<p>I was accepted to USC and I love all the academic aspects. However, I'm really concerned about the school from a social perspective. I'm not a total nerd but by no means am I the typical USC type. I'm not rich, I'm completely east coast (in terms of personality and looks. Pale, New York-y clothes etc.), and don't like the party scene whatsoever.
I've heard some kind of scary things about fitting in at USC and I was wondering if anybody could speak from experience.</p>
<p>There are really all sorts of people at USC. It’s a big university which means lots of diversity of interests, from intellectuals to artsy types, to athletic types, to sun-bathers, to serious nerds to very light nerds to actors to musicians to church groups. Your ECs will draw you to exactly your type of friends, while you get to mingle and mix with all others. I’ve noticed that different majors attract different types of people, in general. What’s your major?</p>
<p>I’m an English major and was invited to apply for the honors program (I don’t know if that would narrow down my social circle at all…)</p>
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<p>Do you have any examples?</p>
<p>College is not high school. There are over 10,000 undergrads at USC. There are rich kids and poor. Nerds of all stripe and level. East Coast nerds, West Coast nerds, and nerds from all over the world. Your social circle will be what you make of it. It will be what organizations you join, what events you attend and the places you choose to volunteer. My freshman son has no problem finding and making friends. His biggest issue is managing his time to try and do all the interesting things that SC has to offer.</p>
<p>USC has something like 800+ student organizations. I had the same reservations since I’m not into the greek scene at all and I have a massive circle of friends here now. I’d say everyone here could assure you that you will meet people you get along with here. There are students from every state and more international students from different countries here than any other university in the country(world?) including NYU.</p>
<p>Son is a pale Minnesota Lutheran from a small town. He is responsible to pay for a fair piece of his college so while we are not poor, he certainly is when at school. USC is very diverse in almost all aspects. His first year he had a triple and lived with a Jewish kid from Philly and a gay African-American/Phillipino from Texas freshman year and he loves them both. </p>
<p>Currently lives in a house that has a couple of California kids whose parents have done well in the movie industry, a middle class girl from Boston, a costa rican kid, an asian kid, and one other “middle class white kid”. Great financial diversity I suspect but doesn’t seem to affect anything. None are in fraternities other than professional type fraternities and generally aren’t partiers and they love USC. </p>
<p>USC has the diversity to be what you want to make of it. There is a big greek scene, but son and his friends aren’t into it (although son isn’t above eating at a sorority if a friend invites him since he does have to watch his $ and the food is very good he says). He and friends are into the arts and music scene on campus and rarely attend sporting events including football games while others can’t imagine their college experience without those events. </p>
<p>I think USC is a bit like the blind men and the elephant. Depends on which part you are touching what you think it is. If you are able to find friends where you are now you will be able to find friends that are a good fit for you at USC too although there is a good chance they will be a brighter and more diverse set than your current set. Same is true about thematic option although it is a lot of work and writing. As an English major you may view that as a good thing :)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let your concern about fitting in play a big part in your decision.</p>