<p>Because USC is such a large school, I have no concerns about finding people like me. However, I'm worried that the social culture will be dominated by the outgoing, party-loving types...especially because I am very introverted.</p>
<p>If I went to USC, I also feel like I'd be squandering away the unique opportunities of this school, due to my unfitting personality. Case in point: I'm super low-key and can't imagine myself at a football game. Don't get me wrong; I'm pretty open-minded and I'll push myself to try new things in college. If need be, I can also turn myself "on" and be very sociable. But being "on" all the time is exhausting for an introvert! And I simply prefer quiet, meaningful conversation over large crowds and loud parties.</p>
<p>Also, I've visited campus twice--once over summer, and once for Explore USC--and on each visit, I noticed some segregation among the students themselves: the Greek scene is dominated by rich white kids, the library is filled with Asians and internationals, friends tend to be of similar ethnic background or socioeconomic status, etc.</p>
<p>To what extent are these observations true?</p>
<p>Will I feel stifled among such an outgoing student body?</p>
<p>Current USC freshman female here, and I share your exact sentiments!</p>
<p>Coming from a lower middle class family, I ended up choosing USC last year for the main reasons that they gave me insane financial aid and that it would have been closer to home than Berkeley (whose vibe I infinitely prefer(red)). Obviously I don’t have the money or attitude to join a sorority, and I am not going to lie, I have felt the cold sting of the frat gaze when being called a GDI or criticized by other girls.</p>
<p>I have been to few frat parties and didn’t find much to gain from the rampant hookup culture, especially because I am in a long distance relationship and am not looking for a husband here (unlike some girls you may meet, no matter where you go). Plus I’ve never been to a sports game yet and honestly it’s not a big deal/worth the money for a season pass because you can just buy the UCLA/USC game ticket on its own.</p>
<p>As with any school, there is a niche for you if you look for it. You are not always going to be surrounded by fratstars, that is, unless you spend your days and nights at The Row. I joined Women’s Student Association and KXSC Radio to situate myself with like-minded feminists and underground music lovers, and I freaking love it here. Without WSA I would have never met my fellow roommate for next year, and would have had to go random during the housing process.</p>
<p>It is true that the campus vibe seems cliquey. As long as you find those orgs that interest you, you will find cool people to hang with, and yes, some happen to be religious or cultural, but there is something here for everybody. Once you find your friend group, it will be a lot easier to have more intimate and meaningful hangouts/kickbacks rather than loud pointless frat parties (which I liken to a crowded watering hole/mating ground). I know I seem like I’m bashing the Greek system a lot but there are always some good apples in the bunch, so don’t jump to conclusions all the time.</p>
<p>Hi danaerys - thank you so much for sharing your sincere thoughts with me. That was exactly the kind of response I was looking for. Have you ever regretted your decision to attend USC because the social scene wasn’t the best fit for you? </p>
<p>Personally, I’ve never understood the popularity of frat culture at USC in the first place. I don’t want my college experience to be undercut because I don’t see the appeal of meeting people on a superficial level, drinking, blacking out, and waking up hungover the morning after.</p>
<p>Everyone has their downtime needs - It’s very easy to find someplace quiet to just relax and do your own thing on campus, and I’ve never really felt overwhelmed by the social life here simply because I go out when I choose to, I stay in when I don’t, and people understand.</p>
<p>I didn’t go the greek route and I still find it extremely easy to party when I want to… but then again these are smaller, more intimate settings like what danaerys said (though my organizations I’m involved with do throw huge parties too).</p>
<p>Trust me, I didn’t think I’d be into football at all when I came to USC (coming from a D3 school on the east coast with 0 school spirit) - however, I found myself going to them just to hang out with friends that I tailgated with, and now I’m hooked.</p>
<p>also, off-topic but… danaerys - Khaleesi.</p>
<p>As a Greek, I’d like to defend SOME of the sororities and fraternities and say it isn’t just about the partying and drinking and all that stuff. Yeah sure that stuff can be fun ON OCCASION, but not all the time, nor do all Greeks find themselves on a higher level than non-Greeks. Some of my best friends here at USC are non-Greek, and some have even decided to join Greek because of the experiences (non-party related) I’ve had! </p>
<p>In short, I apologize for all the fratstars and dumb sorostitutes you have encountered. We are all not like that, I swear.</p>