I am a senior in HS, and I am anxiously awaiting my decision from USC! It’s my top choice, so I really hope to get in.
I’ve been stalking some previous threads on here, and one thing that comes up often is that USC is full of stuck up, materialistic people. I’m assuming that is said because USC is in LA, which is also stereotyped like that. How true are these rumors? I’m sure that there are some people at the school that fit this mold, but how does the overall class body relate?
If it is true, I am not particularly bothered, but on the other hand I am. I live in one of the richest areas of my state (although I am not that wealthy myself), and my high school, which is also the Trojans, is labeled a school for rich, white and spoiled students. Since I’ve lived in this area for 10 years, I’ve just become “used to” these attitudes, but it isn’t something that I want to surround myself with for another 4 years. I want to rush, so maybe it’s something I won’t be able to avoid? (Since the Greeks also have the same stereotype).
What do you guys think? Is this question dumb?
In short, how “snobbish” would you say the overall student body is, if it is at all? What about those in Greek Life?
Fight On!
Actually, the idea that USC is full of stuck up, materialistic people has never been perpetuated “on here”, because posters on college confidential are actually self-educated, open minded individuals - as they need to be when they’re considering pursuing upper education at any highly ranked school. I won’t argue that this perception exists elsewhere, typically in the minds of kids from middle class families who could never make it here and rationalize it as their parents not being rich enough to buy the secret USC entry token that all 43,000 students in the school had to pay for.
How can you be bothered and not bothered? If you want to go to a school where you can get away with being worth a trillion dollars, yet can be seen as having “made it” yourself, attend literally any public university in the country. That’s all it takes to manipulate how people perceive you - the second you step on campus at a private university, many of your personal merits and accomplishments will be regarded with spite, attributed enviously towards nepotism or inherited wealth. In the same way that investment bankers, dentists, and lawyers are hated less for their actions, and more for their incomes, if you are “bothered” with being associated with rich, white and spoiled students, then maybe USC should not be your top choice in the first place. Maybe you should also never buy a nice car. Also definitely don’t live in a nice zip code, wear high-end clothes, expensive watch/purse, or ever make over 6 figures a year - you’re going to be “bothered” by the perception of others. Just be the Prius driving HR manager living in Baldwin Park that the median UCLA kid ends up as, only because they just want to be “grounded” and express humility, as opposed to not having any other choice, you know?
On the other hand, if you come in with the opposite air of arrogance (like the one I just expressed towards a very specific example of a bitter UCLA alumnus I met), you’re going to be in for a culture shock when you go from living in a rich, sheltered area to attending university in one of the poorest areas in Los Angeles, where two thirds of your classmates are on financial aid, and white people make up less than 34% of the student body. USC is just a highly ranked university that kids go to to enable their dreams. And I have a feeling that it’s not only rich, white and spoiled people that have dreams.
Thanks for the PM, I’ll put my response here for the benefit of public record:
Hey, I wasn’t offended at all - sorry if you thought my response was abrasive or anything, that wasn’t the intent. I was just taking a hard stance and putting the word out there for anyone that might be sharing the doubts you have.
You don’t have to worry about what I think, I’m not in charge of your admissions decision, though I do wish you the best of luck. I think you have the right mindset - if you choose to attend USC you need thick skin. My parents make nothing and I’m here on full financial aid. One day if I have a nice job and a nice car, people will say it was given to me by my parents. They see the USC number plate frame on the back of a Porsche and say it’s the result of privileges they never had. There will always be people out there looking to undermine your accomplishments to excuse their own failures.
I learnt to stop caring about being perceived wrongly by lazy and bitter people who make excuses for themselves and blame the world for its injustice. That never stopped me traversing continents, escaping poverty, and ending up at the one and only U of Southern California. Anyone who graduated from USC weathers this as a rite of passage, even if not quite as dramatic. That’s why the Trojan family is so strong - we have all achieved a point of maturity where we understand that you should value plenty more the perception of those close to you, as there is very little you can do to sway those who are already prejudiced in their opinion. We help each other out, because success involves putting one’s ego below friends and family, which to me, USC is both.
A wise man once said, “The people who always think they know your story have usually never finished a book in their life.”
Best wishes, hope you get some good news in the coming months.
@epicer Thanks for the reply!
I’m happy to hear that you’re getting so much money from USC. It’s my dream school, but at full price value, it isn’t an obtainable dream. You give me hope that maybe I will be able to afford the school!
I agree with you 100%. I try not to care or think about how people, meaning strangers and those not close to me, think of me. You know, I am who I am, and people have to take me for that. You clearly understand that point well, and I think it’s awesome that you haven’t let it get in the way of doing what’s best for you. Thanks for the wishes. I’m hopeful too!
For anyone wondering: my PM was just apologizing if I came across as ignorant in my original message, and then I went on to try to clarify some points.
Just to clarify the statement that two thirds are getting financial aid, per USC:
“Two-thirds of USC undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, including merit scholarships, need-based grants, Federal Work-Study and loans.”
There are plenty of people actually paying for and borrowing a lot of money to attend USC. Many prospects get confused by the statement that USC meets 100% of need. This can mean if you make too much to go for free, but not enough to still feed your family or make your house payment if you have to dish out $70K a year (which is over $100K gross for most typically hard working middle class people that are not looking for a free ride,) then your financial aid is loans that you or your parents can take. And they pay their way, eventually one way or another.
The idea that schools call loans financial aid doesn’t site right with a lot of people and is worth clarifying to avoid disappointment by many that happens every year.
I’m a spring admit, so I’ve only been at USC for two weeks, but here’s my take so far
I’m from a pretty bad area in Los Angeles (East LA) and although it’s not as bad as the area surrounding USC if you venture too far off-campus, it’s still pretty bad. Anyway, when I’ve told a few students where I’m from, seemingly none seem to know where it’s at. One guy even asked if by “east” LA, I meant one of the valleys.
There’s certainly a lot of white people! I don’t mind it (and I actually like that there’s at least three blond guys in each one of my classes, hehe), but you would think there’s more than just 33% Caucasians (or at least, I get that impression from the classes I’m taking). Some of the students do seem like they might be “stuck up” and it makes me scared to engage in conversation with most of them. However, there are some really nice people. One of the Caucasian girls in my Spanish class wants to be some type of activist and believes that people of all hues should have access to the same type of jobs and she’s just a very friendly gal. On the other hand, there’s like this blond surfer dude that takes off his shoes and is barefoot during most of the class and that just comes off as disrespectful to me.
So overall, there may very well be plenty of the type you’ve mentioned, but there some very nice ones - seems like it would be the same case at most schools
