<p>Of the two USC professors I know on a personal level, both have sent/are planning to send their children elsewhere for college. Professor #1’s case is more relevant here: Eldest kid was an exceptional intellect and had musical talent. Was initially attracted to USC because of the music program. Toured a single-letter school, fell in love. Parents said that single-letter school was going to be far more expensive than what they’d anticipated for college, given option of USC for free or a UC. There was a major family tussle. Came to a financial agreement with kid, where kid would work parttime and take out some loans while parents came up with the rest. Kid is now finished; a younger sibling is at a first-rate LAC.</p>
<p>Maybe some negotiation between the OP and the mother is possible. Or disclosure. OP, we of course have no idea what your family’s financial situation is. For that matter, you might not, either. If there truly are financial issues, that’s a different matter entirely, in which case you may indeed need to stay at USC. In that case, you may want to approach professors in your department and ask if there’s some other way to get the type of discussion you crave.</p>