<p>98% would be gasping? Please. I really wanted to stay away from this thread, but I cannot believe that was written. I am an English major here. Believe you me, I don't have an easy load that I can just shrug off to go party. Amherst or anywhere else would not be a shock to me. It is insulting that after working incredibly hard for four years to attend a top-notch school that my efforts are downgraded (both the efforts I made to get into a school like USC and now the effort I put in on an everyday basis). </p>
<p>USC is in a completely different place than it used to be, and I think it's stereotypes need to be put to rest. It is steadily improving, and it is already at a high level. </p>
<p>Btw- auscguy, you cannot judge the education you are going to get from your GE classes. And if you really do have finals and you say you will come back to write more, why do you keep popping up? I'm sorry, but this whole thread is just irking me now. The thread wanted to know about the area. Let's stick to that. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go continue my reading of Moby Dick and my writing on Poe.</p>
<p>Shyboy, stats per se do not address the academic rigor or attitude. And, yes, I think most SC students would fold at the knees at Amherst or Swat. Or U/Chicago. Or Georgetown. Or....</p>
<p>The posts here from USC students defending the school have done a pretty good job of defending my position even though they're unintenionally hilarious.</p>
<p>It occurs to me that this whole thing about SC's academic chops is because SC students would like to have the aura that goes with attending an academically elite institution without having to actually do the work. But there's little use flogging an expired equine.</p>
<p>I made both my points: the neighborhood isn't as bad as it's cracked up to be, the school isn't as good as its pretensions. This thread has run its course and now reached the point of circling around and around. Flop on! Ciao.</p>
<p>I find the messages from TheDad to be inappropriate for this forum. Frankly, I don't know what you base your poor perception of USC on - old information and hearsay from others, perhaps. Two of my children attend USC - one in graduate school and the other, undergraduate. They are both very challenged, very absorbed in their studies and extremely happy with the school. I have another child at a top ten rated school (US News). I see no qualitative differences in the kind of education that any of my children are getting: they're all being exposed to excellent profs, challenging and interesting courses etc. Please refrain from bashing USC on this forum - there are kids out there who deserve to get more credible and more accurate information as they make their school choices. Maybe you should conform to an old, but wise adage: if you have nothing nice to say, don't sayanything at all.</p>
<p>-uscchick
" if you really do have finals and you say you will come back to write more, why do you keep popping up"</p>
<p>WTF, I just finished my 8am GE final this morning. Is that you hate me to tell the truth that how bad of the quality of education in USC is? </p>
<p>-Mr trojanmn,
stop digressing from the topic, why the heck you are comparing USC to a public school. I don't mind if I can't get the class I want or being in a class of 400ppl, if they charge far less than that of USC</p>
<p>-TheDad
Although I would say that USC isn't as the same rank as u of chicago, geogretown, etc.... but 98% would be gasping. that's bs. Although I don't really like it here. I have seen some really smart ppl.</p>
<p>I was mentioned twice after my original comment so I thought maybe I should respond. Wow lots has happened and perhaps this topic has run it's course.</p>
<p>I had a great time at USC almost 30 yrs ago. Fond memories, great experiences, exposure to lots and lots. Highlights-being at ND when we won and the band is playing Tusk, getting Shhhh'd at for laughing in the hallway by Tom Hayden-I believe he was still Jane's hubby at the time, listening to President Ford and having secret service laugh at my cheap camera. All undergrad except for ND-too busy in Pharmacy school to do anything but work and study.</p>
<p>Present-yes SC is raising tons of money to buy great things and people, acceptance stats are much higher(I am sure everyone knows my son was rejected-most still wonder why-divine intervention?-was told he could come next yr if he just kept a 3.4). When people think about SC it is rarely academics, we aren't Princeton but talk to adminstration and they compare "us" to Princeton. One reason I quit wearing my alumni tops was because I got tired of people who would never talk to me until they saw I was a SC grad. Being a member of the club isn't so great sometimes. I remember looking at the rich cars and seeing the alumni plate, and feeling smug. Well don't know if looking at rich cars on the freeway is scientific, drivng an expensive car doesn't mean you can afford it. Maybe that is easy to say when you can afford the nice car-then it isn't important anymore. I think S Sample is on the correct path to greatness for USC. </p>
<p>I don't know about the 98% so I cannot comment. I do not believe TheDad was bashing. </p>
<p>There is something about being one of the "family" that feels you with pride, sometimes pride keeps you from seeing the whole picture. There are wonderful programs and worth every dollar. Son was not ready for the Jazz program last year and I am glad I am not spending almost 50K for him to have a ton of fun getting ready to audition again. I did everything I could to make him love the school-tours, being on the field leading his HS band during a SC game , talking with band people learning about all the exciting travel. I won, but sometimes you need to be careful what you ask for.</p>
<p>I don't see how talking about good and not so good will hurt a student considering applying. </p>
<p>LA I've never been flammed before, hope I can take it.</p>
<p>look auscguy, im really just trying to help you realize that you made a really good choice of coming here to do your BS/MS here, whether you want to realize it or not. ok? im not trying **** you off. </p>
<p>you cant really judge anything unless you have a comparable. to USC, the closest comparables are the uc's. you mentioned it first with the tuition thing, not me. anywyas, if youre truly unhappy with life here even after just 1 semester, than the only thing i can suggest to you is to transfer. thats what i did.</p>
<p>I know you are an 'SC student. You kept saying you would come back and write about your experiences when finals were over, and that's totally understandable because I know how hectic it is. I just thought it was funny that you kept returning to comment anyways. That's all. </p>
<p>And I definitely don't hate you for not liking the education you are receiving here. If anything I am disappointed that you are not happy with your classes, and hope that you will wait it through until you get to more intimate classes for your major.</p>
<p>I found so many negative comments about USC. I agree with THEDAD</p>
<br>
<p>USC was no what i expected out of a college at all!! I made a mistake (an expensive mistake) by coming here. All the students are totally caught up in the L.A. lifestyle and just walk around talkign about their fraternities or sororities and the lives of celebrities. What about academic issues you ask? Never. The professors were friendly and sometimes helpful but the classes were not challenging. Obviously its a trendy school (I have no idea why) and its hard to get into...but the academics have not caught up with the selectivity. The students are also snobby. Greek losers are sobby towards people not beautiful or involved with greek life. On the other hand, the film school students are snobby towards everyone not in the film school. My advise : Go elsewhere for an education...maybe one of the UC schools or an East Coast school. Come here if you want parties and glamor. </p>
<p>USC = Mediocre education for a high rip-off price. Looking back at my last three years at this institute, I feel that the students are so much into football, frats and partying. The people of LA also tend to be greedy, selfish, and materialistic..and in turn this culture is also reflected by SC students in general. Some of my professors didn't seem to want to help me. Some of the students I've worked with in groups were fake, and seem to be out to give me low grade with group evaluation. If I were to go back in time, I would NOT come to USC. NEVER! </p>
<br>
<p>USC is such a horrible school. You will feel so unwelcome, unwanted, and shut out if you're not a rich, snobby LA daddy's little girl or boy. And I wouldn't care so much if the faculty and education were at least decent, but the classes suck and the teachers would rather you flunk out. Such a rip off!!</p>
<p>I just felt to give my personal opinion for this thread . .I just left UCSB for USC, and I will be attending USC in the spring.. I had an amazing life at UCSB , I had my own single room facing the ocean.. I left so many friends behind.. but I felt I had some reasons i needed to transfer. the whole quarter system ate me alive... I hated this system.. professors rushed with the material as quickly as they could.. especially for a major as chemical engineering it was soo hard I couldnt take it.. proffessor have no time for students.. they had research to do .. for example i was taking a C++ class and i remeber each time i went to ask a TA for help in my program he would yell at me saying " do u want me to lose my job for u , i cant tell u how to write the program " i never told him to help write anything.. i spent 6 hrs with him , yes SIX hrs and he didnt help me fix my problem.. i had no one else to turn to.. i felt i was sinking.. i was taking extremely hard classes and i had to struggle whether to finish my term paper, do programming, studying for my next midterm or finish the hw due the next night.. it was a disaster for me.. i eventually turned to some students who helped me.. most student here stay for the summer to finish some courses.. unlike me as an international student i couldnt, i am already paying huge amount of money for this uni and summer was the only time i can see my family that lives on the other side of the world.. I couldnt take it there anymore..<br>
Everytime I wanted to see Prof or even anyone to help me keep track of my couses and my progress towards degree , they keep sending me to another person to see or make an appointment ect.. they didnt understand I was not planning to stay 7 years to earn my degree,.. i have siblings on the way to college and it would be impossible for my father to teach 4 people at the same time ..
After i told my professors about my intention to transfer , i was treated in a very weird way.. i couldnt get help as before and even some my friends looked at me in a different way. ..they always thought of me as " the spoiled rich girl " and always made fun of me about that..<br>
this is the exciting part.. i went to the office of international student to withdraw my papers and it get more info on how to transfer.. the dean of the office saw me and asked me to come to his office ( i knew him since last year ) and when i told him about my transfer he was completely angry and mad and I felt scared from his reaction.. he said , " no u cant transfer"" i was like what??? and he start telling me " so u think ucsb is not prestige enough for u ?"" i was speechless.. i was gonna cry ... he went and closed the door and he told me i should stay.. i told him its the quarter system and that i dont feel i am learning anything.. we r just rushing into the materinal and left by our own to figure everything else and i dont feel i am smart enough to do that.. he looked at me with hate and digust and opened the door for me and he didnt say anything.. then i went to take my paper from the lady ,she threw them at me and said" ur out of ucsb now, go let USC pick u up tomorrow morning or even now ".. i was shocked and i start crying ,, i didnt know what to do.. then all my friends were like " u dont like it here, even if we had full ride at usc we wouldnt go there ." .. why do people think i am leaving to usc cuz i think its better.. no one has to like usc and everyone starts telling bad things about it..
the day i was packing my stuff , my RA came to tell me goodbye and I was in a bad mood and it was hard for me to leave such a place.. and I told her if theres nothing nice to tell me then dont.. surprisingly,, she encouraged me and told me i was soo lucky and that shes even considering USC for her grad study and she told me if i didnt go there ill regret it for ever, especially that i got on campus housing as a trasnfer..
theres alot more to say about ucsb, but i am sure u guys are sick of reading my comment by now..</p>
<p>
[quote]
And, yes, I think most SC students would fold at the knees at Amherst or Swat. Or U/Chicago. Or Georgetown. Or....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What is your basis for this? You haven't attended all of these universities nor have you actually experienced the academic rigors required to succeed, yet somehow you are able to justify that SC students would "fold at the knees"? </p>
<p>Georgetown: 83% are in top tenth
USC: 84% are in top tenth
Chicago: 78% are in top tenth
Amherst: 86% are in top tenth
Swarthmore: 92% are in top tenth </p>
<p>You offer nothing of credibility nor is it relevant to the purpose of this forum. It's amazing how an adult/dad can act so immature. You do realize that there are other sons and daughters here trying to make a college selection of their own? Either post something of pertinence or post nothing at all.</p>
<p>Wow, your analytical skills are <em>so</em> keen. Being in a top tenth of a high school class says very little about work ethic and taste for academic rigor. I've known quite a few students who go to top schools; I've also known quite a few students from USC and several people who have taught there. Some of the students are grad students who have done their undergrad elsewhere and have some pretty good bases of comparison.</p>
<p>The common campus attitude on SC is exactly as you yourself describe--and is not the hallmark of a rigorous academic environment:</p>
<p>
[quote]
i dont know if i am really getting a clear point across. i am trying to say that academics cannot provide a suitable yard stick for all schools to be measured, and under no circumstance would define a school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oh, but academics <em>are</em> the measure of a first-class educational institution, which was the pretentious claim that sparked this sub-thread in the first place. I don't deny SC has its plusses which appeal to many students but that's an entirely different question. But your experience of going from a mid-range UC to a mid-range private school really gives you little experience with a tough academic environment. </p>
<p>You guys truly speak for the school with statements like: </p>
<p>
[quote]
But again, this does not mean the potential for an academically-enriching experience is not there, just that it is often difficult for students to muster enough motivation to pursue it. Is it the university's fault for providing such opportunities? Of course not.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Maybe some day you'll find yourself on a campus where students mustering motivation to "pursue academically enriching experiences" isn't just "potential" but the norm and the expectation and where students take joy in it. Flop On!!!</p>
<p>Oh...and Papabear? This kind of discussion is exactly appropriate for College Confidential. People reading this exchange at least have pointers to issues that they can follow up on and make up their own minds...in either direction. If you want a smug world with nothing critical of the cardinal-and-gold, I suggest that you don't leave the University Park area.</p>
<p>wow, i am unimpressed. i didint want to turn this personla, but...tell me something, do you have any opinion that isnt based on what other people say (given these people exist, imaginary deosnt count)? like maybe a fact based opinion? what makes you the authority on college academics? youre not a student, maybe you were like 20-30 yrs ago. things have changed, buddy. besides, shouldnt you be working or something? dont bother replying, you are ignored.</p>
<p>But I disagree with your tone and way with which you argued with these several students.</p>
<p>I do think USC still has a long way to go, but you can not always berate it without any substantive proofs. The close thing from you is like "I have friends .... How about say your personal opinion without being pretending to be an authority. </p>
<p>I know you enjoy talking on CC, and a good guy contributing here. Ever take time to give us a definition what is "academics environment", without mentioning "I know somebody..."? I don't see students here pumping USC as top elite school first (that would be stupid), it was you who can not resist putting down USC at any chance, and can we say "psychologically".</p>
<p>I feel the thread being so long is because of you not being fair. The students here just want a fair assessment about their school. They don't think it at the level of top 20, neither have they agreed it at the level you personally put it down. You get to know enough to hurt that much people.</p>
<p>The students here arguing with you are at their teens. Can you show a little maturity without jeers?</p>