<p>Is there any store like a Target near campus?</p>
<p>Also, I read somewhere that USC will provide sheets, etc for your dorm bed for a fee - - is that worth doing? Do a lot of people do that?</p>
<p>Thanx</p>
<p>This link has a list of stores nearby:</p>
<p>fluor vs. birnkrant</p>
<p>go!</p>
<p>You all will be getting an SCampus, which is basically your guidebook to USC and the surrounding LA area. It has locations of places to eat, places to visit, and places to shop.</p>
<p>USC will also offer you a bunch of dorm items for a fee. You should be getting a flier in the mail sometime soon. You might be tempted to toss it out at first glance, but consider the fact that for your bed, it is not a standard Twin. It's a Twin XL, which means your regular bedsheets won't fit on it. You can find TwinXL sheets at most bedding places, but just keep in mind that bringing yours from home won't work.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that the comforter is quite large to transport. I opted to purchase a TwinXL comforter from USC so I could have more room to transport other stuff. Price was decent. Nice thing is that your comforter is delivered right to USC during move-in day.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input - it would be nice not to have to lug bedding on a plane.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to get places on public transportation? My son will never have a car at USC, since we live 2000 miles away.</p>
<p>He'll be fine...if he can make friends... LA Public Transportation works if needed, but so many kids have cars that it usually isnt a problem for those without...</p>
<p>Yeah, I live less than a mile from the Atlantic, so I undoubtedly will never have a car. What is predominant though- subway or bus?</p>
<p>Thanks Cubsrule. Are you from Chicago?</p>
<p>The bus system is expansive, but can take a lot of time if you need to make transfers. Most people also avoid it at night. The subway system is rather limited, but the commuter trains from Union Station can get you to nearby counties if you want something different.</p>
<p>Plenty of kids have a car, so it's easy to do things with friends.</p>
<p>Why not at night- unsafe? Or is that just a preconcieved notion?</p>
<p>not so much safety, as that the buses don't run as much at night. Depends on the specific route.</p>
<p>edit: should mention that this applies to the LA dept. of transportation buses, not the USC buses.</p>
<p>MomofChris - my son uses public transportation around LA. To Santa Monica Pier, Even to the airport. LA transit has a web site, put in your beginning destination (USC) and end (LAX) and it will give you the buses/metro to take and how long it takes to get there. The problem he has found are that the places to wait for the bus are not well marked and if you are not at the exact place, the bus passes you by. So that is the biggest annoyance. A week ago - he and his friends stumbled upon a unique metro station in LA that has a sculpture of a hand throwing a paper airplane. One of the perks of traveling about without a car.</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if any east coast students are on the board and how easy/difficult he/she found it was to buy stuff when they got to USC.</p>
<p>I flew from Atlanta with my mom at the start of freshman year. Most of my luggage was just clothing and bedding. We purchased small furniture/dishes for my apartment out here. Having a parent with a car that first day or two makes it <em>much</em> easier to move your stuff around and make last minute runs to Target, IKEA, etc.</p>
<p>If you're living in a dorm and don't need too much stuff, it is possible to do things by yourself. During Welcome Week, USC has a few shuttles running to Target. Either that, or make friends with someone who has a car.</p>
<p>One question: I know during orientation, you meet up with your counselor and register for classes. Orientation is late June, so AP scores will not be out yet. Does this mean that your schedule will be created based on the assumption that you failed all your tests and have to add/drop classes if you pass? Or is there a simpler method?</p>
<p>probably they'll just operate under the assumption that you never took those AP's. It's not a big problem though. I can't imagine any classes that you need an AP exam to get into would fill up. If you're really concerned about it, just tell'em you think you got a 4/5 and that you really want to do such and such and probably they'll let you do it anyway.</p>
<p>Finances
Can a current USC student discuss the pros & cons of debit cards, credit cards, USC discretionary account, checking/savings accounts (in home state & one on campus) & other financial ins & outs that you learned while at USC? Thanks!</p>
<p>I use Bank of America for savings and checking. There is a branch across the street from campus, as well as BoA ATMs near the bookstore. There is also a USC Credit Union, which I do not know much about.</p>
<p>I usually carry my debit card for larger purchases such as books and groceries. For quick on-campus purchases like snacks, I just use discretionary funds on my student ID (USCard) which is faster because it doesn't require a PIN or signature.</p>
<p>I didn't bother opening up a checking account for California. I didn't really see the point because I still go back home during the summer. The only disadvantage is that Bank of America requires you to use out-of-state deposit forms that have to be given to a teller. Other than not being able to make deposits at an ATM, there haven't been any issues.</p>
<p>About AP scores, I happened to be at orientation the VERY day that the CollegeBoard sent scores to the universities, which is done before they mail scores to you. I think it was July 1. I found out my scores during registration that day...</p>
<p>^ I didn't know about the Bank of America out-of-state forms, thanks for letting us know, Ned5555. I actually have accounts at both Bank of America and the Credit Union. My paychecks and any deposits go to the CU, then I usually e-transfer the money to BoA. The CU is pretty good for getting an account; you can also make no fee ATM withdrawals at any STAR ATM around the country, although deposits can be difficult.</p>