<p>Hey :) I am currently deciding between USC (where I really really want to go) and UW(my local university that is going to be more cost affective) although I'm still waiting to see if i got any USC scholarships.</p>
<p>Anyone up to writing a pro/con list for USC? I know a lot about UW but not so much about USC. (from what I google it looks effin awesome) although my dad who grew up close to that area (mind you in the 60s/70s) says its in a ghetto area lol</p>
<p>Also I was rejected from UCSD, my previous dream school, which has a much higher acceptance rate than USC. Is this odd, or does this happen often?</p>
<p>shoot maybe i should mention my major at present is environmental science and health. I also want to explore writing and journalism, are there opportunities for that at USC without it being my major? :-?? ahh i love these emoticon things haga :bz </p>
<p>@madryran - yes. It does happen. And it usually has nothing to do with a student’s qualifications. Most people think college decisions hinge on stats, but in the end - among highly qualified students - it often hinges on subjective things in the applicant file. Which is why I love that USC is so holistic. </p>
<p>Congrats on having such great options. My D is exploring at two different minors or a double major. I love that USC is very flexible in offering those options. I suspect UW is the same way. So it may come down to which college is a better fit for your personality if the money is doable. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve visited USC and I can confirm the campus is AMAZING. USC invests a lot of money in its environment, installing colored brick roads, which gives a pleasant feel when you’re used to walking on gray cement in urban areas. There’s a huge fountain near their admission building, and there’s tons of vegetations everywhere. They are also constantly constructing new buildings for future students. Basically, out of my visit at USC, all the buildings I had been to were modern. </p>
<p>The school culture in USC is also amazing, which I think is the best part about a college. People there all believe in what USC stands for, you can see it in the way that people walk around and talk to each other - basically every one looks happy. It’s more than a school, it’s a place you feel attached to. There’s also positive, shared values that the “Trojan family” stands for - ambitious, integrity, fairness, etc. I think the school is not only about academic, but also develops their student’s character, so that they would take the knowledge they gain from USC to apply it in positive ways. </p>
<p>anyways, cost can be a heavy factor too. GL on deciding between your two choices man.</p>
<p>Congrats. USC has the first (not sure if it still is the only) pre-health newspaper run completely by students for students! It is called Trojan Health Connection and you can find it on Facebook and check it out. If you are interested in journalism and health care, there are so many other options too. </p>
<p>Anyone can join the Daily Trojan-- the main daily USC newspaper-- and they encourage freshman to start as soon as they want. </p>
<p>hey thanks you guys for all the great info. No, I haven’t visited USC but I’m planning a visit soon.</p>
<p>I would love to get involved on the Daily Trojan. </p>
<p>Three more things I’ve been thinking about if anybody had any ideas on them:</p>
<p>-Is USC’s social life based on parties? I don’t see something wrong with this, I just am not a huge drinker and worry about all my roommates or friends being big partiers and me being isolated haha. I’m also a little young for my grade and will be 17 still for a week or two Makes me feel so young…</p>
<p>-I heard about USC’s different types of dorms like one themed"Go Outdoors" and one for women in science or something similar. Would you recommend joining these and do they fill up fast? </p>
<p>-I have also heard about “The Village” that the university is building. Is this way into the future or will I get a chance to see this by the time I’m a senior?</p>
<p>USC has been buying up a LOT of the properties that become available and converting them into student housing. Light rail and buses also serve USC, which will help people get around without a car.</p>
<p>Our S was on the Great Outdoors" floor his freshman year and enjoyed it. They went hiking, camping, to the beach, and skiing, as well as to football games. He also joined Ultimate and formed a rock climbing club and USC helped purchase supplies for it. Our D took up fencing and polo at USC (lovely equestrian center). </p>
<p>Neither of my kids are much in the way of partiers or drinkers but both enjoyed USC, as did their friends (many from HS and others made in college). There are fraternities and sororities, but no one HAS to join to have a good social life. There are a LOT of activities on campus.</p>
<p>A good overnight visit would be useful to get a better feel for the school, especially if you can visit some of the courses and departments you are particularly interested in. As a parent, we thought the campus was lovely and for our kids, it was convenient that it was fairly compact so you could easily get from one part of campus to another in 10 - 15 minutes or less instead of 30+ minutes at larger campuses. It’s a great campus for scooters or bikes, as it is flat (no hills, unlike UW).</p>
<p>One of D’s friends was on the yearbook and newsletter in HS and later at USC. She is now in her dream job, working in NY at a major publishing house, editing works in English and French! Another was USC yearbook editor for several years and is now working on TV series, as cinema grad.</p>
<p>There are a lot of amazing opportunities at both schools and it’s great you have these wonderful choices. One issue is whether you or your family will have to take out huge amounts of debt in order for you to go to either U. Lots of debt would be a huge concern, especially in the current uncertain job market that in my crystal ball continues to be uncertain.</p>
<p>I am already feeling attached to USC and I still don’t know if I’ll be able to afford it–oops.</p>
<p>Although I’ve always seen myself as more of a NorCal kinda gal-LA has never really beckoned me…it is definitely an interesting city and would be a change of pace to the rainy, dark, coffee-drinking flannel-wearing seattle ;)</p>
<p>Also I am ready for a new shade for my skin besides fluorescent vampire and I’m guessing the location of the school in such a vibrant city does make it more fun and exciting. Is it common for students if they have free time to go hang out at the beach or city or are they more likely to hang around campus? </p>
<p>I still have not heard anything back from USC about financial aid …I hope it’s normal for financial info to come out at this time and this doesn’t mean I’m not getting any money lol
thank you all this is a really nice resource to have while deciding on where to go!
fight on :)>- </p>
<p>p.s. do you think its a good idea or necessary I bring my car to USC or would I be alright leaving it at home…I’ve only heard things about the LA public transport system and they weren’t pretty…</p>
<p>Our kids didn’t have cars until their senior years at USC. They did have friends who had cars but there is a free shuttle and also a very low cost bus that serves campus. There are also smart cars available on campus that you can rent by the hour. Parking on campus is expensive and one more hassle. At least for freshman year, I would think living on campus you wouldn’t need a car (and as I said our kids didn’t get cars until their senior years).</p>
<p>Really compare your financial packages and see what your net cost will be for your college options. Do NOT take on a crushing debt load and remember that you will need to figure out how to pay for all 4 years of your education.</p>
<p>One thing that was helpful to us was that USC does offer a payment plan so that for a fee of $40-50 per semester, you can make 5 payments instead of one huge payment for the semester. We did that to help make paying out of current earnings somewhat more realistic, even though we did dip into savings. The payment plan also did allow us to charge the payments on our credit card (which we paid off as soon as the statement arrived). This gave us a little more time to get our finances together to make each of the payments.</p>
<p>If you are able to get campus parking, I believe it would be a fee on your school bill. I believe such parking is very limited and upper class students have preference, but my kids never sought campus parking so I have no experience. </p>
<p>There are also Zip cars around campus to rent for the hour, day as needed if you don’t want the expense of having a car at USC. D had her car for a year and decided it wasn’t worth the $800 parking fee. She uses the Metro, goes with friends in their cars, or uses Zip car. </p>
<p>Getting parking wasn’t an issue- there is a parking lottery in the summer for the lot you want. D got the one she wanted next to her living location. She just found that she didn’t use her car enough for us to pay the fee. </p>
<p>Driving in LA is also a challenge for those who aren’t used to heavy traffic and stupid/aggressive drivers :)</p>
<p>hey! I am also trying to decide between UW and USC! I received a quarter tuition scholarship but even with the merit aid, the total cost of attendance will be about 50,000 a year which is a lot more than UW in-state…and because I’m on the pre-med track, it’s hard to justify spending that much money for an undergrad education. It sucks because USC is my top choice right now but I definitely want to hear more about each school before I make a choice!</p>
<p>If you plan to go to med school, you need to keep your costs down. Go to UW for your BS and then maybe USC or elsewhere for med school. Having huge debt as an undergrad will greatly limit your options. Celebrate having such a great option you can attend at a low price!</p>
Makes me feel so young…</p>
I was just wondering in case I could cover the cost with my Cal Grant, since it’s technically a fee. :P</p>