<p>I am considering applying to USC in order to round out my list of colleges (too many reaches and safeties). I have two concerns:</p>
<li><p>Since USC is in the Watts neighborhood, how safe is the actual campus? I plan on owning a car during college, so can I escape Watts if I just drive out of campus?</p></li>
<li><p>How is the quality of the Viterbi school of engineering? It got a 2.9 peer review rank in USN&WR and I want to know why that is so.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>First of all, USC is NOT in Watts. The area around USC is greatly exaggerated, and it is not that bad at all. </p>
<p>The campus itself is extremely safe. People are always around, so it's rarely deserted. I've been on campus at all hours, and been fine. For precaution, our public safety people are around, as well as emergency phones. But I've never heard of anyone needing them on campus. </p>
<p>If you bring a car, obviously you can leave the area when you want to.</p>
<p>I don't know much in the way of specifics about engineering, but I know it's a respected school, and that it keeps getting better because of donations and a lot of time spent on it.</p>
<p>So how hard is it exactly to get a parking spot?</p>
<p>so where is USC exactly??? I don't get it...is it like on the outskirts of Watts, or what? Please clear this up for me as I am very confused.</p>
<p>Thankyous!!!!!! ^.^</p>
<p>We're like two miles south of downtown, in South Los Angeles. Watts is on the other side of the freeway and southeast a couple miles away, so we're not on the outskirts, no. Basically it's in an area where no student ever does, or needs to, venture. There's just no reason to. Students usually are on campus or around places north of campus. </p>
<p>As for parking, it's not that hard to get a spot in one of the structures, but you may not be able to get your first choice. If all the on campus structures get filled up, there is always the huge parking center a couple blocks away.</p>
<p>that's nice. I hear the parking for UCB's really tough to get, so it's nice to hear SC's parking is better.</p>
<p>If i understand properly, then you are telling me Watts is across the freeway 110? And then is it generally safe around Jefferson and Exposition & Vermont streets? Is it ok to walk out there late at night? Is it ok to drive a car around there late at night?</p>
<p>Like everyone will tell you, it's a major US city...it's just not good common sense to go walking out late at night by yourself. Car should be a lot safer than walking. According to <a href="http://www.laalmanac.com/LA/lamap2.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.laalmanac.com/LA/lamap2.htm</a>, which has been really helpful to me in terms of general locations of places around LA, yes, Watts is across the 110, but it's actually kind of far from USC. USC is close to the 110 and 10 interchange.</p>
<p>Proto is right, it's never good to walk around by yourself late at night. Then again, I've done it tons of times (which I shouldn't do, I know) and been fine. Basically, if you stick with friends and are aware of your surroundings, you'll be fine. And, yes, driving around in a car at night is safe. Generally, you will be around Jefferson and Hoover and Figueroa and those are where it will be busier and therefore somewhat safer. Exposition, which is south of campus, and usually not frequented by SC students will be less safe, as will Vermont. </p>
<p>The link above is pretty neat. We're in the top right hand corner of the purple, South Los Angeles section, right below where the 10 and 110 meet.</p>
<p>Sorry I forget to mention exactly where USC was on the map. :)</p>
<p>Well, you said that it was close to the 10 and 110 interchange, so I think that counts. :)</p>