General Questions and Computer Science

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>I'm currently deciding between USC, UC San Diego, UT Austin, Rose-Hulman and possibly GA Tech for transfer (Won't hear back from GA Tech until mid Summer). Right now it seems to be between USC and UCSD. UCSD had a really a informative and welcoming transfer admit day, after I was admitted, and USC... Well, I need some answers. </p>

<p>1) Is smoking allowed on campus? I noticed it is expressly prohibited in some areas and would assume it is allowed otherwise, but I did see a "designated" area near the bookstore so rather confused. </p>

<p>2) Is Traditions open? On the USC mobile site it stated it as being closed rather than listing hours though according to their website and Yelp they open at 4 and close at midnight or something. Also, where do people hang out? I only noticed one bar off campus and if I live near the school I hope to have more options than one bar, lol, especially if said bar has no smoker accommodations. </p>

<p>3) What are the class sizes and do professors have office hours? Particularly for CS. And if anyone is taking or has taken any CS courses, what language is used? Also, is there tutoring available and what is available 24 hours (labs/tutors/etc)? Lastly, I saw a lab in the CS building filled with macs... Are there PCs to use as well? </p>

<p>4) Is there a unit cap for undergraduates? Looking at the program for CS, in comparison to UCSD and other schools, the program seems rather bland unless I mix in several minors which will boost the number of units I'll be hoping to finish. </p>

<p>5) How difficult is it to pick up minors? All the minors I'd want to take are in the Information Technology Program and require approvals. What determines who gets approved to pursue those minors and is there a limit to the number one can pursue? </p>

<p>6) Is there research for undergraduate? I know there is some summer program but USC doesn't really seem to emphasis any self-led, undergraduate research as does other schools. </p>

<p>7) Internships/job offers... Do they come to you or must you find them? </p>

<p>8) Any included amenities with tuition and fees such as the gym? Also, I saw a pool with a jacuzzi, is that included? And if yes, what are the hours. </p>

<p>If anyone can share any thoughts on these questions or otherwise it will be appreciated... I keep thinking I narrowed down my choices to UCSD and USC but then I can't decide between the two and start thinking about all these other offers. So any insight.</p>

2

<p>1) Yes
2) Yes
3) It varies from ~200 for 100-level classes to 10 for upper division. No idea on language. Private tutors are available, and there are 24/7 computer labs all around campus with both macs and pcs.
4) Nope
5)Not too hard; just talk to your advisor and usually they’ll tell you everything you need to do
6)Yup, but you need to look for opportunities.
7) Since you are CS, if you excel they’ll be easier to find but you’ll still have to meet them halfway
8) Gym’s included, same for pool - hours are usually 7am-midnight iirc</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>A new law in Los Angeles states that smoking is not allowed within 10 feet of eating establishments and is also banned from outdoor eating patios; that’s why there’s a smoking section by the student center since people eat outside at the tables. Other than that, smoking is allowed pretty much anywhere else (outdoors) on campus. I am a smoker and during my UG career and this current grad career haven’t experienced being told I was/wasn’t allowed to smoke in a certain area.</p></li>
<li><p>Traddies is open, it just has limited hours. Alcohol is also served at several USC owned eateries in the area — Rossos, The Lab and Moreton Fig. The 9-0 is the “frat bar,” but there is also the 2-9 cafe (wine and beer), Bacaro (wine bar, serves beer too) and La Barca (Mexican place popular with students that serves alcohol.) Do keep in mind that, with the opening of the Metro line, Downtown is extremely accessible; since it’s close by, you can also take a cab. DTLA has many, many bars (ranging from dives to upscale) that are open until 2am.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Everything else was answered pretty well. LOL at the jobs thing. Of course you have to apply or show interest in jobs and internships! Haha.</p>

4

<ol>
<li> There is a cap of 18 units per semester for UG for normal tuition. There is an additional charge for extra units unless you meet high GPA (3.75 and above) and apply for special funding.</li>
</ol>

5

<p>1) Yes, but not near windows.
2) Hours are 4 until midnight, 2am on Thursdays.
3) Check here to see how many people are in each section: [Computer</a> Science | USC Schedule of Classes](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/soc/20123/csci]Computer”>http://web-app.usc.edu/soc/20123/csci)
4) 12-18 units is flat rate tuition, extra per unit after that
5) Easy.
6) Yes, see here:[USC</a> Undergraduate Research](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/ugresearch/oncampus_awards.shtml]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/ugresearch/oncampus_awards.shtml)
and [USC</a> Undergraduate Research](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/ugresearch/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/ugresearch/)
7) More go out and find than come to you. See [Welcome</a>! | USC Career Center](<a href=“http://careers.usc.edu/]Welcome”>http://careers.usc.edu/) and ConnectSC on left side.
8) Hours on left side, however these are summer hours and it is open later during Fall and Spring: [USC</a> Recreational Sports](<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/Recsports/]USC”>http://sait.usc.edu/Recsports/)</p>

6

<p>Thank you all for the replies, appreciate it. </p>

<p>Just need to get my financial aid package now as I believe USC will be a good fit for me.</p>

<p>One question though: For those CS courses there are fees listed,</p>

<p>Fee: ENGR Computing Access Fee - Fa2012, $75.00
Fee: ENGR-UG Student Activity Fee Fa2012, $5.00</p>

<p>Are those fees charged per class or once for the entire semester? And is acceptable to bring and work on one’s own laptop in class?</p>

7

<p>Once for the entire semester.</p>

8

<p>The best internships go to the people who aggressively seek out the ones that they want. Sitting back waiting for something to happen is rarely a good strategy. </p>

<p>Smoking? Seriously? Friend, if you’re actually basing your decision on the best college to attend on whether you can smoke you might want to investigate the nicotine patch.</p>