Current USD Student: Anyone have questions?

<p>Hi,
Thanks for offering to give advice. I’ve found that some girls in Southern Cal tend to be superficial and not that kind or genuine. (I realize this is a generalization). I was wondering if you find this to be pretty common at USD or if this isn’t an issue. Thank you!</p>

<p>riley727: “oh, one more! where does USD tend to fall on the political spectrum? are the professors clearly biased in one direction? does that affect how they evaluate students?”</p>

<p>I would say definitely not. USD may not be very diverse ethnically, but they definitely have people who have a variety of ideas and beliefs. My teachers vary drastically. I have one who I am 95% sure is a socialist, yet another who is extremely Republican. My Anthro teacher is a super hippie…</p>

<p>californiatennis: Well I am a girl, and I definitely do not find myself to be superficial! Having spend a semester in the midwest though, I can see a difference in how people act. Here is what I have found… Everyone (girls AND BOYS) put up a bit of a front to people they don’t know. I wouldn’t describe it as shallow, but more just careful. They are genuinely kind. However, once you spend time around anyone, they open up and will be completely real and kind hearted people. </p>

<p>Anyways, I would say that at first glance some guys and girls at USD come across shallow, but most of them are not. I hope I answered this correctly! My point basically is, try not to generalize, and give everyone a chance. USD students tend to be exceptional in some way, and the majority of them are not superficial.</p>

<p>caliemi16: “this may sound like a shallow question but how is the food?”</p>

<p>Dude part of the reason i left the midwest was the food. i understand. I love it. I will admit, the dinners get repetitive and old, but there are so many options for lunch and breakfast that you get over it. As to fresh fruit, in the cafe’s (in which you can use your dining dollars that come with your meal plan) they have fruit variety, but in the dining hall for some annoying reason they have cantaloupe at dinner and strawberries at brunch. All the time. Least I love strawberries… Then they also always have oranges, apples, and bananas.</p>

<p>“Also, are the workout facilities nice, and do they offer classes for students to take like yoga and pilates?”</p>

<p>Now I will admit. I do not work our nearly as much as I should. So, for that reason i am fielding this one to one of my roommates.</p>

<p>The workout facilities are really nice. We have two different gyms. You can take yoga for credit and they have occasional free classes. Or you can buy a pass and go to as many classes as you want without taking it as a class (or having a requirement to attend).</p>

<p>ack!! just kidding, i thought of another. can students in the honors program study abroad for a whole year? thank you SO much for all of your help and patience!</p>

<p>riley727- have you heard a response from the honors program yet? its killing me to wait so long!</p>

<p>“can students in the honors program study abroad for a whole year? thank you SO much for all of your help and patience!”</p>

<p>Trust me it is no big deal! I LOVE USD and I truly enjoy answering your questions! I will admit that I do not know much about the honors program, but what I do know is that the study abroad office is EXTREMELY willing to help you work out everything to do with study abroad. That said, I would be very surprised if it were NOT possible</p>

<p>Thank you for your response. I know everybody can be hard to get to know at first… I was referring to people who are exclusive, cliquey, not nice to people who aren’t in the “popular” crowd…etc. It sounds like this isn’t really a problem which is great to hear</p>

<p>There is no “popular” crowd and there are not cliques in the same sense as high school. However, I would say that some people are “cliquey”, everyone just needs to find their place! </p>

<p>I would love to know if any of you have decided!</p>

<p>dconfused, i have chosen usd for next year and couldn’t be happier! it was a tough choice, (it came down to georgetown, usc, or usd) but i think that i made the right one. Your answers to these questions are certainly convincing me that i will love the school :)</p>

<p>My son is 90 percent going here as of today, over Pepperdine and LMU. I need 100 percent before I hit accept. He has til Monday!</p>

<p>Congragulations caliemi16! When it gets a bit closer feel free to ask anything about housing/classes etc!</p>

<p>caliemi16: Well I think USD is great and hope he picks it, but your son has fantastic choices! One thing I would like to mention is that Pepperdine and USD vary greatly when it comes to how religious are they are. I am not sure about LMU though…</p>

<p>USD has a very good record for studying Business and Law. I am hoping to have someone answer the question on USD’s strength in the sciences especially its success of placing students in Medical Colleges. I read somewhere that it is successful in Pre-Dentistry, any ideas on the Pre-Med side of things.
Appreciate an insight.</p>

<p>Hey! I don’t know to much about the sciences… so the only advice I have is to read this if you have not already.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.sandiego.edu/cas/documents/prehealth/faq.pdf[/url]”>http://www.sandiego.edu/cas/documents/prehealth/faq.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Could your friends in the Honors Program please tell me a bit about the Honors Program experience and whether or not many students in the Honors program are involved in Greek life? I’ve perused the website, but I’d like to hear something from an actual student involved in the program. </p>

<p>I feel so frustrated right now! Several weeks ago, I spoke with someone from the Honors Program office, and she told me that people would hear back on the 18th of April. My counselor called two days ago, and the same lady said that I could expect news by the end of the week… It’s the 22nd, and I still haven’t heard anything. Furthermore, USD’s offices are closed for break, which means I’m going to have less than a week to decide where I’m going to school. Acceptance into the Honors program is the do-or-die factor for me with USD. I don’t know what to do. =(</p>

<p>I have a complicated question. So I was in Quebec, Canada for the 3 years of my 4 high school years. My grades in California for my 7th grade and 12th grade were straight As with AP classes. However, in Canada, since I was being taught in a whole other language, the droppped and I had Bs and I didnt have the chance to take AP classes. Therefore, my GPA isnt as high as it could be. How could I have them consider me for the Honors program or for other merit grants? I never received a C, even when being taught in french and i believe I am being penalized for that, because I am a straight A student.</p>

<p>Hey guys! Sorry I have not been on! I went home for the break and my internet connection was soooo awful! So sorry!</p>

<p>People who are in honors are not just honors students. They are in sports, they join greek life, and the are part of clubs, and the school newspaper. The honors program is an extra aspect of your curriculum but it does not take over. A main part of the curriculum involves the thesis you will have to write and present your senior year. As a part of the honors program you take about 25 credits and have extra opportunities and available help.</p>

<p>Mella1: Since your situation is unique you should contact the department directly. I would suggest writing a letter of appeal about the merit aid situation, and to also call the department directly. Then, you should be aware that if you have over a 3.4 you are eligible to apply for the honors program after your first semester at USD.</p>

<p>again, thank you, thank you, thank you! see you next fall! =)</p>

<p>Glad to hear you’ll be here in fall riley! If you have any other questions feel free to ask!!!</p>

<p>How did you pay for USD?</p>

<p>Uhg, trust me when I say this is a long story I do not even want to go in to… Here is what I will say… USD is an excellent school and you can appeal aid if you need to.</p>

<p>Hi I am a junior from the suburbs of Chicago and am wondering what my chances at getting into usd. I have around a 3.4 gpa and have taken an honors history class and Ap us history. My act score is a 24 ( but my nxt one should b a 25). I know my grades are not on the high end but am wondering if usd really does look at you as an individual. I am president of my school, and involved in a ton of extra curriculars such as key club, habitat 4 humanity and best buddies(treasurer). I also help at our local homeless shelter every other Friday from 530 am-7 am. I am a youth leader for our middle school ministry at our church ( catholic if that helps). Also I have had internships with our chamber of commerce and have been an intern for a local politician. I want to major in political science. So back to my question, what are my chances at getting in to usd. And will all my other non- academic stuff help?</p>