<p>One of the many reasons I wanted to go to college in CA (hence the username) is that I feel like people are so much more relaxed and laid back there. I lived in Northern Cal (Bay Area) for two years during 4th and 5th grade, and I was instantly in love.
But more recently, as I'm anxiously waiting for acceptances (USC being my first one, but not [yet] my first choice), I'm feeling more and more inclined to send that USC deposit and sign on the line.
I know that it is true East Coast people tend to be more cold towards everyone, and recent time spent on the boards of the other colleges I've applied to only proves my point (mainly Penn, which is (was?) at the top of my RD list). Everyone seems so much more viscious and eager to attack those who do not think like them, and by everyone I mean all the people who live in NY since I gave my opinion of not liking NYU. This was never the case on Stanford or USC boards, and although not everyone on these boards are from California, I feel like it says a lot about the school and the types of people they attract.
Does anyone else feel this way too? I feel like we are so much more chill and friendly and willing to support each other rather than knock each other down.</p>
<p>If you say you've been to the east coast, then I guess you've never been to the South/Southern East Cost-- definitely HANDS DOWN the nicest people in the country</p>
<p>haha well yes, I know the South tend to be very welcoming and nice...
but I've never had a chance to go there except for the occasional trip to vacation in Florida.</p>
<p>but hey...
I guess USC gets the best of both worlds... south and west :)</p>
<p>If you even do find yourself headed south, then try South Carolina and Georgia...probably two of the better southern states</p>
<p>i've lived in Southern California almost all of my life, so maybe i'm biased...but i think one of the best parts for me is that in my experience, because of the huge diversity of people, people are very tolerant of each other...their races, views, etc. so many different ideas, whether it be from culture or politics or anything in between, at the very least coexist in peace, and more often than not these different people interact and share their own experiences. so i guess you could say that in that way, it's more "relaxed." i know maybe i'm painting an idealized picture of the region, but i really believe it's true at least to some degree.</p>
<p>i kinda had the same expirence when i went Penn for an interview. I drove down to Penn and when i ment the admissions person i was interviewing with and i said that i was from syracuse (which is about 4 hours away) the first thing they said was "Wow, you really drove here all the way from syracuse for this interview" not the greatest way to welcome some one to your school. but anyway, for the most part i think that it is true that people on the west coast are more friendly than those on the east. maybe its the weather, wouldnt you be ****ed all the time if you were buried in over 9ft of snow. although it was nice only going to school twice this week.</p>
<p>I think NorCal just has amazing people (as you've experienced), but people in SoCal are very friendly as well. :)</p>
<p>Even though I love CA and been here all my life, I think it is a little harsh to stereotype. If you came on these USC boards with a the name TakemetoNY, you might get some rude Californians. You are going to get every type of person anywhere you go. It's how you deal with it that will make the difference. I deal with nice and rude Californians every day. Don't get me wrong, I would never live anywhere else, except...</p>
<p>If someone gets in to an Ivy League school (like Penn) and doesn't go, no matter where it is, I will never understand that.</p>
<p>It seems to me that the either the kind of student who applies to USC or the kind they seem to accept (take your choice) is quite outgoing and nice indeed (not just CA). When I am on campus, all the students seem happy and I always enjoy being there. The parents I also found to be a good bunch, lots of diverse backgrounds, but a common "family" and very friendly. I thought it was corny at first, but it really is rings true about the Trojan Family. Its also fun to walk around USC and see all the Logo clothing. What great School spirit!</p>
<p>I have a friend who lived about an hour from Davis and another who lived in Orange County, both for most of their lives. The girl who lived in NorCal said the people there are way more laid back than on the East coast, and the weather and beaches are beautiful. The kid from Orange County had less positive things to say...he still said CA/SoCal was the best place in the world, but he said peopel are people pretty much wherever. In Orange County he said there were a lot of people who cared how rich they are. So I'm inclined to say, from their opinions and what I've heard, that the "laid back" reputation of Cali probably comes more from NorCal than from fast-paced, entertainment-oriented Los Angeles, haha. </p>
<p>I pretty much think you can't call any entire state "laid back". I think in general less rich, more rural places will feel more "laid back" and maybe that's why NYC (one of the wealthiest cities in the world) felt snotty/mean to you. I don't think you're going to find that the people in LA are any nicer. But the weather will definitely own, if you don't care so much about air quality :D.</p>
<p>Also I think you will generally find less intense people at less academically intense/prestige-oriented schools. It's the type of people they attract and how you have to act to stay on top of the game. If you are a party/football/sunshine/beach type person, I bet you will have way more fun at USC than at Penn. Haha.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If someone gets in to an Ivy League school (like Penn) and doesn't go, no matter where it is, I will never understand that.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>...Money? LOL. I hate it when people say stupid stuff like that. If you go to an Ivy League school or you go to a state school, chances are you will end up with the same success. Education is what you make of it, not how much you pay for it.</p>
<p>Being from NorCal, I haven't found myself to be particularly fond of LA as a city. Maybe it'll grow on me.</p>
<p>In any case, my personal favorite group of friendly people are the Swedes - I lived there for a few months and I had a great time.</p>
<p>usc is hands down the friendliest campus i've ever visited. if you want proof, go there and talk to any stranger and they'll be more than happy to have a conversation and answer any of your questions. it's what i've done many many times :)</p>
<p>^ my first on-campus usc experience: walking around, map in hand, a student approached me and asked me what building i was looking for. she gave me detailed directions and was like "oh you have an interview? dont be nervous, i got in and i didnt even have an interview!"</p>
<p>it's the weather :)</p>
<p>haha.</p>
<p>yea. me+usc+novemeber=85 degrees. seriously it was kind of traumatic. i dont even own clothing for that type of weather</p>
<p>I live in the South and though people here are indeed nice, they are extremely close-minded... from personal experience though I like "california people" better. I've lived there and just felt it more welcoming, embracing and a "better fit" for me.</p>
<p>From experiences here in the south, people once they're nice to you and say "hi" or w/e, they basically want you to go completely about your business and leave them alone. I got many more "offers" of hanging out or meeting new people during my time in caliornia...</p>
<p>wow this is all great to hear...</p>
<p>yeah one of the reasons I might choose USC over an IVY would be the money.. my mom pretty much has USC at the top of her list right now because I got the National Merit Presidential. I'm glad it's not such a cut-throat environment...
and I definitely love the beach, parties, and school spirit :) oh and of course, one of the main factors why I applied - LA</p>
<p>USC has very similar costs as Ivies- I did a cost comparison between USC, Harvard, and UPenn (tuition, room & board, books, other). They were all $46-47,000 per year.<br>
<a href="http://www.ohiocan.org/collegecost/ComparisonReport.aspx?a=616&b=330&c=552%5B/url%5D">http://www.ohiocan.org/collegecost/ComparisonReport.aspx?a=616&b=330&c=552</a></p>
<p>Groovinhard and takeme2cali- What do you mean "money" might be a reason to choose USC over an IVY? Maybe you are talking about scholarships?</p>
<p>yes merit scholarships, and since IVYs don't give out merit scholarships, and I wouldn't qualify for need-based financial aid, USC would be cheaper for me.</p>
<p>Personally, I don't see why anyone would really want to go to an Ivy other than to pursue something like law or english or political science...maybe this is just me, and since I want to study something the Ivies can't really offer, it would make sense not to go to an Ivy</p>