<p>I Read them all and it seems like many are dissatisfied with their experience at usc. And I'm going there this fall. I was a little bit discouraged :(</p>
<p>what do you thing?</p>
<p>You know, i remember seeing this site a couple of months ago, and it kinda turned me off at first. I mean, it almost made me think about not going to USC. Even so, i still chose USC over Berkeley, but this website was always in the back of my mind. However, when i see this site again, i noticed 2 things: a majority of the negative comments are from Marshall students, and those that gave the biggest citicisms against USC consider themselves "Quite bright" or "brilliant." I know that not all of the negative comments are from Business students, and some are from the other schools, but a high number of them are from Marshall. Believe me, this doesn't surprise me because Marshall does have the dubious honor of being considered the GPA killer at USC, so it makes since that some students would vent their anger at Marshall by hating USC. This isn't to say Marshall is a terrible school; it is just really tough to maintain a very high GPA. And don't forget that those who labeled themselves as "Quite bright" or "brilliant" were obviously pushing themselves into believing that they would recieve an Ivy League-like education. If you are vain enough to believe that you are brilliant, then you are also ignorant because you obviously thought that USC academics were some of the best in the country. If you are from the West coast, you would know that USC is not well-known for it's academics; that distinction belongs to Stanford and Caltech. This isn't to say that USC has terrible academics at all; they just aren't up to the caliber of those two other schools. I personally am not expecting to recieve "incredible academics that are the best in the country"; I'm going to USC because I want to have an experience. College is more than just academics; it's about learning about yourself and testing your limits, and expanding your horizons. I truly believe USC will offer that to me, so whatever negative comments i hear about USC, they are probably from people that are simply expecting too much.</p>
<p>Look, I have yet to attend USC, and I will be a grad student, but I think I could offer some insight as a recent graduate. I attended a mid rate school, University of Delaware. In my time there, a girl was raped, killed, and set on fire. A baseball player broke his neck and died falling out of a truck, three others lost their careers by being hit on the sidewalk by a drunk driver. A friend of my girlfriend was abducted, raped. Girls have been drugged, people beaten with tire irons, robbed etc.... This was at a stereotypical small town on the east coast with that kind of crime, it happens everywhere.... but I loved my time at UDel. It is fun if you embody the whole undergrad experience at any place. Since I decided on going to grad school, I have found that people who do very well in school are also the fastest to blame others when they do not achieve. I mean no offense to anyone, but in normal classes at Delaware, people tended to accept their grades and that being a result of their efforts good or bad. In the upper level honors courses, a majority would whine about the workload, blame the professor for bad results on tests, and even one girl cried on three different occassions in the same class. She was a senior. To the quality, as a reference, I am from the east coast. When you say USC, people think South Carolina. I wanted to attend public policy grad school, so I asked people in the know where would be a good place for me. Southern Cal came up time and again. No mention of UCLA or any other school in CA besides Berkeley. I chose USC over U. of Chicago, so the reputation among those who know something is there, even in tiny little Delaware. I have no bone to pick with any other schools like it seems when I see USC bashing, but keep in mind, the student review lists Bryn Mawr college (are you serious?) and Bob Jones as schools to aspire to. That says enough to me.</p>
<p>ya, i saw that website a long time ago. </p>
<p>ill post a more detailed response when i have more time though.</p>
<p>USC has 183,000 alumni and 32,000 current students. How many are on the website?</p>
<p>1) Every school is going to have negative comments.
2) The majority of people who are going to post comments on a website about their school are extremes: they either hate it or love it and are passionate about conveying their thoughts. This doesn't represent the entire student body.
3) This is just a very small portion of USC's students and alumni.
4) I have NEVER found a school with as many students in love with their college as USC. Seriously. I toured probably 30 schools, and I have friends at many others, and while there are those that love their schools, I always find a lot of discontent too. At USC, students just seem to have a love affair with their school. People love it, and I have never seen anything like it. That's not to say that there aren't unhappy people, of course there are, but they just seem to be more rare. I have to admit that I don't know a single person at school that doesn't like it (the closest I found was one girl who wasn't unhappy but wasn't overly enthused). </p>
<p>To sum up, don't judge USC by that website. I remember being nervous by it too when I was going into my freshman year. Just go into it with an open mind in two weeks, and you'll form your own opinions.</p>
<p>i feel better :)</p>
<p>I echo USChika's comment about never seeing so many student in love with their alma mater. Sure, Michigan will rank higher on a school spirit list because they fill the Big House more than we fill the Coliseum, so if you want to measure it that way, then go ahead. But as far as the sheer number of students who are genuinely passionate about their school, I doubt anyone coudl beat USC.</p>
<p>Just look at the reaction someone gets if they talk trash on this board. :D And MrTrojanMan, myself, and most of the others on the USC board here are Marshall students. </p>
<p>Obviously USC, like any school, has its shortcomings and not every student you meet will be enthralled. However, when you see little factoids like alumni giving that is on par with the cash-soaked ivies, or that it holds the record for the most successful capital drive campaign, or look at the sheer size and number of alumni clubs (since people choose to remain an active part of the Trojan Family instead of just moving on), you know something special is going on here.</p>
<p>First off, let me say that you shouldn't take too seriously ANYTHING on a message board. It's just one source of information. Having now discredited myself -lol- let me say the following about USC.</p>
<p>As far as academics, USC is an absolutely fine school. In some areas it is outstanding. IMO the only area the school may be average is in some of the liberal arts. Most any of their professional schools -business, law, medicine, architecture, communications, dentistry, film, among others, are absolutely first rate.</p>
<p>The school is never stagnant and is always making tremendous strides to upgrade in every facet from the hiring of professors to new buildings etc. I think USC's only weakness is a need for more housing and they are actively working to improve that, with new projects on the horizon.</p>
<p>It is physically as pretty a college campus as you will find. Things are never in disrepair. The place is a "class act".</p>
<p>The alumni network, especially in Southern California cannot be beat. Alums are amazingly loyal and supportive of the school and its graduates in the job market. </p>
<p>As far as sports, there is NO school that can claim a superiority. I believe the Trojans have some part of 11 national football championships, 12 baseball championships (the next school has, I believe 6) and titles in just about everything from tennis to swimming to track. The tradition is amazing and will only grow now that the new Galen Center for basketball, volleyball, concerts etc. is being built. It creates a school spirit that is tough to beat.</p>
<p>USC has always had a cheer that says "WE ARE SC". I think the message there is that Trojans know who they are, what their school stands for and don't really care who the other guy is or what they think. The school also refers to itself as The University (as if there are no others). Some view this as an arrogance, I see it simply as pride.</p>
<p>USC has tremendous diversity and a niche for most anyone. there is a very good greek system if you're interested in that, many other types of organizations to join, etc. etc. It truly is the Trojan Family and when you go out into the work force, again, especially in SoCal, you'll know what it means. A huge number of professionals in the west -doctors, lawyers, architects, film industry- are Trojans. Most anywhere in the country they know the University of Southern California, if not around the world. The school has a large international student body. And that big white horse is pretty well recognized.</p>
<p>I really don't think you can go wrong with an SC education. most any school is what you make it and there is alot at SC for you to draw upon.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. fight on.</p>
<p>One of the other forums on CC (I believe College Search and Selection) has a thread bashing that very website. It has a very poor representation of many schools all based on some major whiners.</p>
<p>I ignore those reviews since they're mostly written by students who have come to hate their school and will do anything to spread the word about their so-called abuses.</p>
<p>Damn it. Now I'm seriously reconsidering about going to Marshall. It doesn't look too good...</p>
<p>I went through all of the Marshall reviews and they all seem to have horrible experiences with USC.</p>
<p>All I got was...</p>
<p>1) Selfish, mean, and biased professors.
2) Students that are self-centered and, unfriendly, and party a whole lot.
3) Grading curve looks like it will be a ***** to get into graduate school.
4) Doesn't seem to be much of an intellectual environment to study in.</p>
<p>I'm going to reconsider UCLA if this is truly the case.</p>
<p>Take a look at Harvard's UG comments: <a href="http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/HU_comments.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/HU_comments.html</a>. Not too flattering for what many consider the best university in the world right? Here are some comments:</p>
<p>"Professors will surely devote about 0% of their time to you. In fact, my contact with professors had to be the most disappointing aspect of my experience, as I rarely had any and when I tried, I found the professors, especially in the sciences very unapproachable and not very helpful."</p>
<p>"Also, none of the classes was really good. I majored in government, and everything was huge lectures, with no facutly contact, and not very interesting or conducive to learning."</p>
<ul>
<li>Isn't Harvard supposed to offer the best education in the world with the best of the best professors?<br></li>
</ul>
<p>The problem with studentsreview.com is that only the students with extreme opinions of the school will actually take to find the site, fill out everything, and post. It doesn't give you a consistent view of the school, rather it gives you a very polarized view. </p>
<p>As for the USC comments, I'm really not that surprised. I really think it's a school you'll either love or hate. If you come in with negative feelings towards the school there are many factors that will compound those negative feelings like the aesthetics of the surrounding area and the negative stereotypes that add fuel to the fire. </p>
<p>Also I think there's a great deal of ignorance in the reviews. A lot of the people with negative comments are Marshall alums. They cite the fact that the lower level courses are in large lecture halls. Although that is a problem at many schools, that SURELY isn't unique to Marshall. Take any top business school and you'll find the same situation.</p>
<p>It's easy to write off SC, since they haven't had the long history of academic "prestige" like other schools. Go to Ivies and you'll find the same size classes at SC. People believe the grass always greener on the other side, and the product of those feelings are what you find on studentreview.com</p>
<p>You can't tell me that the school can be represented by a few nay-sayers. SC has one of the strongest and most enthusiastic alumni bases in the nation, I'm willing to bet that they have very different opinions of the school.</p>
<p>well the only way to counter the problem is to mass post positives about university, just get a ton people to write positive reviews and it will balance out the negatives... (if it really matters that much)</p>
<p>I'm planning on being an undergraduate business student and I think that most of the negative reviews on that site are biased. Probably the only thing you should really be concerned about is the grading curve which seems to be a HUGE pain in the ass...unless you plan on studying more than the average student, avoiding procrastination, and reading your textbooks.</p>
<p>To be honest, I am a intimidated by that curve because it is definitely a piece of **** curve to begin with, but I suppose if you're willing to sacrifice not going to parties and being a person who studies a lot, it probably won't be that big of a deal.</p>
<p>it shouldn’t….always remember that negative people have more time to be just that, negative</p>
<p>most people who consider themselves fairly on the other side, don’t need to justify someone’s negativity unless its wrong in some way</p>
<p>wow they are so harsh!
it would really make someone feel really bad about going there.
i think it's just all the bitter students complaining.</p>
<p>Anyone can write a review. You can write one right now and no one will know you wrote one. Someone (USCHICKA maybe?) go ahead and try, and show us. In fact if you change the wording, you can write several reviews. If you are from UCLA you can write a USC review if you know something about the school just to get back. </p>
<p>That said, perhaps there is something about Marshall that USC should look into. Maybe this curve should be changed.</p>
<p>Negative critics will always exist. I guarantee the vast majority of USC students love their school and are having/had a great experience. Look at this review i found on the same site from an alum who is a VP of Merriman:</p>
<p>University : University of Southern California ( 1989 )
Major : Communications
Still in Field? :Yes
Effort Level : 2/5 (Puts in Average Effort)
Gender : Male </p>
<p>Jobs held since college:
1. Sales
2. Sales / Nordstrom
3. Manager / Nordstrom
4. Broker / Schwab
5. Vp / Merriman</p>
<p>Comment:
"
I read several critical reviews of U.S.C. on this site, as well as several posts bashing the Greek system at U.S.C. and all I can say is sour grapes ! Many of these same people also criticized the weather, the neighborhood, and Los Angeles in general (see a pattern ?) clearly these people were a bad fit looking to blame any and everything except themselves. </p>
<p>I loved the school, I was part of the Greek system, and I thought the entire experience was fantastic. In reading some of the things people critical of the school and the Greek system have written all I can say is that people who post these types of comments are disaffected losers and would feel out of place anywhere, not just at 'SC. It's not a bible college in Eastern Texas and nothing against schools like that but if you don't belong you don't belong, don't blame the school because you chose poorly.</p>
<p>Greek life is a choice and granted it isn't for everyone, but there were lots of clubs and organizations at school that I didn't join, that doesn't mean I begrudge their right to exist or feel the need to criticize them. I went to the school knowing about 3 people, none of them well, I came out with a group of tight buddies who 15 years later I still talk to or e-mail with weekly, several of whom were in my wedding. Did we drink and party ? Yes we did, to me that is part of college and growing up. We had fun, if you want an apology for that I don't have one to give you.</p>
<p>True story: One summer during school I was looking for a job and met a guy during a career night at my fraternity who was president of an ad agency based in the Mid-Wilshire section of L.A. I asked him for an interview and he agreed. When we met his first question was "so what part of the ad business interests you ?" I gulped, there were different parts ? He laughed and we chatted for awhile, at the end he indicated I should make an appointment to meet the V.P of the agency which I did. I came back a week later and met with the V.P. and as we began to talk one of the first things the he asked me was how I knew the President ? I replied "same college, same fraternity" whereupon the VP reached across his desk, gave me our fraternities secret hand shake, and hired me on the spot. He too was an alum both of 'SC and the same fraternity.</p>
<p>To me that is the power of an 'SC education that you just don't get at other schools and people from other schools just don't get. Sure secret fraternity handshakes might sound silly, I grant anyone that, but the connection that underlies them is not, and as for the silliness, well I laughed all the way to the bank that summer.</p>
<p>Yes, the school is in a rough area, if that bothers you don't go.</p>
<p>I loved the 'SC experience and it has been invaluable in my career, as have the lifelong friendships I developed as a member of the Greek system. That isn't to say my way is the only way, but if you are an outgoing, social person who isn't afraid of a big urban environment this is a great school with huge upside potential for any grad. </p>
<p>another alum review from a VP of sales:</p>
<p>University : University of Southern California ( 1997 )
Major : Political Science
Still in Field? :Yes
Effort Level : 4/5 (Worked Hard)
Gender : Male </p>
<p>Jobs held since college:
1. Investment Banker
2. Investment Banker
3. Business Manager
4. VP Of Sales</p>
<p>Comment:
"
USC is a top level university, but the family quality or element to it can't be purchased at any price. </p>
<p>Lastly, we all know that the college "experience" is what you make of it. Some choose not to take advantage of what is given to them and I think it is these very people making these cynical reviews. Bastards...</p>
<p>Come on now. Even the best schools will be complained about, let alone USC. You can go to the Student Reviews at Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Berkeley, Brown, Carnegie Mellon etc and find negative and dissatisfied reviews. Does that mean those schools are just terrible and worrisome, because some people out of very many alumni felt strongly enough to b**ch about it on the internet? Uh, no.</p>
<p>So don't get all freaked out about the "bad reviews" of USC by a very few (respective to total alumni). There are unhappy and unsatisfied alumni from every school, from the top Ivies to fairly ranked unis like USC to the lowest-ranked public universities. </p>
<p>You chose USC for a reason, and that was hopefully because you knew it was respected and you could get a good education there. So who's to persuade you differently? Some anonymous, unhappy fellows on the internet who didn't like the frat boys or noisy neighbors? Give me a break. Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>I've seen that site before too. I was of the impression that a lot of those reviews were not written by SC students, but by UCLA students who faked the email address. </p>
<p>Just saying.</p>