<p>My son is trying to decide between USC undergraduate business school and Tufts Arts and Science. While we are somewhat familiar with Tufts, we don't know much about USC. Never lived in California.</p>
<p>Please tell me about USC:
1) Do you need a car, or can you get by without one?<br>
2) What is the dorm situation? Provided all four years? How hard is it to get a single?
3) How academically challenging is the business school? What would be the percentage of students who get an A?
4) Security issues?</p>
<p>I can take a crack at some of these questions.</p>
<ol>
<li>A car isn't really necessary. The campus is fairly small.</li>
<li>Guarenteed for 2 years. The other two years, most people get an appartment near campus. I think it's pretty difficult to get a single.</li>
<li>Your son will certainly be academically challenged at Marshall (it's in the top 10 of undergrad business schools nationally) Marshall students, and USC students in general have a reputation for having a fairly easy time finding a job after graduation (particularly in California) Many USC alums are concentrated in SoCal and anyone who graduates becomes part of the Trojan Family for life.</li>
</ol>
<p>There are several threads about safety at USC. I have several friends whose kids are current students or recent grads of USC & all have told me they have always felt safe on campus.
USC is attracting more & more NMFinalists (since USC is very generous in merit aid), as well as brilliant students from all over the world. The two most competitive HS in our state send many of its brightest kids to USC every year, where they thrive. In fact, there are kids who are rejected from USC but accepted at ivies including Harvard & UPenn.
Tufts & USC are very different--culturally, climate-wise & in so many ways. It is best if your student can overnight at both campuses to get a feel for both campuses.
There are many kids at USC without cars & many with cars. Folks who don't have cars have no trouble finding friends to share a ride with to get where they need/want to go or finding other means of transport.</p>
<p>1) Not necessary, but it's nice to have one for weekend outings or when you are bored of campus. Either that or find a friend ;)
2) Until this year's freshman class, housing was guaranteed for the first year. But allegedly, it is going to be guaranteed for the 2nd year starting with this year's incoming class. If you haven't sent in your housing form yet, don't count on getting a single now. It's waaaay too late for that.
3) I'm an engineering student unfortunately, so all I can say is all that I've heard. The business students seem to have it somewhat laid back, with usually no classes Friday and not so much work. But they have that notorious grade curve which I know nothing about.
4) Honestly, use common sense, don't travel alone by night and all should be well. I don't know which part of Boston Tufts is in, but I can say USC's area is comparable to downtown Boston.</p>
<p>For junior and senior years that housing is not guaranteed, what kind of off-campus housing is available that allows commuting without a car and is still safe?</p>
<p>There are LOTS of apartments & houses near USC that are safe & within walking distance. The kids I know who have attended/currently attend USC have not had trouble getting safe housing within walking distance of USC. You can call USC campus housing for more info about this issue.</p>