<p>Potential USC mom here. DS was accepted to both USC and UCLA. If it wasn’t for the money issue, it would be USC hands-down. (He didn’t get any of the big USC scholarships and we don’t qualify for FA because of complicated family finances.)</p>
<p>So I’ve been floating between the two boards here on CC and am impressed on the enthusiasm and mutual support of the students – both accepted and anticipating – here. The UCLA board is snarky and sometime just plain nasty.</p>
<p>We’re entering our “due diligence” phase of the process with all day campus visits and in-town meetings for both. While my heart’s totally pulling for USC, my wallet likes the UCLA tuition. It will be his decision in the end.</p>
<p>One point that is in DS’s decision matrix is the beach. We live on the coast and he surfs almost every day. I see USC has a surf club. Anyone have any experience on how one would get to the beach w/o having a car (and with surfboard in tow)? He knows it will probably only be a weekend hobby in college, but I’m wondering if even that is doable.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, I have deleted many posts that would be considered “biting” or another b word. I remember two instances where I let it rip (in one case politely, but with a strong undertone.). In the other case…I TRIED…I pm-ed the person, but sometimes, when a kid is involved who could be really hurt if he saw the post about him…I was a very bad girl. (And I would do it again.)</p>
<p>Welcome SoCalGal09- you’ve come to a good place (sanctuary, safe haven, asylum- ha ha- I used my Thesaurus) for questions about USC. Although we don’t always have good answers- we are here for support!</p>
<p>I also can’t find any old useful posts on this subject. I’d try posting a new thread with this questions to see if you can get any students to answer. </p>
<p>It also wouldn’t hurt to call the Office of Campus Activities- 213.740.5693 to ask about contact info for the Surf Club. I found this email as a contact but it may be old <a href=“mailto:leeb@usc.edu”>leeb@usc.edu</a></p>
<p>SoCalGal09 - You’re not alone in the tuition stress department. My D was offered a big ol scholarship to a school she’s decided she doesn’t like at all. Truthfully, she probably wouldn’t be happy there. (In her heart, she’s always wanted USC.) I’ll be happy if we can get the tuition anywhere near that of a UC. I’ve been lectured by a few folks who think it’s not worth the cost, but it’s a personal decision and we disagree. We’ll figure out how to do it. This is an experience that will shape her life, and we know she’ll make the most of this wonderful opportunity. It’s her decision. She’ll have a job and loans, no doubt. (As will we)</p>
<p>Re the surf club: I bet if you call the school they can get you info on it, if no one’s got any personal insight.</p>
<p>Thanks for that, ellebud. I guess I posted that question because I was feeling bad about my attitude sometimes. It’s good to here others have their moments too!</p>
<p>I know nothing about Engineering, and I couldn’t stop myself by replying to some guy who was making very critical observations of USC Eng. Afterward, I figured I should have let an Eng fanatic respond, I’m liking the time-out idea Nice to know you guys feel this way too.</p>
<p>cc411 and ellebud - I think your self-editing must be working, because I’ve never noticed anything terribly biting about any of your posts. Now myself, on the other hand… I’m just glad you guys are there to jump in with me when I simply can’t restrain myself! Maybe I should start deleting posts :)</p>
<p>No- don’t restrain yourself, FauxNom. One technique I have is that I wait-and hope- for one of you to do the dirty work!<br>
(Here’s an example of a post I should probably delete- oh well.)</p>
<p>My son got accepted in USC and he really wants to go there, but we still waiting for the results for presidential scholarship. If they will not give to him I don’t think that we can pay $52K/year and I have to stop him to go to this college. He got accepted in two more colleges that has a lot less tuition and even the rating is better, but he is not very willing to go there. I am interesting how other families a dealing with this?</p>
<p>This happened to my first son, who was accepted in NYUs TISCH dramatic writing program with a merit scholarship. My son was set on USC. I will be frank, it wasn’t easy financially, but my son was so happy his 4 years at USC, I wouldnt change that for anything. My husband worked double shifts, I sold on ebay - LOL (but now you can’t make any money on ebay!). We put the monthly payment on a credit card, then scrambled to make payments! It was/is worth it to me to see the experiance my son had. He is staying in the USC area after graduation, loves LA, and even the neighborhood believe it or not!</p>
<p>My second son is still waiting on USC. He got accepted to a business school higher rated than Marshall with some merit money as well. I would be over joyed if he went there, the school has a USC friendliness that I love plus it would be $13,000 cheaper a year if he went there. But he has his heart set on USC ever since he visited it with my older son when he was 13 years old! Seeing how happy my older son was, we would make the sacrifice if he is accepted- it won’t be easy, but hopefully my youngest will have the same amazing experiance.</p>
<p>you USC moms are like family for helping me and everyone else out so much! just wanted to reach out and thank all of you! hopefully as a transfer i’ll get accepted and join the trojan family, clearly one filled with love. </p>
<p>I try to just ignore the negative threads that people put on the board because I realize many of them are from adolescents who really do not know better. I have to bite my tongue a lot in Berkeley where I live when negative trojan comments are made and of course get all the UCLA fan flack as well but just state the facts.
My son received at least four nice financial offers from other state (Colo) and private engineering programs so it was difficult making the decision to have to pay full ride after no bucks even after our last minute financial aid plea. He thinks USC was the best choice, and loves his major, however not all of his professors have been stellar or accomadating. I was banking on the academic and emotional support from the engineering dept promised before he enrolled but have been disappointed by it. Now I am banking on the trojan network after he graduates.</p>
<p>I should have titled this threads “Parents” because you are welcome here, Futureholds. I can only imagine what you get living in Berkeley.</p>
<p>Although I’m a very strong supporter of USC, both my sons would admit it is definitely not perfect. Not all professors are stellar- for sure. Some of the GE’s were very uninteresting (boring!) for them. D went to a much smaller college and got better academic and emotional support. Students do need to be pretty strong and independent to figure out the system at times. But yes, Trojan Network… S got his first job out of USC with one of his professors! </p>
<p>Probably one of my first posts that said something negative about USC- but I still LOVE USC!</p>
<p>Even in TO, not all professors are wonderful(I think that is expected for any university). Overall, D’s experience at USC has been 99% positive.</p>
Nice to know you guys feel this way too.</p>
</p>