<p>I'm not real sure I want to spend the next 3.5 years where I am right now, and I'm thinking about transferring, with USC as a prospect (I know a lot of freshman go through this, so I'm not taking it toooo seriously right now, I just want to do some research on other schools in case I'm still feeling the same way at the end of the year)
Okay, so:</p>
<p>1) How is the 'community' at USC. Do you just feel like a face in the crowd at USC? This is important for me, cause I feel like 'community' should be a significant part of the college experience.
2) Would it be hard for a transfer student to acclimate socially? Are people at USC real friendly, welcoming, or is it real cliquish?
3) What is the social life like? What do students do on weekends? Does the social life confine itself mostly on campus, or do most people leave campus to have fun?
4) Do the professors make themselves available? Do classes feel really impersonal, or is it easy to get to know your professors?
5) Would someone with conservative views feel really out of place/ not welcomed at usc?
6) How are the advisors at USC? Do they really help out a lot, or is USC too big for advisors to really be of any significance?
7) How successful are premeds in gaining admittance to med school? </p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions, but if anyone could give a shot at answering any of em, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks</p>
<ol>
<li><p>We're a large school, but in my experience, most everyone is friendly and welcoming (students and teachers alike). You'll especially feel this during athletics events like football games, there's nothing quite like sitting in the student section during a football game.</p></li>
<li><p>Not at all, you'll meet people through classes, clubs, roommates etc. Greeks sometimes have a reputation for being cliquey but the vast majority of people in fraternities/sororities that I know are very friendly.</p></li>
<li><p>It is what you make of it. You can go to Westwood, downtown LA, wherever if you have a car. (I think you're Korean... K-town is only a few minutes away from USC :)) There are plenty of parties both on and off the row, usually on Thursday nights. Campus can be a little empty on the weekends but it's packed on game days.</p></li>
<li><p>Each professor is different, and it also depends on class size. All professors have office hours, so if you make an effort to see them you should be able to easily.</p></li>
<li><p>No, not at all. USC has a decently sized conservative population. USC had Ann Coulter speak at Annenberg a few weeks back.</p></li>
<li><p>Advisors are busy but if you have a question about majors or careers, they can help. I found that it was easier for me to seek out experienced professors as well, since they sometimes know just as much as the advisors.</p></li>
<li><p>There isn't any published data, I don't think, but maybe someone else knows better than I do :)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck, and if you have any other questions, let me know!</p>
Yowza! But I guess this is good, better than when I asked at BC what the biggest recent controversy is and was told that it was the visit of Condoleezza Rice.</p>
<p>Taking a stab at a couple of these questions: My daughter has found it very easy to get to know most professors, even those who teach big G.E. classes. If you make it a point to answer questions, hang around to chat after class, join a Learning Community, visit during office hours, etc., you will have ample opportunity to get to know professors. </p>
<p>A couple people have told me USC is the most conservative large school in California. Basically I think that translates to conservatives being as accepted on campus as liberals, whereas at some UC schools, in particular, conservatives can have a tough time. My conservative daughter feels comfortable at USC and that she's exposed to multiple points of view in the classrooms.</p>
<p>As for social life and weekends, as stated above, it is what you make it. There are many different activities and many different "sides" to USC. My daughter has found that while USC is known to some extent for its Greek life, etc., it's also an extremely faith-friendly campus with groups for all religious faiths/denominations, on-campus services, etc. So you can find friends via clubs, dorms, Greek life, religious groups, whatever interests you.</p>
<p>My daughter has had an advisor who's been very accessible and helpful. Even though she's declared a major and has advising from her major/minor departments now, when she had an important question about registration recently she sent off an email to the advisor she's had a relationship with and rec'd a prompt reply.</p>
<p>I myself was a transfer and I assimilated quite well over time. I think the key is to make friends early and in somewhat large numbers. It was definitely a great feeling to go from not knowing anyone to having at least 5-6 friends in each class I was taking, and even more outside of my classes. Basically, just open up with people and they'll usually be receptive.</p>
<p>USC is incredibly diverse, which is great because you encounter a variety of different viewpoints in life that you normally wouldn't get within your own confines. In terms of the whole conservative issue, USC is probably one of the more liberal private universities in the country, but that doesn't mean conservatives don't have a voice because they certainly do. It is pretty evenly split down the middle in terms of conservatives and liberals so you get a good mix of both.</p>
<p>There are also several religious organizations, with a few of the big ones centered around the Christian faith (be it Catholics or Protestants).</p>
<p>There is also a Republican club on campus, if you're into politics. I didn't like it that much since the discussions there were more inclined towards welfare policies and simple social issues affecting the country instead of more broad economic issues, which is what I'm interested in.</p>
<p>Greek life is also a great way to get involved in the community, but it isn't for everyone so check it out first and see if you're interested in it.</p>