<p>I am from the Midwest & I've heard a lot about people from here going to school in California & ending up feeling out of place/hating it & transferring to a different school for their sophomore (and junior & senior) year.
I was wondering how true this is. If anyone from out of the area goes to USC or any other California school and could let me know how the transition went, how you like the school now, the people, etc; I would really appreciate it.
I went to visit USC & I liked it & thought everyone seemed nice but now that I've heard so many stories of non-Californians going to California for college & hating it, I'm getting a little skeptical.
Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>When I first read your post I’ll admit I couldn’t decide if it was serious or not. </p>
<p>Your questions and concerns are so vague that it’s impossible to answer them effectively. Why don’t you tell us what you’ve heard specifically and we’ll try and address your concerns. Until then consider that USC has a freshman retention rate of 97% equivalent to Harvard, UCLA and just 1% less than Stanford. That means that about 89 of this year’s 2,972 enrolling freshman won’t be coming back. That’s a very small number and statistically it seems unlikely that all 89 will be from the Midwest. </p>
<p>Students choose to transfer to other schools for lots of reasons - homesickness, academic issues, financial issues etc. They also transfer out of their in-state universities for those same reasons. It’s also easier to tell people that “you felt out of place” when in fact you partied so hard that you flunked out. If you visited SC and felt good about the place and the people I’d put more stock in that information than “so many” stories about kids you may or may not have met.</p>
<p>Finally I can guarantee you that there are students from the Midwest who can’t imagine going anywhere else. I know a few personally, one being my freshman son.</p>
<p>Sorry for the vagueness. I’ll try to specify. A few people my mom works with had kids who chose to go to California for college. They had trouble transitioning and felt like they didn’t belong because they weren’t from California (the California culture is quite different from the Midwest culture). Because of this they ended up coming back to the Midwest for college. They did not flunk out, they simply did not feel at home in California. </p>
<p>I apologize if this is still vague. I’m not sure how to make it any more specific. </p>
<p>Put simply, I’d like to hear from students/parents from the Midwest who went to school in California about their transition/making friends/feeling at home in California.</p>
<p>But thank you for your data. I did not know that the retention rate was so high.
Also, thanks for saying your son feels at home there even though he’s from the Midwest. You answered my question.</p>
<p>letmein18, Northern California feels very different from Southern California, and attending UCs (public universities like UCLA or Berkeley) will feel very different from private universities like USC because of the student geographic makeup. The UCs, being state schools, take a much higher percentage of in-state students. Any OOS students might feel that difference for a little while, but most get right into the spirit, make friends, love the weather, and enjoy. For schools like USC, where about half the students come from out of state, that isn’t an issue. My S has friends from Detroit area, Rhode Island, Paris, Northern California (like a different state!–heh) and Canada. </p>
<p>Of course, there will be a difference if you are coming from a small town and attending college in any large city. But you know how much adventure you like, how much spirit you have to meet new people and try new activities. Most everybody feels some homesickness, and it really shouldn’t have anything to do with California or any state.</p>
<p>I guess I’ve never stayed in California for more than a week or so, but I did move from Oklahoma to Washington so I might have a little bit of background to help you.</p>
<p>Washington and California are both, obviously, West Coast. The west coast is quite a bit different from the mid-west, and too be honest the first 3-4 months I felt pretty out of place. When comparing the “bible-belt” to the WC your going to notice quite a few differences. The people in California/Oregon/Washington are a lot more liberal; definitely a lot more drugs, diversity, ect. Obviously the kind of people you enjoy being around is subjective, but, from a mid-westerner to a mid-westerner, your probably not going to find as many friendly people out West, but they are definitely there. All that being said, I have adapted, although I’ve still kept many of my mid-west morals and refrain from drugs, ect. I love it out here, and, if given the choice to move back, I wouldn’t.</p>
<p>Now, hopefully I haven’t scared you or anything, because the WC is really a great place. The natural beauty of the mountains, ocean, forests will literally take your breath away (well, really anything compared to the “rolling” plaines of Oklahoma took my breath away!). I am incredibly happy and feel very comfortable living in Washington despite the differences from my upbringing.</p>
<p>At most you’ll probably feel a little bit uncomfortable for a few months, but nothing too hindering! It is honestly nothing to worry about, just new experiences.</p>
<p>As for college being a hotbed of drugs and immorality I’ll caution you that with the exception of the service academies and a handful of religious based schools, nearly all colleges are going to be more liberal than you’re used to. Alcohol and drug consumption exist on every campus with crystal meth being a particular scourge at many midwest schools. How involved you get in those things will be completely your decision.</p>
<p>A lot of adjustment issues come from the expectations you bring with you to campus. If you expect campus, any campus, to be “just like home” then you’re going to be in for a tough time. If you come to campus open-minded about having a roommate, meeting people from around the country and around the world, if you’re open to considering new ways of thinking about things then you’ll have an easier and more exciting time. Beyond classes, college is about coming to the realization that the world you grew up in is not the only answer. You may find that your upbringing has a lot of great aspects to it, you will also be exposed to people with very different life experiences who firmly believe their upbringing was just as valid. Education doesn’t just come from books.</p>
<p>There are adjustments to make when a student moves from one region of the country to another. I llive in a southern state. Often northern students find the customs, accents and traditions are different from their home area. It is not just an adjustment from the midwest to the the west.</p>
<p>At SC there are over 80 religious organizations. A student can find a “second home” in one of these groups. Many have full schedules of dinners, social events, religious services and opportunities for religious study.</p>
<p>OP,
The west coast IS a lot more liberal than the midwest, AND it is also much more racially mixed than the midwest. USC in particular has a very diverse blend of students, particularly for a private, vrs public U.
I dont know what WC colleges they were admitted to but perhaps your friends were uncomfortable being in the minority, either politically or racially, for the first time in their lives? Regardless, being here is a very enlightening experience and many who come to the WC for college end up staying.
This is the makeup of USC’s class of 2016. It is reflective of many areas on the WC these days. It is makes for a very dynamic student population.
Race/Ethnicity
African American 7%
Latino / Hispanic 12%
Native American / Pacific Islander 2%
Asian / Asian American 25%
Caucasian 39%
International (student visa holders) 15%</p>
<p>Leaving Ohio to come out west for college was one of the best things I ever did.</p>
<p>I’m not a college student but I’m from the Midwest. I lived in Southern California for 10 years and I loved it. You will find people from all over the country (and the world) in Ca. My S and I also visited USC and it seems like a vibrant and welcoming campus. BTW, some Midwestern cities are very diverse such as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland to name a few.</p>
<p>Hey everyone! Thanks for all the answers. You’ve definitely calmed my fears.
I’d just heard a lot of stories, mostly from my parents, about non-California raised freshman hating California because it was “so different.”
I’m starting to think maybe my parents are a bit opposed to the idea of my going so far away and that’s why they told me that.
Based on all your responses and other research I’ve done, I’m sure that the West Coast is a great place to live and I would definitely love it there.
So thank you for that.
Also, regarding the liberal change, I live in Madison, about a mile from UW. It’s a very liberal city. It’s often referred to as 78 square miles surrounded by reality. So, I’m not worried about the differing political views or drug traps (we have those here). However, I really appreciate those warnings/tips as well.
I’m also really grateful for the advice about having an open mind. I knew campus wouldn’t feel like home but those are really great things to think about. I love meeting new people so a diverse campus would be wonderful!
I just really want to thank all of you for helping calm my fears and helping me realize how great California is, no matter where your home town is.
Thank you all so much!</p>
<p>Glad you are open minded. I just wanted to mention your parents aren’t entirely wrong. Ca is “different” and the people are generally different from Midwesterners. You’ll see what I mean if you move there. Midwesterners are typically down to earth and possess a good deal of common courtesy. When a friend told me Californians were self-centered before I moved there, I thought she was crazy, how could a whole state be categorized that way? I found out what she meant by that. There is a level of self-absorption that you will encounter, but there is so much more than that if you look. It’s a great place to live, with tons to do and lots of great people doing wonderful things. Best of luck!</p>
<p>^ Wow. 10 char</p>
<p>“There is a level of self-absorption that you will encounter’”
My my my… I could mention some sweeping, possibly inaccurate, but widely held beliefs about people from the Middle part of the county, but that would be considered discourteous, unlike some people from that region…</p>
<p>as alamemom, another USC parent said, just wow…</p>
<p>I’m often left scratching my head at the number of people on cc who assume a post or question that is out of their world view is a joke. But I digress…</p>
<p>OP: I grew up in Madison. I went east to college and that was a culture shock. I’d never met anyone from Long Island before, let alone from Queens or the Philadelphia Main Line. Point being - college is the ideal time to broaden your horizons and open your eyes.</p>
<p>Yes, the culture at USC is going to be a lot different from that of UW-Madison, but not <em>completely</em> different. We visited there a few months ago and were wowed by the beauty of campus. They play football and have sororities too (if that’s what you are into). The kids will still be nice - okay there is really nothing like “midwest nice” LOL but again, that’s life. You will be fine getting out of the coccoon, and when you’ve graduated, if you really need to get back to Madison, it will still be there. Good luck to you -</p>
<p>I’m not specifically referring to USC or any college. I am talking about my impression of California as a whole. I lived there for 10 years and I’m entitled to my opinion as you or anyone else is regarding the Midwest. I’ve also lived on the East Coast, CT for three years and although CT has a reputation, according to my CT neighbors, for being “the coldest state in the country” (not temperature) I found it one of the friendliest areas I’ve ever lived, as was CA. I mentioned some very positive things about CA. I think it’s a wonderful place to live.</p>