<p>The one I would be going to is in Dallas, but I saw a picture of someone who went to one in Boston and it sounded like not many people go. I would've loved to go to the Explore USC event, but I don't live close enough or have the funds to easily go. I already know quite a bit about USC and I already went to a pre-admission info session. If I did go, I was mainly going to meet other students but I'm also kind of shy so I didn't know how that would pan out. Can anyone tell me what it's like or if it's worth going to? Thank you!</p>
<p>I went to one back in the day (same story… couldn’t up and go across the country easily) and would highly recommend it. You can meet with potential fellow classmates and also talk turkey about financial aid if necessary. College is so ridiculously expensive that before you commit to a $60K per year school, spending ~$200 (?) to do a last bit of homework on the school and to probe financial aid is a wise move.</p>
<p>Good luck! Feel free to post any other questions.</p>
<p>@USCAlum05 thank you for replying! Would you still recommend going if I don’t have any of my own questions to ask? </p>
<p>@tizzlygrizzly Hey are you still going? Could you let me know what happens? I was planning on going to the Dallas one but can’t. </p>
<p>We had S and I go back in 2006. The good thing was being able to take placement tests, meet advisor, register for classes, meet other students and families whose kids were USC bound, and start a USC Credit Union account. I opened a joint account, so I could add or withdraw funds for S. Tied the account to my money market account. For D when she transferred, had her attend transfer orientation alone to register for class, meet advisor, etc. It was held at USC, shortly before school began. </p>
<p>By all means I would recommend going. It’s a classic case that you don’t know what you don’t know and, particularly if you’re still having reservations about matriculating, you can meet other kids from your local area who would be your future classmates, and listen to whatever presentations the university has to offer. Then you can really decide whether you’ll fit in.</p>
<p>I also highly recommend the credit union. They’re fantastic, particularly compared to the Bank of America SOBs across the street from campus.</p>
<p>YES IT IS WORTH GOING! We went last year and son was really familiar with USC having an older brother there. Still totally worth it. Met some other students and local alumni…Learned the fight song, it is fun, happy atmosphere, you get some goodies and has food. You will feel very proud to be part of this event and group, it is a first step in bonding with the Trojan Family. Absolutely go!</p>
<p>post edit - Don’t worry about being on the quiet or shy side, you can be as social (or not) as you want. No pressure at all. Mine is like you so I ended up starting a conversation with another student or two and handing off the conversation to him as I stepped back and off he went…but some stick with their parents, which is fine to. I hope you go!</p>
<p>One more thing - We also went to UCLA’s admitted student event where he also got in, these events are not at all like the dry presentations where they are telling you about the school to get you to apply. These are so much better, more like a social gathering and celebration with a fun lighthearted presentation. USC’s was really impressive - the current students, recent graduates, and alumni there were from all walks of life. They talk the cool stuff, not the statistics.</p>
<p>I’m in the camp of - it depends if you can afford it. Honestly, you are required to go to orientation in the summer and even though it’s included in tuition there is airfare to consider - two months before Move-In.</p>
<p>My D did go to a USC event out of state (NY). It wasn’t crowded and there weren’t a lot of admitted students from her department attending (SCA). BUT she met two of her best friends at that reception so it was, for us, a real return on the investment. Sometimes small and intimate gatherings (the breakout sessions by department after the larger presentation) is an advantage. </p>
<p>Still - you indicated that it might be a stretch financially to have to add that to all the “other” ancillary expenses that come with enrolling. So if you can afford to manage it (look for sales on Southwest for instance which will let you fly in early in the day and out the same day so you don’t have to stay over night) it would be fun.</p>
<p>But if you can’t afford it, don’t worry. Contact USC to see if there is an alumni send-off in your area in the summer. that will allow you to meet other students and families near you. We did that as well and were surprised when one of the USC parents was able to make a fabulous industry connection for our incoming freshman.</p>
<p>Life is about opportunities - but not if it will create a hardship financially. </p>
<p>Correction @tizzlygrizzly after reading @ArtsandLetters reply I realized I I totally misunderstood your post, I must have read too quickly - I thought the issue was you couldn’t afford to go to the Explore in LA at USC, but you had one local to attend and were debating whether it was worth the time to go to one in Dallas (and I thought you were in Dallas). I thought you were debating whether to drive to one in your area. So I take back what I said in your case…gosh, they are fun, if they are in your town or nearby, but not worth spending money on to attend and travel some distance to. Sorry! Wow, my bad. Will read more closely next time!</p>
<p>Actually - @CADreamin, I was multi-tasking and I think I messed up in my interpretation. @Tizzlygrizzly - YES - if the event is local or near enough for you to get there without expense - you should go. Believe it or not, USC is a huge university and part of the process will be getting to meet people and ask questions in a smaller forum where everyone is accepted versus “aspiring.”</p>
<p>Sigh. I will learn to read more carefully next time or ask for clarification - mea culpa. @CADreamin - I think you were more on the ball than me this time. :-)</p>