Hello everyone,
Recently I got accepted into USD with a decent amount of financial aid and scholarship. After doing some surface level research and a campus tour both my parents and I were really excited to about me attending USD.
However after doing some more digging I realized that I do have some second thoughts. I knew that the school isn’t THAT ethnically diverse but I started reading more and more reviews about the “snobby, fake, rich white kids”. Being an slighty introverted asian from a slighty above average social eco status this really deters me from coming here.
I have no problem with being a minority nor do I have a problem with anyone being rich, and I am more than happy to make friends with anyone. But are the student at this school really that unfriendly and arrogant as people say they are ?
Thanks to anyone who replies
I’m actually in a similar situation to you. School spirit and social atmosphere are important to me, and I am having a hard time committing to USD as well after reading online student reviews. I am also asian from a slighty above average social eco status, but I am not particularly worried about being a minority on campus. I am currently at a private high school, where asians are a minority, but I had no problem finding people who I fit in with (and I am also a bit timid at first). As for the “snobby, fake, rich, white kids” stereotype, it is true that there are a lot of students there who come from wealthier families, but that doesn’t make them necessarily unfriendly or judgmental; also, a large percentage of the students who attend have to receive financial aid to make it affordable. When I visited, the students and faculty I met were very friendly and welcoming (It can’t compare to the friendly atmosphere I felt at UCD, but the people were still kind). I think that despite being a minority, you will find your niche eventually at whatever college you choose to attend.
One of my teachers who graduated from USD said that the students are amicable and the teachers are eager to teach/help students out. He only had good things to say about his experience.
I hope this helps! Also, what are you planning on majoring in? 
This is something my DD was hesitant about as well. It plays a huge role in her selection. I did point out to her that when taking a closer look USD is actually more diverse than most think. There are about 56% white students and the rest make up everything else. If you look at most colleges there is usually a higher percentage of whites vs everyone else.
Yes there may be snobs but this will be the reality wherever you go. There is always that small percentage of those who believe they are the king and queens of the world. If USD fits your major and will provide the whole environment you need then do not hesitate to attend. You will find those you mesh with and the others simply won’t matter.
USD will provide the courses, professor interaction, and smaller environment my DD is looking for. And a huge BONUS of a beautiful campus setting in San Diego. She knows that she can deal with whatever snobbery comes her way. She is on a mission to be the best she can be and will not let anything get in her way of an excellent education.
Schools like USD want diversity but when minorities don’t attend after acceptance it makes it hard for them to achieve that goal. Be a Changemaker!
Have any of you posters visited USD? We are flying in from the midwest for the admitted student day this Saturday and can hardly wait to take a look at school and potential classmates. Would love to hear impressions…though I suppose we can wait two more days. Any info?
We are from the midwest and visited over Spring Break. At the time our DD was set on SDSU but when she visited USD all that changed. It is absolutely amazing! As crazy as it sounds, stop random students and talk to them. That really helped! Have fun!
I will be majoring in psychology which is one of the more popular majors at USD. I really that that is the case. Again I am 100% fine with rich individuals, Im just hoping they arent the snobby kind. I understand that there will definitely be those who rub their wealth in others faces but I will try and look for the many others who dont. The minority thing might take some time getting used to since I come from a high school thats 70% asian 
I have visited on a campus tour before. Amazing campus we can all agree on that. I will also be attending this saturdays student day, hope to meet some potential friends as well !
Hope you guys have a good flight. Welcome to California!
To assist with answering the original post in this tread, I highly recommend attending an Accepted Student Day event at USD for several reasons.
- You will get to meet a number of current students, their friends, roommates, classmates during your visit.This will allow you, as a potential student, or as a parent, to get to interact with a wide range of students from across the country and internationally as well. You will also notice that the old perception of USD being only well to do, white student body is very much incorrect.
- For Parents: The suggestion to introduce yourself and ask questions of current students while your student is taking part in the Accepted Student Day Events is a near perfect way to get unfiltered answers to your questions. I did this when my daughter was looking at schools, after introducing myself as an Admitted Student Day Parent, USD students were very excited to provide honest answers. I still remember the top things they liked: Professors taught from Day One, they liked their class sizes, which allowed them to interact with their professors (on the down side, one student told me that having smaller classes also ran the risk of having the professor notice you slept in or missed a class , again expect to get honest answers, and of course, going to school in San Diego and a college ranked as one of the most beautiful in the country is not a bad way to start your day.
Enjoy the process and where ever you or your student ends up, be it USD or else where: “grow where you are planted”.
I am a current student at USD, and can tell you unequivocally that the online reviews are not true. Yes, that population exists, as I’m sure it does at every expensive private school, but it isn’t the majority. On campus, USD students are known for being friendly, welcoming, and kind. There are many multicultural organizations on campus and the university makes a genuine effort to support them and make sure all students feel at home.
If you like USD otherwise and feel that the aid package is a good fit for you, go for it. I would highly recommend attending an admitted study day if you still can. If you have specific questions, please feel free to PM me or post here!
I flew in last night for the accepted students day today from the East Coast, visited Furman’s accepted students day yesterday but I’m hoping USD will be the one…also looking to major in psych
Wow! What a campus! We loved everything we saw and heard today at the huge event. Talking to individual students was a great way to find out about special opportunities and get a better picture of USD.
The visit day was absolutely amazing. Talking to the alumni and current students really took away the pressure that I had while typing this post. I think I’m going to commit very soon. Thanks everyone for your help !
JKpanda:
My daughter is a current USD tour guide, she called yesterday and, other than being a bit tired from a very busy Saturday, she was very excited about all the positive interactions she had with some of the 2,500 Admitted Student Day attendees, (Students and Family members combined). I am glad to hear that having various conversations with current students and alumni was useful in your evaluation, Thank you for starting this tread, I hope others that read the various posts on this tread took the time to have those types of conversations as well. Best of luck where ever you decide to go. (But I think you will LOVE USD
I committed to USD, the Accepted Students day, campus, interactions with professors, current and potential students was beyond what I could have expected.
AXA STRG:
Congratulations on becoming one of the newest members of the Torero community. Glad to hear that all the effort that the USD team undertook was of value during your recent visit. If you don’t mind saying, where are you from?