<p>
</p>
<p>actually, that was going on USC’s own data that 40% of their students would be able to afford to pay full tuition. Doesn’t Steve Ballmer’s son go there?</p>
<p>Thanks Hawkwings! I appreciate your comments!</p>
<p>NC Mom,</p>
<p>My son lived in Birnkrant 2009/2010. He was in a triple with a laptop and expensive music equipment. Never had anything stolen in spite of theoretically more traffic and potential for roomate or roomate friend problems. He has had a bike stolen and I suspect that is the most common theft followed by laptop or similar electronics. My wife bought him a gadget to lock his laptop to his desk and was very conscious of the potential since we are from a small midwest town and he also wasn’t used to worrying about theft. I haven’t asked but I am sure he never used the lock for his laptop and probably threw it away after my wife and I left. Claims the bike was locked when it was stolen, but it was a $45 bike with a $50 lock, so the lock was the bigger loss. Biggest security recommendation I would have is expect he’ll have a bike stolen and buy a $50-100 used one so it isn’t a big deal. Otherwise if he is reasonably careful in the dorms he is likely not to have any issues. Hawkwings’ Birnkrant secuirty description is consistent with my memory. P.S. my son loved Birnkrant.</p>
<p>beyphy,</p>
<p>I’m aware of USC data that states 60% of students receive need-based aid. Also, 24% receive merit-based aid, with ovelap b/w the two. Is there actually data that says 40% of students can afford full-tuition, or are you (erroneously) extrapolating?</p>
<p>And if you’re going to compare against UCLA’s student body, you need data that shows how many of them could have afforded full-tuition at USC.</p>
<p>Have you got that data, or just more speculation?</p>
<p>Thanks for the information raddad. My son is in a triple on the 4th floor! He isn’t bringing a bike so that is one less thing to worry about!</p>
<p>NC Mom – Your son may not bring a bike, but he should probably end up buying one. It’s how a large majority of students get around and make those times when you’re running late much easier. Just something to consider!</p>
<p>As far as dorm theft goes, I’ll echo the sentiments of previous posters: Be smart about your belongings, be smart about who you let into your room, work out a common understanding with your roommate.</p>
<p>Student to student theft is more common than outside theft. It’s sad, and I don’t know why people do it, but it’s important your student recognizes this. </p>
<p>I recommend buying a laptop lock just as extra insurance. It’s a worthwhile investment; I left my laptop on my desk in the dorm frequently and locked it to the desk itself. Occasionally, I would bring it to the library so I wouldn’t have to bring my laptop to the bathroom or to the coffee shop when I took breaks from my work. I also recommend buying an external hard drive to keep his personal/school files on in case his laptop is lost, stolen or damaged.</p>
<p>Also, my parents added my laptop (and eventually, other expensive things I brought to school) to their homeowners insurance in case of theft or damage. Again, something to consider. This ended up being a good buffer in case something did happen to my laptop. (My laptop was damaged during college – but not at USC! It was at LAX; baggage handlers dropped it during the x ray!)</p>
<p>Don’t leave your expensive items/clothing/accessories out in plain view and don’t flaunt them around. I learned that the hard way when a pair of really nice, really pricey vintage sunglasses I owned were stolen by a “friend of a friend” of my roommate. I also had a roommate who would steal clothes from me and our other roommate – I think the clothes/accessory theft is more common in females, but just be aware of that, too!</p>
<p>Have your son discuss with his roommate the procedure for locking doors; if they’re on the same page, things should work out fine. (ie: Lock the door when no one is in the room, make sure roommate has keys if they go to the bathroom and you’re leaving, etc.)</p>
<p>Other obvious things: Don’t leave bags out in the library unattended, don’t walk around alone at night with an iPhone/iPod/designer bag in plain view, lock your bike to a secure place, don’t leave CDs/GPS units out in your car…Tings that may seem obvious to most people, but I guess things people from small towns don’t really think twice about!</p>
<p>The worst thing that happened to me in my four years at USC was that my bike was stolen freshman year. It was my fault because I locked it to itself and not to a rack. I learned my lesson and I had my next bike until I sold it after graduation!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>you’re right, i’m probably wrong in this regard. I’m not sure if the other %40 could afford USC. I was also going based on an article where i read that USC, if it tries to establish some village to rival The Grove or The Americana, that only 40% of its students would be able to afford it. But again, i’ll admit, i spoke too soon.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>there might be data to support this (albeit i don’t feel like looking it up) but i don’t think it’s too much of a stretch. I’ve met a few types of people at UCLA: upper middle class students who have high academics but wanted to come to los angeles; UMC students who got into top universities yet couldn’t afford them; young students who come to UCLA (anywhere from 10-16; these students are usually comprised of people who live in nearby areas yet can’t move because their parents) and poor students who get full tuition at UCLA and are very intelligent.</p>
<p>i’ve met VERY few students who i don’t think deserve, or really want, to be at UCLA. However, the vast majority does. This isn’t to say that there aren’t rich people who go here (al pachino’s daughter goes/went here as did james franco, and others) but i highly doubt that it’s the vast majority. </p>
<p>Again, this is only speculation and anecdotal evidence, so take it with a grain of salt ;)</p>
<p>Thanks Zelda! I will be sure to show my son this thread.</p>
<p>Good grief who cares what % of the student body could afford tuition? Students are going to have to get along in life with those dreaded “rich people” from time to time…so maybe USC’s a great place to begin to understand how they all think and act. (I’m pretty sure they all act alike, right?) </p>
<p>LOL</p>