New Admits, Ask Me Your Questions!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>Many of you know me. I'm a current USC sophomore and I've been on this board for about 2 and a half years. However, I chose to sit out this application season because my sister (yes, she is natinthehat) was an applicant and the only way I could curb my nerves was to avoid this board. </p>

<p>However, now that she's in (YAY!), I'm back and here to answer any questions you may have about orientation, registration, classes, dorms, etc. There are just a few things I will not answer: </p>

<ol>
<li>anything about Greek life other than the dates of recruitment; or</li>
<li>questions about specific professors (mostly because I've only had so many in my time at SC) </li>
</ol>

<p>But otherwise, I'm here to help you with the new admit stuff. Or whatever. Really, I'm just psyched to welcome you all to the Trojan Family! </p>

<p>Welcome and Fight On!</p>

2

<p>Do you happen to know by any chance when transfer students can expect to hear back from admissions. The site says they will decide by June 1st, but when do they start sending letters out? Thanks</p>

3

<p>Good to see you return to the SC forum…</p>

<p>Victoria,
What impressions/opportunities have made your time at SC a positive experience?</p>

4

<p>Natinthehat
presented her stats
while sis Vicky sat
we now give our con-grats
to new Trojan Nat
We’re glad Vicky’s back up to bat</p>

<p>Hooray!</p>

5

<p>agiatezza2: unfortunately, I do believe that June 1 is a decent guideline. I remember a friend of mine getting her transfer acceptance a few days after June 1. Just like freshman admissions, though, the dates do vary. However, it’ll be roughly around June 1. </p>

<p>Georgia Girl: It’s great to be back!
Hmm…so many things. I’ve met so many people–older, younger–who’ve helped me find so many great opportunities. I’ve taken classes in at least 11 different departments, which is partially thanks to the GE program. Not only does USC make it easy to double major or major/minor, they outright encourage it! I am an Art History major with a minor in Entrepreneurship, which also led me to apply for the distinction of Renaissance Scholar (awarded to graduating seniors with a major/major or major/minor combination encompassing two highly diverse fields). If I wanted to, studying abroad would be a breeze (ok, admittedly, I do want to, but I’m too busy with campus activities to get away!).
To top it all off, being a member of the Trojan Family is an experience unmatched by any other school. My mom, a Bruin (ok, she admits she’s a reformed Bruin!), acknowledges that the USC connection is such a unique thing. Everyone who ever went to USC is so happy to meet new and current USC students. When my sister got in yesterday, it became the talk of my classes. Everyone congratulated her with no knowledge of who she is–just the fact that she got accepted made everyone thrilled for her!</p>

<p>To throw another similar anecdote out there: Natalie will be Trojan #9 in our family (and a 4th-generation Trojan, to boot!). My father took Spanish in his second semester and befriended two highly confused guys. They all studied at one of the guys’ homes. My dad met his younger sister…the rest is history! My uncle and my dad are old college buddies (both of whom are still active in the USC community) and the third guy is a USC professor (still a close family friend). His daughter and I started at USC the same year. In other words, USC is more than just 4 years. It’s a lifelong bond! </p>

<p>alamemom: You’re quite the poet! And I’m certain you know it. :D</p>

6

<p>I’ve heard some rumors about the surrounding city area outside of campus and it being a little on the sketchy side. Can you tell me more about it, and whether this is true or not? Thanks so much!</p>

7

<p>Sorange: Sure! Ok, well, before I started at USC, I was pretty sure that I had reason to be nervous about the surrounding neighborhood. Fortunately, though, the areas immediately around campus (i.e. where students live, shop, and hang out) are very secure. </p>

<p>Here are some tips I have to avoid the bad places:

  1. Always use a GPS or google maps before you go out.
  2. At night, NEVER walk alone! Walk in a group (more than two people) or (ideally) take a car/campus cruiser/tram (but please, if you must drink, have a designated driver).
  3. Don’t go too far south or east of campus. I once took an unintentional driving tour pretty far southeast of campus. THAT’S the bad neighborhood. It was scaaaary!
  4. Use common sense. You’re in an urban area. Don’t forget that. </p>

<p>In general, though, I find campus and the surrounding area (extending down to The Row) very well-protected. Every time I see a DPS guy in a yellow jacket, I feel fine about it.</p>

8

<p>Is it a good idea to bring a car our first year?</p>

9

<p>How easy is it, do you think, to double major in International Relations and Biology/Biological sciences?</p>

10

<p>sushisally: I’m torn. Getting parking on campus should be a breeze, but honestly, at first (especially during football season!), you won’t have a ton of free time to get off campus. You’ll be too busy doing things with friends on campus (like getting Ground Zero milkshakes at midnight), so going off-campus won’t be as important to you…yet. </p>

<p>I think I’d advise you to see how much you need it after first semester and, if it seems like something you really need, purchase a parking permit for second semester. </p>

<p>princehorizon: That depends on a lot of factors. First, are you thinking about the BS or the BA in Biology? The BA requires fewer units, but that alone is not a reason to take the BA over the BS. It’s a personal decision based on your career goals. Second, is it important to you to get a number of classes outside Biology/IR? Because, if so, you may have to take summer classes or aim for more than 16 units per semester. </p>

<p>The BA in Biology requires 56 units, and the BA in International Relations requires 40 units. That’s 96 units right there (the equivalent of three years of study). Tack on GEs (either 4 or 5, depending on whether or not you have the equivalency for GE I), Writing (2 classes) and diversity (one class), and you have another 28-32 units, the equivalent of another year. Of course, you could always take 18 units or even 20 (note for everyone: anyone with a major/major or major/minor who maintains at least a 3.75 GPA can apply to receive 2 free units, allowing that person to take 20 units for the price of 18!).</p>

<p>Mathematically speaking, yes, it’s doable. And you could be totally fine with basically only taking those things! If you aren’t, though, it may be time to consider majoring in one and minoring in the other. Or taking summer classes.</p>

11

<p>My D got a transfer acceptance in late July. It was a Spring admit offer, so she started US. In January. Don’t freak if you don’t get a transfer acceptance earlier than late July–you may be a spring admit like our D. ;)</p>

12

<p>could you give a rundown of the different dorms/their reputations? there are plenty of threads on this, but i’d like to know if any of the reps have changed since birnkrant became the honors dorm. what’s the best place for someone who wants a good balance between partying and studying? thanks!</p>

13

<p>How preppy is USC?</p>

14

<p>How difficult is it to switch majors? We had no idea when kid applied that a major put down casually on the application would be taken so seriously.</p>

15

<p>How are the people there (are they warm and welcoming, or are they more cold and cliquey)? On a similar note, does USC have more of a collaborative or competitive atmosphere when it comes to academic performance?</p>

16

<p>I am a prospective freshman and intend to study business. I missed the December deadline for the Marshall school of business, but still applied to USC and got admitted to Dornsife econ/math major with an emphasis on pre-accounting.
Is there a big difference between my intended major in Dornsife and being in Marshall as a freshman? If so, what’s the difference?</p>

17

<p>Hi, I just want to know if there’s such a thing as FSH for spring admits? Thanks! (:</p>

18

<p>Dietcoke: New/North will always be the ultimate party dorm. Birnkrant is still pretty loud, but everyone in there is really studious. Marks and Trojan are a decent balance, IMO–at least, my friends were! The suites, though (Parkside and Fluor) are not as social…IN the dorms. But the people who live in the dorms still party, just other places. </p>

<p>I’d recommend Pardee, though, for the person who wants a balance. One of my HS friends lived there last year, and I always felt that it was a good place to study or socialize. </p>

<p>RM: Hmm, not very? USC is <em>very</em> California. </p>

<p>Parent46: Assuming you’re talking about switching into a Dornsife major, it’s a breeze. At orientation, the person at the check-in table will ask if you want to switch majors. If it’s something bigger (i.e. the new major requires a supplemental application), it might not be as easy, though. PM me and I’ll figure out whether you have a process or a piece of paper ahead of you. </p>

<p>Thatrunnerkid: It’s a mix. Every place has those cliquey people, but USC students are known for being really social/spirited/enthusiastic. The majority of people are awesome and friendly. And I’ve found it pretty collaborative; I can’t speak for SDA, Thornton or Viterbi, but Marshall, Dornsife, Annenberg, and SCA are supportive environments where everyone becomes close and wants to help each other. </p>

<p>saudade: The only thing I will say about Marshall is that they have the great GLP/LINC programs for freshmen. Otherwise, if you want to transfer to Marshall, you could use your first year to knock out some GEs and your econ requirement and transfer sophomore year. Or you could contact Marshall and find out the process for transferring before you even show up for orientation. </p>

<p>Sonata: Not sure. Definitely call the office and find out, because FSH is a sequential thing (everyone takes the same classes both semesters, and the fall classes are required for the spring classes), and you’d probably have to start in the fall of your 2nd year, which kind of defeats the purpose of FRESHMAN science honors. But I really don’t know, so please contact them! I definitely don’t want to steer you down the wrong road. :)</p>

19

<p>Our S enjoyed living in Pardee, particularly his Great Outdoors floor. Our D only lived in an upperclass dorm, Webb, which she also liked but it didn’t have many planned activities that frosh dorms did.</p>

20

<p>Which are the dorms where most freshmen stay and it’s easier to meet people/ make friends?
Thanks</p>