<p>I am really considering applying to USC after a recent suggestion. However I am not sure how well I will fit in seeing as I am from the East coast. Also, I am interested in neuroscience, pre med, and joining a fraternity. How well do pre meds fare at USC? I know their is a big stereotype of USC rich kids which I am fine with but are they at least nice? Lastly, I have pretty strong opinions about political issues and I heard USC kids just don't care about them. Could someone please discuss these issues and questions? Thank you</p>
<p>Obviously, not all USC kids are rich (is every Ivy League kid rich)? And at any school some rich kids are nice and some are not. California can be pretty political obviously and on any campus there are many people into politics and many that are not. Per your post it seems you are asking if everyone at USC is a mean rich kid that doesn’t get into politics, which seems like a silly supposition. Buying into stereotypes or using them as a measure is not a good approach to look at any school, it’s a bit outdated, at least in California. 
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<p>There are several very active political clubs/organizations at USC. And I can assure you, not every kid is rich.</p>
<p>I suggest checking out the neuroscience website in Dornsife. Two of the most brilliant neuroscientists in the world are professors, Drs. Antonio and Hanna Damasio. New professors have been added to the department who have been highly recruited. Some of the best research in neuroimaging is taking place at USC. </p>
<p>Fourteen per cent of the incoming freshmen last year were the first in their family to enter college. You will find Achievement, Posse and Topping Scholars in your classes. Around 55+% of students receive financial aid. Hundreds are there because they earned a merit scholarship. At any elite private university you are going to find students from both modest and wealthy backgrounds as you find in the workplace after you graduate.</p>
<p>@megametalhead - caution about stereotypes. There are thousands of students at USC - some politically active, some not. Some rich, some not. And everything in between. One of the reasons why my student chose USC over other campuses was the wider range of diverse people, opinions and activities available there. </p>
<p>If you are flexible and adaptable - you’ll thrive at USC. If you come in with preconceived notions and stereotypes based on what you’ve “heard” then you’ll only find the things you fear.</p>