can call all the way until 3am to drive you to and from places.

Energetic and diverse

Generally, the students at USC are very energetic and diverse. There are a lot of people who are into working out and going to beaches, so they look healthy and fit. There are also people who are more into academics, music, and films (duh..) USC has a great theatre program, in which people are generally good-looking and friendly, but they don't party as much as the Greek people do. However, usage campus seems a bit segregated because of the big Greek system and lots of international students, but you can always meet attractive people with different interests from different countries if you want to.

Student Center Domination

The Ronald Tutor Campus Center is breathtaking and a hub for all kind of student activity. Between 11am and 3pm, its the "it" lunch spot for kids on campus and has an impressive array of food including Lemonade, Seeds, CPK, Panda, etc. Its open-air with lots of tables and umbrellas and almost always in perfect sunshine.

Intellect Plus Social Scene

This school is full of very smart and dedicated students who like to study and party hard. There are a lot of nerds as well though. Overall, it's amazing how well-rounded USC is, I only have great things to say.

Good Overall

Campus center is beautiful and has Coffee Bean, CPK, Panda Express, Carls Jr, Wahoo's, Seed's Marketplace and Lemonade. Leavey is a clean huge library open 24/7, Doheney is beautiful but only open until 10pm. Always different things going on around campus. The campus as a whole is always immaculately maintained and landscaped, there's a reason why films and commercials are filmed here regularly. Lyon Center is an alright gym, not the best.

Almost Only Freshman Live on Campus

Best dorm is New/North is you are social and want to have fun. Pardee and Birnkrant are a good mix of study and fun. Marks and Trojan Hall suck. Fluor is out of the way and annoying.