<p>Here’s reviews of both colleges from The Princeton Review:</p>
<p>University Of Southern California</p>
<p>"The University of Southern California boasts “a dynamic and culturally diverse campus located in a world-class city which is equally dynamic and culturally diverse.” Everything related to cinema is “top notch.” Among the other 150 or so majors here, programs in journalism, business, engineering, and architecture are particularly notable. The honors programs are “very good,” too. One of the best perks about USC is its “large and enthusiastic alumni network.” Becoming “part of the Trojan Family” is a great way to jumpstart your career because USC graduates love to hire other USC graduates. “Almost everyone talks about getting job offers based solely on going to USC.” “The school seems to run very smoothly, with few administrative issues ever being problematic enough to reach the awareness of the USC student community,” says an international relations major. The top brass “is a bit mysterious and heavy handed,” though. Also, “they milk every dime they can get from you.” Academically, some students call the general education courses “a complete waste of time.” There are a few “real narcissists” on the faculty as well as some professors “who seem to just be there because they want to do research.” Overall, though, students report that professors “make the subject matter come alive” and make themselves “very available” outside the classroom. “My academic experience at USC is fabulous,” gushes an aerospace engineering major. “I would not choose any other school.”
“The one thing that unites everyone here is “tons of Trojan pride.” USC students are also “intensely ambitious” and, while there are some “complete slackers,” many students hit the books “harder then they let on.” Otherwise, students insist that, “contrary to popular belief, USC has immense diversity.” “The stereotypical USC student is a surfer fraternity bro or a tan, trendy sorority girl from the O.C.” You’ll find plenty of those. Many students are also “extremely good looking.” Ethnic minorities and a high number of international students make up sizeable contingents of the undergraduate population as well. If you’re gay, you shouldn’t have any problems. “No one cares what your gender orientation is,” says a first-year student. “The only important question is whether or not you can be hooked up with.” There are “prissy L.A. types” and “spoiled” kids. In some circles, “family income and the brands of clothes you wear definitely matter.” However, “though there are quite a few who come from mega wealth, there are also many who are here on a great deal of financial aid.” There are “lots of nerds,” too, and a smattering of “band geeks and film freaks.” Most students don’t stray too far from the mainstream, though. “You have to go out of your way to find funky people,” advises a sophomore.”
“Students at USC complain quite a bit about their “smelly, ugly” housing. Recreation facilities aren’t much, either. “For such an athletic school, the student gym is embarrassing.” Also, students stress the fact that the area around USC is “impoverished” and “notoriously unsafe.” “People get mugged all the time.” On campus, though, life is “vibrant.” There are more than 600 student organizations. Theatrical and musical productions are “excellent.” School spirit is “extreme” and “infectious.” “Football games are huge.” “There is absolutely nothing that can top watching our unbelievable football team throttle the competition,” says a merciless sophomore. “Drinking is a big part of the social scene” as well. “We definitely have some of the sickest parties ever,” claims an impressed freshman. “Greek life is very big” and, on the weekends, a strong contingent of students “religiously” visits “The Row, the street lined with all the fraternity and sorority houses.” Students also have “the sprawling city of Los Angeles as their playground.” It’s an “eclectic place with both high and low culture and some of the best shopping in the world.” “Hollywood clubs and downtown bars” are popular destinations. Art exhibits, concerts, and “hip restaurants” are everywhere. However, “you need a car.” L.A. traffic may be “a buzz kill” but students report that it’s considerably preferable to the “absolutely terrible” public transportation system.”</p>
<p>Stanford University</p>
<p>“Students insist that Stanford is “the most amazing school in the country, with a great mix of academics, athletics, and weather,” and it’s hard to argue with them. The school really does offer it all to the laid-back-but-ambitious crowd lucky enough to receive an invite to attend; as one student puts it, “Stanford essentially disproves the theorem that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Undergrads here “can and are able to do so much.” Take, for example, the anthropology major who reported “great opportunities such as researching over the summer in the Peruvian Amazon and working with the Center for Ecotourism and Sustainable Development to create a network of indigenous leaders interested in ecotourism.” Or the myriad super-curious here who extol “the many interdisciplinary majors: human biology; history, literature, and the arts; materials science and engineering; symbolic systems; science technology and society; public policy; modern thought and literature; urban studies… It’s amazing how many different fields you can combine.” And perhaps best of all, “There is not any counter productive cut-throat competition. Staff and students are all very supportive of each other, and it’s really an environment where you can explore and succeed.””
“Stanford undergrads describe each other in terms so rapturous it makes one wonder whether there isn’t something a little funny about the campus water supply. These “ambitions, driven, and incredibly intelligent” people include every form of high achiever; writes one, “I have been fortunate enough to meet a professional cartoonist, several Olympic athletes, an international math Olympiad participant, a professional rapper, a concert violinist, an equestrian champion, a national rugby champion, and so many other talented people just in my 89-person dorm. There are people who have run with the bulls in Pamplona, ski race every weekend, have written published books, and that ever-elusive person who actually won the national science fair in eighth grade.” The vibe is “definitely chill…. There isn’t any of the East Coast snobbery/aristocracy here that I picture at the Ivies.” Is there anything negative one can say about these people? “There are barely any fat people,” one student offers. Ah ha, but there are some. That will likely have to do.”
““Everyone studies all the time, and a lot of people work and are involved with extracurriculars” at Stanford. They also “work out and volunteer. Basically, people try to be perfect.” The school “offers so many extracurriculars that it’s impossible for students to not be involved and feel welcome,” helping to “offset academic stresses” that can be considerable, especially for engineers and premeds. Indeed, “It would be easy to be at Stanford, not take classes and still be busy. There is always something going on: theater performances, a cappella concerts, small-scale concerts every Thursday, major concerts at least once a year, row house parties every weekend…. It’s possible to go out Wednesday through Saturday night.” Day to day life here “revolves around the amazing sense of dorm community and the great athletic teams.” Stanford prides itself on its robust intercollegiate athletic programs, and “Everyone at Stanford lives and breathes Cardinal red.” Residential choices “vary. You can live in a great Row House with a huge room and a private chef, or a one-room double in a dorm with awful food. There are a lot of options: dorms, houses, co-ops, apartments, and suites.” Students generally avoid Palo Alto (“It’s soooo expensive!”), but do find the cash to visit equally pricey San Francisco when their schedules permit.”</p>
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