Anyone Out There Going to USD for Sure?

<p>My s is going to USD in the fall. Does anyone have recommendations for male housing? We were only able to view their designated dorm on our tour. Thanks!!!</p>

<p>My son is a freshman and lives in Missions A. They are pretty spacious rooms, and the bathroom is shared with one other room on the floor - so 4 guys to a bathroom, and then there is an outer double sink area with storage.</p>

<p>He loves it. It can be a long walk up to campus, but the plus is, he never gained the "freshman 15"! He is actually moving into the apartments next year that are an even further walk, so it must not be that big of a deal. </p>

<p>Michelle</p>

<p>One more thing 1989 mom, when we did the tour of campus, they showed us what i thought was the smallest dorm known to man, and it housed 3 girls. I do think they should show the different dorm rooms on the in-person tour and the virtual tour isn't that exciting. If you just saw this tiny little room (which lots of kids are perfectly happy in, don't get me wrong!), you might think all of the housing is exactly like this. </p>

<p>When we visited Chapman this year with younger son, they actually showed all the dorms and actual students living in them, to illustrate the space. It made a huge difference in how to respond. Perhaps all colleges should offer a better glimpse at the housing options, to cut down on frustrations, later.</p>

<p>Michelle</p>

<p>Thank you Michelle! I think they are supposed to choose their dorms soon. We sent in our deposit early, so hopefully we will get first dibs on the dorm choice. When we visited, parking seemed like it would be a challenge. Does anyone else have any advice on dorms and parking? Thank you all!</p>

<p>I randomly stumbled across this page, but I am here to review some of these USD myths. </p>

<p>I am a senior at USD, been here all four years, and am also a girl. </p>

<p>Yes, USD has the image of skinny blondes with BMWs and expensive purses. But like someone said before "don't judge a book by its cover." Im originally from Chicago, my family is middle class and I'm blonde, and happy to say I maintain a healthy weight. </p>

<p>I was drawn in by USD's amazing campus, which we do have and I am thankful for everyday. After visiting friend's schools and the like, I still think we have the most beautiful campus in the country, YEAR ROUND. (Thanks maintenance!) It provides us a beautiful space to learn and develop our minds around our future bachelor's degrees. </p>

<p>And sure, there are the stuck up rich people. But those are the ones that STICK out the most. There are some of the most amazing, down-to-eart people i have met here, friends I wouldn't change for the world. They're all normal, brilliant kids and friends I hope to keep for life. Even the blondes with the purses, most of them can be pretty awesome girls when you get to know them. </p>

<p>Parents, I also beg you to look at the academic perspective. This is why your child is going to college! USD has small class sizes and the ability to have one on one time with the professors. I have had some amazing teachers here and never a class size above 40. I am a political science major and love it - we have amazing speakers come and events. USD will give your kid a decent education and many future employment and internship opportunities through Alumni relations and the Career department. We're a very well respected school in San Diego. </p>

<p>Now the dorms - I lived in Missions B. You only live in Maher and Missions A & B for ONE YEAR. I enjoyed missions b highly, I found the rooms large and enjoyable and the bathrooms are newly redone and cleaned everyday (which is why i chose B, because I didt want to clean my bathroom, haha) There are the Vistas and San Buenaventura (where I live currently) and are both either very recently redone with new everything and San Buena. is actually only two years old. You also must keep in mind we are a small school, so things tend to be on a smaller scale. And for all the lucky incoming freshman next year, We will have a BRAND NEW massive student center which I'm pretty bummed about not getting to use. </p>

<p>I hope this helps, I've enjoyed my time here. San Diego is a beautiful place and I've received an excellent education</p>

<p>I am definitely going to USD. I live in Las Vegas, Nv; however I'm from San Diego originally. The campus is amazing. I'm not Catholic, Republican, or rich, but I don't I've read just as many statements saying that the "blonde haired blue eyed" stereotype was an exaggeration.</p>

<p>I'm thinking about going but I'm just worried about the academic reputation. I heard it's pretty easy and not well respected. Does anybody have any thoughts?</p>

<p>I stumbled across this forum and started reading it out of curiosity. I don't usually write on forums like this but I felt compelled to address the topic of USD and it's stereotypes. I transferred to USD from a community college in northern ca. I had visited the campus and of course thought it was beautiful. I remember noticing how "perfect" a lot of girls looked. My mom noticed this as well and worried that it would be hard to fit in. I did not give it much thought. I, too, had a designer purse and sunglasses. I thought I basically had what everyone else had. It retrospect, it seems stupid that I actually thought that. But in the interest of full disclosure, that's what I remember thinking.</p>

<p>After I transferred to USD, I went thought prolonged period of culture shock. Southern CA was very different from Northern CA, but USD was even more different. Unfortunately, it seemed that the USD mentality went far beyond designer shades and clothes. What bothered me right off the bat was how privileged and sheltered the students were. During the first week I had lunch with a girl who, without shame states that she doesn't think "racism exists anymore." I was shocked. Fortunately, by senior year a lot of these sheltered kids seemed to have opened up to listening and thoughtfully considering others points of view. </p>

<p>Socially, my first semester at USD was hard. Luckily I had really wonderful roommates who became my some of my best friends. Over time, I learned not to be so quick to judge others who I deem as "perfect." Some of those people have become good friends of mine. IF nothing else, it makes it easier to bond with other "non perfects." </p>

<p>Overall, I am very satisfied with my major, classes and teachers. The small class size makes all the difference. My teachers knew me personally even though I am shy and reluctant to raise my hand in class. The academics were challenging - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I worked very hard to earn A's and B's. </p>

<p>One of the best things about going to a small school is the personal attention you receive. I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a career in health care administration. I knew that USD has a really good masters program in nursing. I spoke to the dean of the nursing program and told her I was interested in taking a non-clinical masters level course. She hooked me up with the prof of the class I wanted to take. The prof welcomed me and allowed me to take a masters level course with registered nurses earning their masters degree. It is the personal attention like this that make $40,000 a little more palpable. My interests were encouraged even though they deviated from the standard undergrad academic program. </p>

<p>In short - yes, the stereotype is based on truth. But that does not mean you can't conquer it. The academics are very good. Overall, I am satisfied with my experience and education I received at USD.</p>

<p>Hey,
thanks for the posts inspired and politico :)
I guess you can sum up my worries in what vatikcat said. not to sound pompous or anything, but i'm a pretty intellectual guy, work pretty hard in school and definitely one of the top things i'm looking for in a college is the rigor and depth of classes. I'm hoping for some reassurance that USD will be intellectually fulfilling for me. Does anyone know anything about philosophy @ USD?? That's what i'm planning on majoring in. I know USD has a law school, and law and philosophy are somewhat tied.
haha I hadn't received an admission decision yet, but they did send me a financial aid package which had a scholarship, so that tells me that I'm in I guess. So I'm planning on visiting in early April. Any tips of things to do/people to see when I visit? I've lived in San Diego but haven't actually been to USD yet</p>