<p>Well, I'm deciding between engineering schools and wondering if and why anyone from Texas has picked USC over UTAustin.</p>
<p>I did three years ago(but not for engineering)...Texas is the second most represented state at USC, you'll meet tons of people from TX here.</p>
<p>trojangirlie may I ask what your reasons were for doing this?</p>
<p>Sure!</p>
<p>I had lived in Texas my whole life. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, and I want to move back when I graduate, but it was really nice to get out of the state for a while. It really makes you realize how great Texas is (though I am sure many Californians would be willing to disagree with me).</p>
<p>On top of that, I would say at least 50% of my high school was going to go to UT. I didn't want to be around the same people I had been with for my entire life, I wanted the chance to meet new people, make new groups of friends, and know people whose parents haven't known me since I was born. The chance to really discover who I was without any preconceived notions driving it was a wonderful thing.</p>
<p>Also, you can't beat the football team (literally). USC gets a LOT of respect in Texas right now, both academically and because people know the football team is good, so they assume the school is good. Plus, you cannot imagine how much fun it is to go home on breaks, and talk sh!t about Texas and OU teams and know that they can't say a word about it. </p>
<p>Lastly, getting out of Texas (red state) and heading to California (blue state) really gives you a lot of perspective on the country as a whole. No matter what your political beliefs, you will start to see why the country is divided the way it is. It's a very eye-opening experience, one I wouldn't trade for anything.</p>
<p>Also, if you are engineering, Viterbi just got a new $100 mill grant. USC's engineering school friggin rocks!</p>
<p>Now, that is not to say there aren't things I miss. People in California (and again I will probably have people who disagree) just aren't as nice as people in Texas. They are mean, horrible drivers - trust me, you will laugh at them the first time it rains. There is more visible poverty in Los Angeles. Everything is more expensive. You have to parallel park or valet most places. There is no Wal Mart. And the biggest thing I miss about Texas - in Texas, people go out at night to restaurant or bars or concerts. In LA, people go to pretentious snooty clubs. Totally not my scene.</p>
<p>BUT-I am really glad I came to USC. I think you would be too.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response.</p>
<p>My son chose USC engineering over UT Honors engineering. He's a freshman this year.</p>
<p>dt123, may I ask what attracted him to Viterbi?</p>
<p>If you go to Explore USC, send me a private message, I will put you in contact with him, and you can ask him yourself.</p>