<p>About 30% of my school goes to SC every year, and some days it seems like my whole neighborhood went to SC! I don't know quite what it is, but all I can say this is those SC people LOVE LOVE LOVE their school. In the fall my whole town is red and gold with Trojan flags, and every car's got USC stickers and license plate holders. So there must be something special about that place. :)</p>
<p>Actually I'd say of the three schools, the closest fit is Boston College: they have a good film studies program (USC is probably more production oriented, and Georgetown really has no arts programs to speak of), almost all students live on campus (unlike USC and to a lesser extent GTown), a good balance of partying and studying (I think the three schools are even on that one), and by far the nicest campus of the three.</p>
<p>Of course this last point depends on what you mean by "traditional campus." Besides Princeton, BC is the closest thing to the image of college I had in mind, mostly because of its grassy quads, Gothic architecture, etc:</p>
<p>But if the image of a "traditional American campus" in Bulgaria means 90210, than BC is definitely not what you're looking for. And if being in/near the center of town is important to you, BC's also probably not the best bet since it's more removed from the city. But the trade off is a campus with lots of nature, woods, lakes etc. And there's a subway stop on campus to get into town (about a half hour's ride)</p>
<p>Georgetown has a one of the nicest main quads you'll ever see, but the rest of campus is very small, overbuilt and rundown. USC is similar, but more spread out and better maintained.</p>
<p>USC's School of Cinema and Television has three undergraduate majors--Production, Critical Studies, and Writing for Screen and Televison <a href="http://www-cntv.usc.edu/academic_programs/academic-home.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www-cntv.usc.edu/academic_programs/academic-home.cfm</a>.</p>
<p>Students are required to take courses covering all three areas. My son, who is in Critical Studies, is now taking the major undergrad production course in the film school in which he has to make five different movies during the semester. USC puts significant amount of resources into all three majors and being in one doesn't prevent you from taking a number of courses in the other. </p>
<p>As to the looks of the campus perhaps you should go to the USC site on CC at <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=401%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=401</a> and ask your questions about the campus. You will also find pictures of the campus by several contributors.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Now in terms of social life, I don't mean to annoy anyone with my "demands", or shall I say prefrences, but I really want a life-like campus, that parties A LOT, and I don't just mean drinking on weekend nights, passing out and calling it true fun.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think it's great that you put a lot of emphasis on your social life. I would say USC is a perfect fit for you. If you join a sorority and buy a used car (sell after you graduate, won't depreciate much) you're pretty much set on the social aspect of your needs. </p>
<p>Although the commuter population tends to dampen the vibe on campus during the weekends, it really shouldn't affect you. You will have all your fun on campus during the week, but the weekend is a great time to go out and explore the many different parts of LA and OC. </p>
<p>My philosophy is, study hard through the week, party on Thursday night, rest on Friday, and go to the beach, West LA, South Bay, Pasadena, or OC, etc on Saturday (football games during Fall), and study hard on Sunday. I personally think it's a healthy balance. Goodluck with your decision!</p>
<p>As far as the cities go, I like Boston and WashDC better than LA. Boston and WashDC would be closer to what many European cities look--compact with good public transit. LA looks more like a cluster of suburbs. Its public transportation is very third-world. You pretty much have to own a car or you would feel handicapped in LA. The city is expensive to live in; rent is high and with the cost associated with owning a car (monthly payment, auto insurance, gas, routine maintenance, and tickets), your expense would be substantially more than if you would live in Boston and DC (no need to have a car in those places).</p>
<p>I may be wrong so please check up on this, but I have the impression Gtown is not strong in the arts... even film, which you're interested in. There was somewhere in NY famous for film ..gosh I can't remember..maybe NYU?</p>
<p>I really doubt that rent in some parts of LA is cheaper than living in downtown Boston - they are both VERY expensive. Yet, you probably wouldn't have to worry about it at BC because most students live on campus all 4 years (they have on-campus apartment things).</p>
<p>The rent at Boston is actually cheaper, at least as far as the nice areas go. I'd seen shared apts going $600-800 per person (assuming 2 people in 2 bd) in pretty good areas whereas you need $900-1000 at least in the better part of LA. In LA, a little house in an area that looks kinda run-down (such as 62th/Western where I wouldn't like to walk around after dark) is now costing 300-400K!</p>
<p>
[quote]
As far as the cities go, I like Boston and WashDC better than LA. Boston and WashDC would be closer to what many European cities look--compact with good public transit. LA looks more like a cluster of suburbs. Its public transportation is very third-world. You pretty much have to own a car or you would feel handicapped in LA. The city is expensive to live in; rent is high and with the cost associated with owning a car (monthly payment, auto insurance, gas, routine maintenance, and tickets), your expense would be substantially more than if you would live in Boston and DC (no need to have a car in those places).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Very true, but both transportation and rent can be mitigated by joining a sorority, which is what the original poster would probably do.</p>
<p>If you're looking at film, I would also add in UCLA (which offers a pretty good social atmosphere) and NYU.</p>
<p>NYU, being that it's in NYC, might be one of the best options for someone who wants a great social life. Can't say much about the campus though...</p>
<p>If you go to Boston College, downtown Boston rent rates wont matter, you'll be in Newton, where there aren't too many places to rent, mainly duplexes and board in family houses. That's why BC lives on campus, you're not in the city.</p>
<p>The difficulty with UCLA for film is that you cannot be admitted into the program until your third year. You run the risk of spending two years at UCLA and then not getting into the film program. At USC you can be admitted as a first semester freshman and begin your film course work immediately.</p>
<p>This is very very true. </p>
<p>I should've added that.</p>
<p>would anyone who is familar with USC comment on the whole "sorority" aspect? Are the majority of students @ the school frat and sorority people? Is your life limited if you are not a member of a sorority?
Just curious! thanks</p>
<p>Whoa I'm glad I found this thread!
I am too intrested in USC, and am an int'l studnts.
All the comments here were very helpful and encouraging, about the social aspect and everything. I am too going to start a bit older, how does it affect the social life really? Are freshman isolated and live in deifferent dorms/a different part of campus like in some school?</p>