<p>The parents’ regarding USC as a safety might be due to outdated information as USC’s academic reputation was that of a college for well-off slackers in ways as little as 2 decades ago. </p>
<p>While USC’s current reputation is that of a well-respected academic institution, this reputation had only been fostered over the last 10-14 years. Before then, it was known as an expensive school for well-off slackers…a reason why it had unflattering nicknames like “University of Spoiled Children”. Incidentally, that nickname is one Senator John S. McCain loves to use to jokingly get a rise out of his current wife Cindy McCain who is a USC alum. </p>