<p>hey everyone im thinking of applying this year but i have a few questions and i was just wondering if you guys knew some of these things...</p>
<p>*im from new england, pretty down to earth, i love my clogs and birks, no makeup and sweatpants to class... you know what imean. ive heard usc is very much the opposite of this... is this true?</p>
<p>*also, are frats/sororities huge? is this a jock/cheerleader school?
humn... any comments about general student life would be awesome too, thanks so much!</p>
<p>I can safely say that I haven't worn any makeup yet on campus. But then again, I'm in Dean's Hall. It really depends on who you hang out with and what you want to do. The greek scene is only big if you want it to be.</p>
<p>Many of us will tell you that USC is a big school, and there will be people like those you describe. But there will always be people who aren't like the stereotypes out there. What's the percentage of people who go Greek? It's not a very big number. You'll find people you'll like at USC.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman at USC, and this is what I have to say:</p>
<p>For your first question, it is true that even in your 8:00 classes you will find many girls decked out in the latest fashions (and many guys too...you'd be surprised). However, all these "LA" kids, for the most part, only look the part. The majority are very down to earth once you meet them. And even then, I would say that the large majority of the kids here are not into that scene. For every Chanel-sunglass wearing girl, or Diesel jeans wearing guy, you'll find, I promise you there are several other kids who also rolled in in sweatpants. There seems to be thriving subcultures for just about every scene you could possibly be into, and I really do mean that.</p>
<p>Second, frats have a huge presence but low numbers. I believe about 20% of students here are involved in Greek life, so for every greek kid there will be four who don't participate. And even with that number, only a portion of those are actually in the houses on the row, and the rest are the multicultural fraternities or service frats who don't have houses, etc. Additionally, not every frat is "fratty". There are a handful of top tier houses for boys, and about three houses that are traditionally the top sororities. While all these kids are very smart and usually much more laid back and nice then people give them credit for, those kids are the ones you are gonna think of when you typically think of the word frat. Once you get past those, there are many many houses that suit other types of personalities (18 guys, 9 girls, with two more frats, I believe, that get off their suspension and can return to the Row next year). There is even a very Christian frat on the row that does not throw parties with alcohol. So even if you don't want to join a frat based on the stereotypes, I'd rush anyways just to make sure. But even if you decide you absolutely hate Greek life, it is very easy to ignore. Frat Row is a couple blocks off of the main campus, so just don't go there and you'll never even know they exist. Many of my friends chose not to rush and are very socially busy on campus with everything from the surf club to house parties to watching the symphony to working out, etc. There are so many options that aren't Greek.</p>
<p>My son is into progressive political/religious action at USC. He is normally dressed in shorts, clogs, and the U of Wisconsin t-shirts I periodically send him so he will wear something without holes.</p>
<p>I'm a New England girl myself; I consider myself to be down to earth, and dress about the way the OP described. I have made many friends here in my first semester. </p>
<p>If you wanted to be involved in Greek life you could be, but there are definitely a lot of things to do that do not involve the Greek system, I'm involved in building government. If you're concerned about not having anything to do on the weekends you should remember that Los Angeles is one of the largest cities in the world, there will always be something to do.</p>
<p>Most of the people I've met here are very down to earth, a lot like you would meet anywhere. I enjoy the company of the people I hang around with. You'll meet people you don't like, but that's something that would happen anywhere. </p>
<p>If you're concerned about being accepted, don't be. You'll be accepted whatever you're wearing, whatever your political ideaologies are, whatever your major is, whatever other differences you can think of. I, personally have loved my experience here so far.</p>