<p>Hi everyone! I've narrowed down my college choices to USC or my in-state public university. </p>
<p>First of all, I would like more information on USC's Neuroscience major. Is it a good program? How are the professors? Are there many research/internship opportunities for undergraduates? Anything you know helps :]</p>
<p>Also, my mom is concerned about my safety if I'm across the country in Southern California, an area prone to earthquakes. Can the buildings withstand earthquakes? Even the older ones? Do you think it's safe?</p>
<p>And overall, is USC worth its high cost of attendence? With financial aid and merit scholarships, it comes down to about 32k a year for me. This is about twice the cost of my in-state university.</p>
<p>Here in Socal, we hardly even think about earthquakes. I am pretty sure we all have this fear or earthquakes and tsunamis. However, there is no way to live life fearing them. As for building safety, a building can only withstand to a certain degree. That should not be a big concern for choosing a school.</p>
<p>I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for my entire life. I vividly remember the Northridge Earthquake (yes, I am “old” compared to most of you) and what it did to my home and I’ve felt earthquakes out here for as long as I can remember.</p>
<p>I can assure you that of all the things graying my hair - earthquakes are not one of them. </p>
<p>All the buildings in LA, even the older ones are built according to strict codes. Old buildings are reinforced and buildings are checked every so many years. </p>
<p>Also - When you hear that LA would be ruined if a Japan-sized earthquake hit LA, you also have to remember that the San Andreas Fault isn’t able to produce earthquakes on such a scale. </p>
<p>"the San Andreas Fault isn’t able to produce earthquakes on such a scale. "
Uh, try telling that to the scientists at SCEC- the Southern CAlifornia EArthquake Center - located at USC. the San Andreas is well able to produce a monster size earthquake- what do you think happened to SF in 1906? In some parts of N Cal, just north of SF, the ground shifted 15 feet! There are dozens of faults running throughout the LA basin parallel and adjacent to the SA. But LA is not “overdue” for a large earthquake like the Seattle area is in the next 50 or so years, so you can relax for the time being…</p>
<p>Hi, in regards to earthquakes, they occur every single day. Anyone who has spent one day in CA has probably lived through one. The majority of earthquakes are tiny and you don’t feel them at all. Larger earthquakes can be nerve-racking but they’re relatively rare. So while earthquakes are a concern, most californians don’t think about them
that often since they’re everyday unnoticeable occurrences. Of course if there is a massive quake, there can be damage, but earthquakes are just like tornadoes, hurricanes, massive snow storms, or any other kind of natural disaster. You just have to figure out what you and your parents are comfortable with</p>
<p>I have felt exactly 1 earthquake in my 3 years at SC, and it wasn’t that big of a deal. Each year, USC also participates in the Great California Shake-Out, which is an earthquake preparedness exercise.</p>
<p>My D was thinking of majoring in neuroscience but ultimately chose cinema instead. I guess she must have thought it was a good/OK major but since her passion was art, she opted to go into the latter field.</p>
<p>How is your in-state U for the field(s) you’re considering? My kids both attended USoCal & were happy there. S majored in EE & now D is in cinema. One way that helped reduce the cost of USC for us was having D attend our flagship CC & then transferring to USC; this way we did NOT have to pay for 4 years there but we will end up paying for 3.5 years, since it took D a while to choose her major & then get admitted into the school of cinema.</p>