<p>I have heard USC is located in the middle of a not so safe part of LA.</p>
<p>How safe is if for students on campus?</p>
<p>If juniors and seniors do not have guaranteed housing on campus, do they need a car? Is it safe for them to walk or bike to campus?</p>
<p>Im from southern california about an hour from USC (everything in a LA is about an hour away)
USC is in downtown la which does have a rep for being a little skecthy
how true is that is debatable
downtown la isnt like most cities, it isnt very residential. though recently there has been a push in that direction, so it comes off as tough in some areas. most people leave at night and such. but USC is beautiful and the school does a really great job creating its own environment. and parinoed peopple really make it seem so much worse than it is. i love downtown la. it is a really unqiue vibe.
as far as saftey, its a big city. its the same as if you went to columbia or nyu or any other school in a urban area. Be smart and there shouldn't be a problem.
Finally, you really do need a car in la. You could probably bike to campus, but if you wanted to go anywhere else (and you will) then you have to have a car. LA is bulit for cars. public transportation is severly lacking.
I live right on the beach, everthing is really spread out. There really isnt another way to get anywhere without a car or a friend with a car.
Bottom line: SC is great. dont worry too much about safety. the community and school pride is incredible. If you go you probably will end up rushing a frat and loving it. The greek system is huge. Get a car if you can and enjoy southern california!</p>
<p>A lot of students (especially out of state ones) survive just fine without a car. Biking and walking throughout the campus and University Park area is very safe, and the neighborhood is heavily patrolled by USC security.</p>
<p>If you are living on campus and don't feel compelled to go somewhere everyday, then the parking, maintence and insurance of a car may not be worth it.</p>
<p>With so many other students from Southern California, it's very easy to find someone who does have a car and go places with them.</p>
<p>Here's some more info about safety-
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=348179&highlight=safe%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=348179&highlight=safe</a></p>
<p>it is sketchy, you'll see some hobos and sometimes you might get robbed. Sometimes your car will get broken into, because they attempted to drive away with your car although it was parked 'securely' in a school parking lot. Things happen its a big city and we are in the sketchiest part of the whole city. It's nothing great but nothing unbearable. Might get REALLY annoying sometimes but nothing unbearable. I personally dislike this neighborhood but I would still come here despite that fact if i had to choose again.</p>
<p>BTW the car story happened last week. I found out they attempted 'grand theft auto' because they moved my car and left my window open (and broke off my car handle nicceee)</p>
<p>USC is not in the sketchiest part of the city. Actually, far from it. If you ever been to Watts, or on the Eastside you would agree with me. Downtown/West Adams is relatively tame comparing. With that said, with a bit of precaution, direct experience with major crime during your time at SC should be pretty minimal.</p>
<p>Inside the campus is very safe 24/7. Outside of the fense is quiet dangerous after sunset and is not 100% safe even during the days, especially southern side. I presonally enjoy walking around the campus after sunset b/c it looks beautiful at night and is not crowded. Some couples use advantage of this.</p>
<p>I am a student at USC and I feel completely safe on the campus, any time of the day. You should have no reason to concern. :)</p>
<p>Well, you hear stories, and the crime alerts from DPS are pretty scary sometimes. But it isn't so bad for the average student. Inside campus is always safe, and most of the problems outside campus seem to be gang-related...there's very little interest in just hurting college students unless you're carrying your ipod in one hand and your cell phone in the other alone at midnight; that could turn into a very interesting learning experience.</p>
<p>It's a relatively safe environment; just don't be an idiot and walk outside the campus at night by yourself clutching your iPhone and other targets. </p>
<p>DPS does a very good job at security; they definitely make their presence known on campus (so many Ford Explorers driving around, LAPD bicycles, etc.). However, once in a while we do get an unpleasant DPS e-mail blast about an incident. Just be street smart.</p>
<p>I was on campus last Monday at about 5:00 PM (broad daylight). I wasn't on campus more than about 35 minutes, but that was more than enough time to get caught up in a shooting. As I walked back to my car from the bookstore, the area near the main campus entrance on Vermont had about a dozen cop cars that hadn't been there when I walked in. Police were everywhere - looking for evidence, measuring things, and taking statements from witnesses. The USC security people were washing the blood puddles off the pavement. The next day the Daily Trojan reported this:</p>
<p>Nothing like a little blood on the pavement to shatter any illusions I had about the safety of the area.</p>
<p>Yeah, except they didn't target students. Not to downplay the seriousness of the incident, but most serious incidents happen to non-students.</p>
<p>That makes me feel so much better. Just so long as the flying lead isn't intended for students then it's okay.</p>
<p>Yes the campus is 100 percent safe. (or it feels like it, good enough)</p>
<p>You have to realize that what happened last week was a very isolated incident. I have been at USC for <em>years</em> and this is the first time that I can remember something that serious happening next to campus.</p>
<p>On campus is very safe - it is one of the safest urban campuses in the country. I've never felt unsafe on campus, even late at night.</p>
<p>Off campus, some areas are a bit sketchy, but for the most part it is not so bad. USC security patrols a very large area outside of campus. Most crimes tend to involve petty theft and/or bicycles, which isn't that unusual on most urban college campuses.</p>
<p>so if i wanted to walk to/fro leavey library and parkside (my dorm) , even late like 10/11, it would be fairly safe alone?</p>
<p>Completely, positively safe.</p>
<p>Yes, it would definitely be safe to do that walk. I do similar ones all the time. On campus, you are safer than you would be at UCLA or Stanford.</p>
<p>yeah i walk around campus pretty late all the time too and I don't feel unsafe at all. Dont worry the campus is like a oasis in the desert.. or something.LOL</p>
<p>There are some basic "street smarts" things to keep in mind, like trying to walk in well-lit areas, being aware of your surroundings, programming the DPS number into your phone (and calling it if necessary), etc.</p>