University of Southern California

College Search & Selection
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<p>gadad:</p>

<p>At the risk of being rude, yes this issue has been raised many times before much to the annoyance of people associated with USC. I suggest that you go to the USC Forum and check the threads there.</p>

<p>The Exposition Park/University Park/West Adams area of LA is not Westwood. OK. But is is not dangerous during the day and only dangerous at night if you are foolish.The neighborhoods immediately around USC are composed of working class Hispanic families and students. The whole area is ripe for gentrification.</p>

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<p>Excellent! Some good questions! Thank you gadad and NervesOfJelly!</p>

<p>Regarding the surrounding urban environment, USC actually benefits from its surroundings in many ways. First the basics: is it smart to go walking around West Adams at night by oneself? No. Like in many urban areas, there are risks in being out at night. </p>

<p>I personally feel very safe on campus. USC has its own police force, Department of Public Safety (DPS) that is very visible day and (especially) night. UCLA students will poke fun at the wall around our campus, but we do have a wall around our campus. All residence halls can be accessed only with electronic ID cards at night, and as I said DPS is very visible. When walking at night, I see at least 3 of their vans drive past me. Guards are also positioned around the neighborhood at night, particularly north of campus, home to many student residences. In addition there is a free service, Campus Cruzer that provides transportation to students in the immediate area through a phone call. </p>

<p>Based on its compact nature, I actually feel that USC is has the safest feeling of many campuses I have visited. Upon admission to Cal and UCLA, I spent the nights at both campuses. Both are distinguished by their sprawling designs, and many have residence halls in hills with many trees and paths. Although attractive during the day, these areas can be somewhat creepy at night, particularly at Cal where there are a lot of unpredictable homeless people outside. </p>

<p>About the University Park/Figueroa Corridor, the area is transforming and difficult to recognize in comparision to its condition a decade ago (I saw the area when my brother was a Trojan 14 years ago). USC has worked to improve the community while respecting the diverse residents of the area. One main focus has been with the local public schools, which are now better than some the schools in the elite suburbs. Through programs like JEP, USC students can work with local schoolchildren while gaining exposure to the diversity of the area. We were recognized by Time/Princeton Review as College of the Year for our achievements!</p>

<p>USC students used to come primarily from in state, and now over 50% come from out of state. This has really increased the demand for student housing, and as a result gentrification is affecting the neighborhood. Like with many urban universities, this has been causing some outcry by displaced residents who can't afford rising rents and affordable housing advocates. In checking zillow.com, I noticed that homes in South LA are listed ranging from $500,000-$800,000...again in South LA!! (I'm a planning and development student, so I apologize if I get too into this). </p>

<p>This has led to a need for responsible growth in the area. From a USC real estate development student perspective, the University Park area is an awesome laborotory to observe. Conquest Student Housing just completed a new development, Tuscany, with luxury student apartments and ground floor "Westwood-style" retail including Chipotle, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Robeks Juice, Cold Stone, and others across from the campus. Up Figueroa, the University Gateway apartment complex is replacing a car dealership and offering housing for 1600 students including a USC Bookstore, fitness center, and other stores and cafes. Downtown and the University Park are definitely becoming one as development continues along the Figueroa Corridor. The New Galen Center frames the skyline with a panoramic window. With new site opening including LA Live (although this is some distance away) the area keeps getting more exciting!</p>

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<p>gadad, on the topic of the "University of Spoiled Children" or even worse the "University of Spoiled Caucasians," I have a lot to share. One of my main reasons for joining CC and creating these forums was that I was annoyed with people who had never even visited this school sharing with others about the "lack of diversity," "party obsessed student body," and "overall poor intellectual experience" at USC. Believe me, I would not have chosen USC if these ideas were true. </p>

<p>First, as modest I can be, I characterize myself as "intellectually-focused student" and I more than definitely "feel that I'm in a setting full of others who share my passion for ideas."</p>

<p>USC has transformed significantly in the last decade. Yes, about 15 years ago we were not a very selective school, and our party scene was famous, and lingering stereotypes about these ideas still prevail. However, leaders such as President Sample have done an amazing job tranforming the campus. </p>

<p>I'm not saying that there aren't parties at USC. There are. Parties exist at EVERY university. But there are so many regulations placed on the houses on "The Row" that USC is in no way a party school more than any other university with college students, and it is more than possible to enjoy your USC experience without even knowing that parties occur. </p>

<p>Everyone at USC has intellectual interests. What is unique about USC is that the interests are so diverse and vary among each student, in many ways because there are so many professional schools and majors at USC that attract diverse people. One thing I noticed here more than at other schools is that people are social and very friendly. There is not a sense of cut-throat competition, and students are very supportive, yet at the same time they are also brilliant. It's an amazing balance that contributes to a very balanced campus. Most people who visit the school talk about "a great feeling" they get, and it's true. </p>

<p>To get a glimpse of the intellectual environment, go to <a href="http://www.usc.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.usc.edu&lt;/a> and the calendar. I compare USC to a cruise ship because there is so much happening every day, and there's something for everyone! The Thornton School of Music literally puts on at least 3 performances a week, and an Arts and Humanities Initiative, Visions and Voices, brings several events to the campus each week, including lectures, discussions, concerts, plays, films, and more. This past year, highlights included visits by Spike Lee and Quincy Jones. </p>

<p>There are also many residential colleges at USC, like Parkside and the Arts and Humanities Residential College where professors and their families live among students and help plan special programs and events.</p>

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<p>Are students allowed to perform in musical events even though Music is not their major?</p>

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<p>Definitely! I am not a music major, and I was a member of the Concert Orchestra last semester, and I plan to continue next semester. The Trojan Marching Band is only about 30% music majors. In most cases, there is an ensemble for music majors, and one for non-music majors.</p>

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<p>PROUD TROJAN!</p>

<p>We share an interest in Public Policy. Please tell me as much as you can about the Public Policy/Planning School and how it would compare to lets say Pomona College's Public Policy Program or Rice's.</p>

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<p>I am proud of you proudtrojan. Many students have inferiority complexes about their schools. You are happy about yours.</p>

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<p>Thanks PT - USC is a long way from GA, but in many other ways it seems like a good prospect for my daughter. (Actually, distance from GA may be yet another asset as far as she's concerned!)</p>

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<p>Are the merit scholarships USC offer only covers tuition but not room and board?</p>

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<p>Here's a question: what do you think of UCLA? (This is not to start a debate -- I'm simply wondering about your opinion.)</p>

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<p>skyhawkk08, you asked:</p>

<p>"We share an interest in Public Policy. Please tell me as much as you can about the Public Policy/Planning School and how it would compare to lets say Pomona College's Public Policy Program or Rice's."</p>

<p>First, I don't know much about the programs at Pomona or Rice. I do know that USC's program is unique, and it is the only program in the nation that has a name "B.S Public Policy, Management, and Planning." </p>

<p>The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development was formed following the merger of the former Schools of Public Affiars and of Planning and Development. I recommend viewing its website <a href="http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/&lt;/a> Based on the long name of the undergraduate degree, you can see that it is quite multidisciplinary. Here is info on the program:<a href="http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/programs/undergraduate/bs/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/programs/undergraduate/bs/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The program consists of core courses including the following:
Public Policy and Management (PPD 225) (gateway course) – 4 units
Urban Planning and Development (PPD 227) (gateway course) – 4 units
Citizenship and Public Ethics (PPD 240) – 4 units
The Urban Context for Policy and Planning (PPD 245) – 4 units
Government and Business (PPD 357) – 4 units
Public Policy, Management, and Planning Practices: Internship Seminar (PPD 401) – 2 units
Statistics for Policy, Planning, and Development (PPD 404x) – 4 units
Public Policy and Planning Analysis (PPD 473) – 4 units </p>

<p>These are taken by all undergrads in the major, and you can see that there is a balance of classic policy classes in addition to some that place emphasis on the built environment. The idea is that policy makers, planners, health care providers, and developers all work together in the real world at various times. </p>

<p>Each student in the major then chooses a concentration, which basically becomes your main focus. Concentrations include the following:
Health Policy and Management
Public Management
Public Policy Areas and Issues
Real Estate Development
Urban Planning and Development</p>

<p>My main interest happens to be in Real Estate Development, and USC is the only school in the nation I could find that had an undergrad program of this nature for development. </p>

<p>In terms of your interest in public policy, I recommend checking out the website for the possible tracks to view required courses. <a href="http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/programs/undergraduate/bs/curriculum/tracks.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/programs/undergraduate/bs/curriculum/tracks.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>There are many full time professors who chair the nationally ranked grad programs teaching undergrad courses in addition to part-time faculty who also serve as practitioners and politicians in the field. This past semester I took a course with former LA City Councilman and current Planning Commissioner Michael Woo. The school is very integrated in Southern California policy issues, and you can't go a day without seeing a member of the PPD faculty mentioned in the LA Times or Wall Street Journal.</p>

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<p>Leungpy, true the merit scholarships cover tuition, but not room and board. I will say though that if you like to help people and you are genuinely interested and make it through the competitive process, you can become an RA, and then get free room and board.</p>

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<p>about the scholarships and tuition, USC's financial aid office is extremely generous, and sometimes their need-based (not merit-based) aid can cover much of the living costs, if you're really in need of it.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Here's a question: what do you think of UCLA? (This is not to start a debate -- I'm simply wondering about your opinion.)

[/quote]

i go to USC and finished my freshman year, so hopefully you don't mind if i throw in my opinion on this one ;)...in my opinion, UCLA is an awesome school...academics are great, beautiful campus and surrounding area. a lot of my friends went there, and i very nearly went there...it would have been significantly cheaper as well. but several factors turned me away from it. for one...i'm asian, and the highly asian population turned me off. i didn't want to get lost in the crowd, and the asian-american "culture" never appealed to me (and i almost have an aversion for it, really). </p>

<p>also, i've lived in Southern California all of my life...i didn't want to leave (hence why i'm at USC), but at UCLA, most of the students would be from Southern California, or California in general, and i wanted to experience more geographic diversity...only half the students at USC are from in-state. i've made so many friends from all over, and especially from out of the country (my roommate was Chilean). and so far, it's been a beautiful, eye opening experience to make so many diverse friends. besides geographic diversity, because USC's admissions aren't based on statistics as much as UCLA's and so many students are arts students, the people here tend to be more multi-talented and less singularly focused...intelligent and artistic, creative and fun, everything. the structure of the school supports it as well, by heavily promoting minors and double-majors well outside your own field of study, even giving scholarships for completing two disparate fields of study.</p>

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<p>I definitely agree with phobos on everything! (although I'm not Asian, haha-some people do call me an "egg" though, but that's entirely subjective :)) But I love the diversity at USC! I was initially not expecting it, but I strongly feel that in many ways USC is far more diverse than the schools in the UC system, particularly in terms of geographic diversity. Upon my admission to both UCLA and Cal, I was struck by the fact that almost everyone I met was from CA! People tried to assert their "NorCal" or "SoCal" pride, but that was basically the extent of geographic diversity, which is fine. That is the purpose of the University of California system. They even said that their goal is to have students come from every county in CA. At USC the goal is to have representation from the entire world. Living at Parkside last year, I seriously now have friends who live in five different continents. Interacting with the diverse students is definitely a highlight and an educational experience in itself. </p>

<p>I was admitted to UCLA as a pre-psychology student. My educational intent in high school was to major in architecture. In CA, that left three strong options: USC, Cal Poly SLO, and UC Berkeley. (UCLA actually just started a program this year, but it is not accredited and does not offer any professional degrees). Realizing the competitiveness in applying to this major in which an architectural portfolio is considered in additon to all other criteria, I applied to schools like UCLA counting on them as other options in case I did not get into arch programs. UCLA is a good school; it simply did not have the programs I wanted, which is one of many reasons most students choose USC over UCLA. </p>

<p>In addition to arch, I knew that I wanted to take real estate, city planning and business courses, and it was only at USC that I could take such a combination of classes! I have since decided to pursue real estate development studies over architecture, based on my interest in the entrepreneural side of the field as opposed to the design side, but I can confidently tell you that every course I have taken so far is not offered at UCLA. It is important to consider your academic interests when choosing a school as it is place where you learn about yourself and the world. I am happy made a great decision coming to USC.</p>

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<p>"true the merit scholarships cover tuition, but not room and board. I will say though that if you like to help people and you are genuinely interested and make it through the competitive process, you can become an RA, and then get free room and board" </p>

<p>Proudtrojan what is a RA??</p>

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<p>Resident assistant.</p>

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<p>Actually, residential advisor. There are several in every Residential Hall. They plan programs, help with building government, provide primary counselling, and deal with some disciplinary issues. You have to take a two unit course, then fill out an application for the job.</p>

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<p>proudtrojan, can you tell me any and everything you know about ENTERTAINMENT LAW regarding to USC. do a lot of entertainment industry people graduate from USC thus creating a strong alumni network especially in hollywood?</p>

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<p>Can you comment on the strong alumni network that I hear about all the time? Is there anything about it that really separates it from the networks of the other top universities?</p>

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<p>i want proudtrojan to talk about this also especially in relation to the entertainment industry......but i do hear that USC alum do not think twice about hiring other USC alum</p>