<p>Just wondering...campus looks beautiful, but I heard it was difficult/not common for the majority of upperclassmen to live on campus. If this is true, do they all live nearby in their own apartments or what? And is it because there isn't space for them, or something else...yeah, just curious.</p>
<p>yes, that is true to an extent, mainly because freshman are given priority housing, and also because housing at SC is so limited. I personally live off campus and am a junior. I didnt get the housing that I wanted, and an off campus apartment was both more convenient (get a bike, SC is not a commuter campus, its a bycicle campus) and cheaper. Most students live very close to campus, so its more of a residential campus than a commuter campus, and I think you'd miss out on a lot as a commuter, mainly because </p>
<p>a) parking is not a pleasant experience, although if you get an on-campus parking lot permit, life will be 90% easier than an off-campus parking lot permit
b) LA traffic is horrible, getting in and out of the area around USC (110 and 10 freeways) is also not a pleasant experience</p>
<p>hope this helps</p>
<p>That did really help, thanks :). I was worried that a lot of people lived at home and commuted, but I'm glad it doesn't seem like that all. One more question if you don't mind; is housing in the area affordable/comparable to dorm rates?</p>
<p>it is. if you want the whole college experience and wish to meet kids left and right in a dorm room setting, i'd definitely suggest you apply to housing ASAP. Choose the one you want, some residential buildings are very nice and I'd personally love to live in them (Parkside, New Residential College, etc) if I would actually get the contract. New admits usually always get a housing contract, albeit it might not be the one they want. As for off-campus apartments, there are some really nice apartments the area, you just have to look for them. Near Adams Street there are some nice apartments you can share with a friend, with comparable prices (e.g. 1 bedroom for $900-1000, which would be about $450-500 for each person). </p>
<p>Ask more if you have more!</p>
<p>do you think we should send our housing conrtracts even if we havent been admited yet? to guarantee a good dorm?</p>
<p>it says online you gotta be admitted first :-(</p>
<p>thats true, as soon as you've been admitted, if you're a freshman applicant, you will be given a housing application packet highlighting all the residential options. But apply as soon as you get in! Good luck.</p>
<p>Any more questions about USC and I'll be happy to answer.</p>
<p>prosmat3c,
since you so kindly offered...
any idea when in march the acceptances end and the letters become just the rejections? i need to know when to plan my funeral ;-)</p>
<p>"btw, one of my co-workers applied to Thornton and he hasn't heard yet."</p>
<p>that helps. thanks!</p>
<p>Im just worried because they sent my app to the wrong dept. the first time around, so hopefully they re-sent it to thornton. :)</p>
<p>as for dorms. I posted a thread a while ago. I know I want a social dorm, so I was thinking either new or north. on the usc website, I was reading about the two and north seems to have a better atmosphere. What do you all think?</p>
<p>I printed the housing thing offline and have it in an envolope, so when/if I get accepted, itll go right in the mail! :)</p>
<p>NAgony, no need to agonize! I wouldnt really know much about the freshmen applications, I was a transfer myself last year, and didnt receive my acceptance packet until late June, after I had heard that I would be rejected because it was taking so long. I dont think there is a cut off date, I seriously think USC takes its time and considers every applicant who is well qualified, and isnt a lottery system like "the other school". You shouldnt lose hope if you dont receive a notification in this month, I've heard some freshmen hearing in April and as late as May. </p>
<p>as for the New/North dorm question, according to my observations, on a thursday night, North is bustling, while New isnt. Also, Brinkrant is another very good residential building. Never lived there but I've heard good things. Good luck..</p>
<p>ok, thanks, ill put brinkrant down as an option too. thanks!</p>
<p>USC said all RD applicants would be notified by April 1st.... so is this not the case then?</p>
<p>I guess I might be wrong, I would think then that you would know by the end of this month, but like I've said, I have heard of some decisions taking longer than the April 1st date. Most schools sometimes delay their decisions anyways, but if it takes "a while" to get your decision, don't become pessimistic.</p>
<p>another question,</p>
<p>bikes? should we have one as freshmen? If I brought a bike to USC my 1st year, would I be the only one? And where do you lock them? I've heard of stolen bikes...</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>EDIT: One more question, what meal plan do you suggest?</p>
<p>A ton of freshmen have bikes. Stolen bikes are common. There are bike racks, but a lot of times, people just park their bikes and lock the back wheels with a U lock because the racks are full.</p>
<p>I personally enjoy the Trojan meal plan because I don't have to eat 10 meals out of the week at EVK or Parkside. And I can treat people to Upstairs Cafe. This will all become clear in the future.</p>