University of Southern California
Reviews

Typical Admission Process

I just had to fill out the applications for both USC in general and the Thornton school of music. Both were pretty painless and asked for what most schools ask for. I did not have to play an instrument or audition to get into the Music Industry program for the Bachelor of Science, but you do have to if you want to get a Bachelor of Music degree. The music industry program at SC is pretty exclusive. I know several people who put it down as their first choice and ended up getting their second choice or getting accepted as an undecided major. However, I didn't have any previous music industry experience. I mostly got in on good high school grades and good essays.

Housing

Upperclassmen get reasonable and comfortable housing. Trojan Hall is the worst dormitory, try not to request that one. The housing application process is well explained and easy. The best housing options are the apartments: Troy Hall, Troy East, and Webb Tower.

The Parties Are Centered Around the Row

The row is great Thursdays and Saturdays, and the parties are great if you're greek. There is one club that is a lot of fun called the 9-0.

Lots of Activity

There are tons of things to do in L.A. – from going to the shopping districts to leisurely walking around museums. The food is as diverse as the population, a testimony to the strong immigrant community in L.A. While it has the same types of crimes as any majorly populated area, there's a general sense that if you reach out people will at least be willing to point you in the right direction.

Activities

USC constantly has events and activities for students, whether it's through its arts program called Visions and Voices, or during Welcome Week freshman year. Visions and Voices is a fabulous program that has well-known and successful entertainers, writers, directors, etc. that come to campus and talk to students. USC also screens many movies for its film students. There is always something for you to do on campus!

Greeks

There is no need for people to join any fraternity or sorority to enjoy the social scene. They are indeed a large part of the university but aren't all of it. You can still get into the parties they throw which are very fun and sociable.

Diversity

The university is absolutely diverse. There are people from all places thus making USC one of the largest and best melting pots of the world. Here everyone gets along and the atmosphere is great.

Amazing

Greek life here defines the experience at USC in many ways. However, there are a lot of stereotypical "fratty" guys which can be a detraction. Several dozen fraternities and sororities have chapters at USC.

Beautiful

great, clean and constantly modernized and sedulously maintained. Lots of construction going on and it's exciting to see USC growing at such a fast pace.

Couldn't Be Happier

I just transferred this fall and already I've been bitten by the trojan bug. I absolutely love this school, I have found all the professors to be very approachable and class sizes small; so it's very easy to get to know them and thus, secure letters of rec for graduate school. I turned down Berkeley and LA to come here, and I'm so glad I did because with the state budget cuts, attending those schools has turned into a nightmare. Ironically enough, while the UCs get butchered and devaluated, USC is rising at astronomical rates, they have a great surplus of money and don't hesitate to spend it on the students. This year I took an FYI course and my class consisted of myself and 4 other people, we got to know each other and the professor, of course, really well, and it was a great segway into the school. We even went to watch a movie and had many classes at the many cafes on campus (all on usc of course). University of Spoiled Children is right, but in a VERY good way since it refers to our academics. USC strives to provide their students with the most high caliber education they can afford, and I am all for being spoiled in that way (and the free socks they handed out as soon as fall begun lol god forbid we go without socks in these bitter LA winters) :)

Cars: You Don't Need Them

Everything you could possibly need is within 5 blocks of campus at USC. If you bring a car to school, you'll be really popular, because almost no one has one here. You'll use it now and then to go to the beach or to Hollywood, but the majority of the time your car will sit parked in the very expensive University lots. The school also has a free car service and there are buses and trains going everywhere around Los Angeles. A car is an unnecessary commodity.

Beefing up the Security

I live on the west side of campus where security roams sparsely. Last month, we had a shooting which ended up in two USC students shot. Moreover, the DPS (USC designated security) arrived much later which let the offenders escape. To USC's credit, they did invest a few million to beef up the security on the west-side, but it definitely isn't enough. They need to make sure the money is being used more efficiently and that they spread out the human resources so that the west-side receives more attention from DPS officers.

Repetitive

With in a mile radius of USC, you have all the major players in the fast food arena. There is McDonalds, Carls Jr., Chipotle, Free Birds, Burger King etc. However, where are the alternative healthy options? I don't mean the Subways or Quiznos, but I'm referring to the hole-in-the wall joints which serve delicious, wholesome, healthy meals. Moreover, nothing is cheap around USC. If you want to achieve buying a healthy meal for a mere five dollars, you're going to have to go further than the mile radius which automatically demands that you have a bike or a car. Thus, I wish USC had healthier, cheaper, more convenient answers to the mega house of fast food chains. Am I really asking for too much?

Alcohol! Alcohol! Alcohol!

I often hear stories of girls who are drugged at frat parties and it seems like a common occurence at certain fraternity houses. When fraternities throw parties, most often the alcohol will be very cheap and limited. The police regulate parties on an alright level. Sometimes parties that get really crazy will be shut down by the police, but they very rarely do. There's campus security on our fraternity row (where a lot of the parties are) that ensures our safety, but does not regulate alcohol or drug safety at all. It's very easy to get alcohol at USC and I've heard that it's very easy to get marijiuana also. I don't know about other drugs though. When students do get caught on campus though, they are severely punished.

Social Work

The School of Social work is only for graduate students. It is rather small and for the most part everyone's classes are in the same building and are program is very standardized so all first-years will have the same classes, same syllabus, etc. This makes it nice so that even if your friend isn't in your class you can still discuss your assignments. The workload is not too strenuous, about one paper 3-8 pages per week. We have a cool student lounge specifically for social work with computers, comfy chairs, tables, vending machine and a microwave, which is pretty cool. Regrettably, we do not have a library specific for us, but the Leavey Library is open 24/7. The school sets you up with an internship within your first month and this will be half of your schooling. Regrettably I am not that impressed with the professors. They do not seem to be the brightest.

Expensive and Crowded

Eating on campus during lunch time is a zoo. Too many people and long lines. There is practically no cheap food in walking distance except for the one fast food restaurant across the street.

Being an Engineer Anywhere Isn't Easy

I didn't have a special process, but USC's Viterbi School of Engineering is impacted in itself, so I needed to show through my application that I was a dedicated student. The most difficult part of the process is trying to receive merit grants or merit scholarships because you're competing against some of the brightest minds at USC.

Football Rocks

USC is known for its variety of sports, with football coming in as the top attendance one. Sitting in the front rows of the coliseum and being surrounded by fellow trojans makes the USC experience. Sports range here for everyone (including those who want to do intramural), and most people become involved with this scene whether it is through participation or watching.

DPS

everyone hears about how bad USC's location is because of it's proximity to bad parts of downtown LA, but the campus patrol makes students here as safe as students at any urban university. never had a safety problem!

--except students steal bicycles alot

If You're a Nerd, Do TO

Those who want to be academically challenged -- especially those considering some sort of graduate school -- should definitely apply to the Thematic Option. The program replaces regular general education classes with special ones for TO students only. These classes are smaller and have the best and most enthusiastic professors at USC. The program is tough, however, and students participating in it can expect to read and write about twice as much as those taking regular classes, but the high calibre of peers and professors more than makes up for this.

Housing

While there are many options for housing, it is very expensive. The area is not too great, but the apartments are close to campus. They always increase the prices when college students are nearby.

$$$$$$$

If you are living off campus, be prepared to shell out major dollars. A single room is going to be at least $800 north of campus, and $700 west of campus. Rooms tend to be small, and can vary widely in quality. Everything is close, but you have to search for a good rate and room.

Great Academics at USC

The professors and all the staff at USC are always excellent. The professors are willing to help, whether it be in or out of class. The registration process is always painless and quick. USC's online system rarely crashes and when it does, the Tech department usually fixes the problem within the hour. The workload at USC is difficult, but as is expected from this great school. Just remember, no pain- no gain!

So Much School Spirit at USC!

Varsity sports are a big deal at USC and game days are the most exciting days on campus, as it is covered in a sea of cardinal and gold. Also there are a lot of opportunities to play intramural sports.

All Over the Place

Anything you want you can find around the LA area.