Current TROJANS taking questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
161

<p>I honestly do not know much about financial aid, nor do I know if what you've read is true, mostly because of the fact that I am not yet a junior. However, I know that USC stands by its claim that they will fulfill 100% of your need, whatever that means. Sorry I can't be of anymore help.</p>

<p>By rank, the Viterbi school of engineering ranks higher than the Jacobs school at UCSD, however, rank does not tell the whole story. Trying to be as objective as possible, I think USC's Chem. Engineering program has a slight edge, first, because the Mork Family donated a HUGE sum of money to the chemical engineering program to upgrade equipment and programs, so your future looks especially bright. Second, we're supported by lots of companies such as Chevron, who's always on campus recruiting, sponsoring our yearly Engineering Career Conference, and giving overall support to students.</p>

<p>Not only that, but I was looking at the chem. engineering website, and the department has a whopping 9 research centers, with support from the DOE, NSF, NASA, DOD, etc. That means lots of opportunities for you to do research with your professor as an undergrad and chances also to get involved with the industry.</p>

<p>At this point, I recommend you choose your housing ASAP and turn in your deposit, even if you end up deciding to go elsewhere.</p>

<p>For housing, it's really a matter of preference, but apartments aren't always cheaper, because you have to account for extra food. If you want to meet people, choose the dorms. Overall, all the dorms are good for both studying and socializing, but from what I hear, Trojan Hall is the most quiet. I'm in North, which is said to probably be the most social out of all of them, and I'm a Biomedical-Electrical Engineer, which is said to be one of the hardest majors at USC, and I've been able to keep a balance of studying and socializing (as do the other 7-8 engineers in my hall).</p>

162

<p>Thanks beammeup4. I am grateful that you take the time to answer my questions. umm... I have one more question. If I do well in USC (say get good grades and stuff), is it possible to apply/get scholarships in the subsequent years. I wasn't able to get any scholarships this year as I applied late.
Thanks.</p>

163

<p>Yes, vagan, there are scholarships for continuing students, required GPA depends on the scholarship and there might be other requirements as well.</p>

164

<p>Thanks jessetfan...just what I needed to hear. :)</p>

165

<p>Thanks to all for answering questions like this; very noble of you.</p>

<p>I have a couple questions about majors. I've been accepted as a Chemical Engineering major, but I'm not too dead set on it and I've got interests in places as far away as political science, so that said:</p>

<p>Switching majors - Is that something that's easy to do? or frowned upon? I'd guess it would depend on how competitive the program you're trying to transfer into is, but just thought I'd ask. How difficult would it be to change majors within Viterbi versus political science or something in Cinema even?</p>

<p>Double Majoring - I've heard and read about USC encouraging unique double majors, but can you do that within four years? (especially with something as structured as engineering) do people get swamped with work trying to double major?</p>

<p>Thanks for your insight.</p>

166

<p>Switching majors is easy for most programs, that being said, switching majors into cinema would be difficult, but doable. If you want to switch from engineering to political science that would be very easy, just fill out a form. </p>

<p>Double majoring as an engineer is not easy, I don't know that it's possible within four years. I remember a friend saying that his major took up every unit needed to graduate. Double majoring is definitely possible within humanities, I'll be double majoring in political science and classics starting the first semester of my sophomore year and will graduate in four years.</p>

167

<p>You can change majors within engineering automatically as many times as you want - there are no restrictions.</p>

<p>Similarly it should be simple to change from engineering into any college degree (i.e., like political sci)</p>

<p>Double major in engineering is hard to do in 4 years without incoming AP work. It's entirely possible, though. </p>

<p>It's more reasonable if you already speak a foreign language because you can take the placement exam and avoid the up to 12 units of foreign language you have to take.</p>

<p>Lots of engineering students minor, though, esp. in business. Minors are perfectly reasonable even if you don't have AP work or can stay summers.</p>

168

<p>protokurios- you mentioned that Marks Hall (Dean's hall) had it's own gym. (!)
Obviously, I'm not expecting a full-fledged gym, but are there any other perks to Marks Hall?</p>

<p>How about Trojan Hall for that matter? (to Nikara)</p>

<p>Things like music rooms, etc.?</p>

169

<p>I have a question about financial aid... how generous is USC with finaid? My fafsa said that I have a EFC of about 15,000 which kind of sucks because I may not be able to afford it. I'm sure I'm going to get a merit scholarship since I'm a transfer student with a 3.82 and A's in all my pre-reqs for Marshall.</p>

170

<p>Marks Hall and Trojan Hall are completely separate buildings, and I doubt many people from Trojan Hall come to Marks Hall to use the gym. The universal machine in the basement of Marks is most likely old equipment from Lyon Center, but it works. There are also cycling machines and a rowing machine, although last time I checked none of the cycling machines worked. Also in the basement is a small "library." It has old books and is used for studying, watching movies, playing games, etc.</p>

<p>I hear Marks Hall is getting a new paint job, new carpets, new bathrooms, and more equipment from Lyon Center next year.</p>

171

<p>Ditto everything that Proto said. I live in Marks, and have only been in Trojan a few times, although that isn't the case with everyone.</p>

172

<p>There are music rooms in Pardee Tower which you are free to use, although none in Marks or Trojan.</p>

173

<p>How are the tripples with the study room? They look like that could be pretty cool.</p>

174

<p>How big is greek life? How much does it cost to join a sorority? How much does it cost to live in a sorority house?</p>

175

<p>What does rushing mean?</p>

176

<p>I think a current fraternity bro could answer your greek-related questions better, but rushing is basically a period of time (about a semester) where you've committed to want to join the frat, been accepted by the brothers, and you have to complete a bunch of different tasks which I cannot describe here.</p>

177

<p>Rushing is the process you go through to find out what fraternity or sorority you want to join. If you're trying to join a frat, basically rush is going to all the houses and then going with different houses to different places, like baseball games, out to eat, etc. If you're rushing for sororities, you go to all the houses and sit down and meet with girls, tour the houses, watch slideshows, etc.</p>

178

<p>WAIT, sorry, that's wrong...rushing is the week around the beginning of each semester where you take a look at the houses, join the bro's for activities and decide which frat you want to consider, or even if you want to join a frat.</p>

<p>Ok, that's enough greek-stuff from me...</p>

179

<p>could someone please tell me details about the surrounding neighborhood? how can i get comfortable with the campus safety? everytime i tell someone that my daughter may go to USC, they tell me that the neighborhood is horrible. i am from the east coast and don't really have a sense of the neighborhood. thanks in advance.</p>

180

<p>Here is the link to another thread that discusses safety around campus: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=157686%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=157686&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>