Got a question about SC? Ask an Alum!

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>To introduce myself, I graduated from SC in '07 from the Marshall School of Business. I'm a very proud alum who still bleeds cardinal and gold and would do anything to help SC be a better school (and not only with academics). I thought since I couldn't afford to give USC million dollar donations in order to name a building after me (for now), I would do the next best thing and answer questions for people interested in applying to USC and hopefully making the high school to SC transition as smooth as possible. So ask me anything about SC. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability. Good Luck to all of the applicants trying to get into Fall 2009 freshman class!</p>

<p>Fight On!</p>

<p>Hi!!</p>

<p>I'm not a Fall 2009 applicant, but I just transfered in and will be starting this Fall! I have a question about books. What is the cheapest way to get books? Do I HAVE to buy all the books on the list or can I wait until after classes start to figure out if I really need some of them? Thanks :-D</p>

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Congrats on your transfer!</p>

<p>I usually got my books on half.com. All you need to know is the serial number that's on the bar code on the back of the book and type it in the search feature. Don't get International Edition textbooks since some of them don't match the U.S. version. Always ask the professor on the first day if you can use the previous edition books and get the book for usually 40 bucks or less.</p>

<p>Also, you can usually wait until classes start to start buying books, but the USC bookstore has a good return policy, but never ever buy the course readers (the custom binded books) until you are committed to the class.</p>

<p>I got a question about my schedule, I'm not sure if you can answer it, but here it goes. </p>

<p>I was unable to attend orientation and haven't registered for classes. I'm supposed to register after move-in day on the 22nd in an on-campus orientation at Marshall. I don't why why I can't register online or over the phone (the man I talked to in Marshall said it had to be over orientation)... </p>

<p>My question is, do you think I will be able to get the classes I need in order to graduate in time ?, or will pretty much every class needed for the popular business admin. major be booked up ?... I'm extremely worried about this.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>^HAHA i had that problem when I was a freshman. My advisor told me to relax, don't worry about it. Of course I did... I tried to do it over the phone too (she said it might've been possible if I wasn't out of the country. I don't know why that mattered)</p>

<p>But once I got there, my advisor got me into some classes needed for my graduation and it was alright.(if I did it now, I would've gotten out of a GE 2 class she stuck me in.. it was really boring) If you don't like it, you can always change it. They know what classes are needed for you to graduate. The thing is, you always have to talk to your advisor once a semester before you can register (so they can help you graduate on time) and that's why they are making you do this.</p>

<p>Don't worry about it, the advisor will take care of it. You'll graduate on time... if you wish. You might not get the classes you want, but you'll get your required classes :)</p>

<p>Oh and I want a building or a school named after me too SC GUY 07! LOL lets work toward that goal >W<</p>

<p>Applying for fall '09: thinking about Marshall; when you are in Marshall do you feel a part of the larger school and meet people outside of it? Thinking about pros/cons about Marshall vs. global business major in USC college. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Hi okgal,</p>

<p>The Marshall School of Business makes up a large percentage of the majors that undergrads eventually choose. I think around 1500 people graduated with me. Right there there is a lot of people to meet. But with the General education requirements you have to take outside of your major and also writing classes, you are certainly a part of the entire USC academic experience.</p>

<p>There is also a great Greek life which gives you a chance to meet a lot of people and also extracurricular clubs and activities to take part of. So there is no reason to think that Marshall Students are in a world by themselves. Oh yeah, how can you forget about the camaraderie in Trojan football and sports?</p>

<p>On to your second question. If you want to go into business field then Marshall is the right choice. Ranked #9 in undergraduate business in US News, it covers a broad spectrum of business world and lets you choose a specific concentration to cover in your senior year from finance to marketing. Definitely prepares you for a career in business. If you want a less focused and more liberal arts balanced education then the USC arts and letters school is for you. You have plenty of time to choose whatever you want to study in.</p>

<p>Good luck with your application process! Hopefully a future Trojan I'm responding to.</p>

<p>Hey RijeosXeper,</p>

<p>uyulove couldn't said it better!</p>

<p>Thanks SC Guy and uyulove, this definitely gives me a little peace at mind.. I was freaking out about not knowing my classes until 2 days before I had to take them, but I hope everything will be allright.</p>

<p>The thing is I'm a sophomore and a half/ 3 quarters... I don't have enough units for junior standing, but I think I have a few extra over the sophomore requirement, so I'm planning to take an extra summer session or take a few extra classes during my 2 years at USC to graduate in 2 years, instead of 3... I can't afford a 3rd year without taking on some serious debt and I want to stay away from that...</p>

<p>Hey, I have a question about bikes. In your opinion, is getting a bike a good idea?</p>

<p>Also, I want to buy the bike when I get there because I heard about the huge bike sale; do you know how expensive bikes are at the sale? And also, is it easy to get one or do they tend to run out? Thanks! :]</p>

<p>Just to partly answer satsberrine's question. Yea DPS auctions it off and I might think of getting on that. I think it is around very early September and i know the search option will find that date. I heard the bicycles are cheap. Okay SC guy you take over I am only an incoming freshman what do I know lol. </p>

<p>Now my questions addressed to you:</p>

<p>1) What are some great places to get free printing and in your opinion where are the best spots to study?</p>

<p>2) Who is the best Math 118 teacher anyway. I'm taking my chances with Voineagu at the moment. </p>

<p>3) What would you recommend so every last drop of opportunity is squeezed out (or tell us things you regretted not doing while in marshall)? What can I do to make the most of marshall besides studying, getting involved and the typical stuff.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I heard about the huge bike sale

[/quote]

The sale.. is crap. Only some hundred people got in last time after waiting in line for like 2 hours. They only let in like 1-5 people at a time and pick out a bike. The bike is probably cheap, but its less of an hassle (and a higher possibility) to just get one from target(I got one for like 70 and it was new too) or the bike shop in the UV although its a bit expensive.</p>

<p>RijeosXeper, that is messed up! I called the 28th of July, because I couldn't go to orientation, got an appointment with an "undecided" advisor for the next day. As of after the appointment, I'm all set up in terms of registration</p>

<p>My question is- I love parties and fun times, but I don't want to rush/join a sorority. I was going to do the former until recently, then I decided... ugh. Will I be alright socially?</p>

<p>Is it necessary to buy the Math 218 Textbook packaged?
Will we really use Minitab 14 in that class?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>1lazysoul,</p>

<p>When I had my professor, the notes you took in class were basically all you needed. They give out homework depending on your professor so you might need to borrow a book from a friend to copy pages. The catch is they use the minitab for assignments. I remember a computer lab at Kapreliean Hall that had computers with minitab already loaded so you can use that for free. If you are ammitious enough to come to class every time and take notes and go to the free computer lab, I think that will be enough to save you 200 bucks.</p>

<p>srabiee90,</p>

<p>Having a bike on campus will really cut down on travel time. Good luck trying to lock it up though at Leavy Library at Finals!</p>

<p>On your sorority question, I have to say that the best times I had at USC were with my friends and hanging around town or watching the football games and not just at parties (although some were good). I believe around 10% - 20% participate in greek life so don't feel left out if you don't want to join one. I heard there was a lot of strict rules with sorority life so don't sign up unless you fit in well with the rest of the house. I hope I helped you out a bit.</p>

<p>I see you are from KC! I love BBQ and I hope to visit there one day to try arthur bryant's!</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies!</p>

<p>Another question: Do most people bring their laptops to class? Or are notes mainly taken on paper?</p>

<p>I would prefer to take notes on my laptop, and if so, am going to have to buy a certain kind of backpack to accomodate taking it to and from class. However, if taking computers to class is generally not done, then I'll stick with paper and not buy the backpack. </p>

<p>Thanks for your help! :]</p>

<p>tenacious.sol,</p>

<p>To answer your question, I did not take Math 118 because of an exemption so I can't really help you on that. Use the Student Senate course website because they usually rate and will tell you if the teacher is easy. I relied on them alot.</p>

<p>Free printing @ USC? Hmmm. I thought Crocker Library gave out a few free printouts to Marshall Students a semester. But if you have a work study job and have access to a printer, especially the library, they usually allow you to print for free.</p>

<p>For your third question, I really think is worth while to take classes outside of Marshall with your free electives. Not only does it give you a break from business education it really makes you feel that you came to school to have a broader purpose. That is the way I felt after taking these types of classes. I hope you do as well.</p>