How much is USC social life revolved around sports and greek life?
I’ve never visited so my opinion might not be helpful, but I have a friend who has been on campus a lot, and her impression was that Greek life was very prominent and popular, but not in a way that would isolate someone who isn’t into it. There’s apparently a nice “family vibe”, and a ton of other organizations for you to get involved in. Obviously there are going to be frat parties like any other school, but the campus is so huge that you’re going to find people you like. My friend is personally interested in rushing, but thinks that I would like USC just as much, even as someone you might consider “very alternative looking.” As for sports, I’ll leave that question to someone else. I though the Steelers were a baseball team until six months ago. I really hope this helped???
Thanks that was helpful!
Greek life’s prominence has been shrinking as the school’s become more academically oriented. It will always be a part of USC, but I think it’s no longer as overwhelming or elitist as it used to be 5-10 years ago. It’s probably in a good place right now where you can find your place at this school, greek or not. There’s an unignorable racial aspect to this as well if you’re observant.
If you don’t like sports when you come to USC, you’ll like it by the time you leave. Sorry, this part is inescapable…
You can definitely enjoy USC without ever attending a sporting event. Doing so will definitely miss out on a large part of school spirit, but to each their own. I’d recommend at the very least hanging out with people into this sort of thing for the camaraderie of game day even if you’re not passionate about it and go to do other things when they head to the sporting events.
Only because it was brought up, the obvious racial aspect to the Greek system is changing slowly over time, for the better, and to continue needs under-represented people to go out for rush. I’m sure there’s another thread where bringing up this topic would be more appropriate/relevant.
My D just started as a freshman 2 weeks ago and she had the intention of rushing a sorority but she’s made SO many friends in the first 2 weeks that after 1 day of rush, she quit! She says she doesn’t need that for a great social life and is much happier with the friends she’s made in classes and around the dorms. Welcome Week was amazing and she has already formed great relationships. She loves it because the people she’s met are also very academic so when they all get together, they can do both HW or just hang out. She told me she has something to do every night if she wanted to. She loves sports and will definitely go to sporting events…that’s a really fun part of USC tradition. But from her experience so far, I would say if she didn’t go to a sporting event or a frat party, she’d be just fine in the social arena!
If you want frat and sorority life its very competitive. Getting bids has a lot to do with connections and legacy. If you can’t get a bid you basically have limited social life. That being said there are clubs to meet people but going to parties on the row is limited especially if you’re a guy.
Greek life is very important at USC. That is where you meet most of your friends. Many girls leave the sorority after sophomore year because there really isn’t much of a benefit after you’ve made friends and you begin to get serious about your life after college. For boys, they tend to stay until the very end, but they participate less in the frat their senior year.
Not getting a bid does not limit your social life. It limits your social life in the Greek system because you’re not in a house. That’s pretty obvious. Getting a bid can be a lot about connections at some houses, but many care more about you - will you be a good addition, a good brother or sister.
The full, correct statement is “That is where you meet most of your friends.” if you are in it. However, if you’re not in it then you meet most of your friends outside of it. You can have a great time being in one, and you can have a great time not being in one, like stephrass says.