Weekends at USC and dorms

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>My daughter is down to her final decision - deciding between UNC-Chapel Hill, Indiana, Florida, Texas and USC. Though she/we are excited about USC, we do have two major concerns. </p>

<p>What percent of students do not get into a dorm following freshman year? We have heard that housing is not guaranteed, and are concerned about the safety issue in off- campus housing. </p>

<p>Is there a lot to do on-campus on the weekend - or is there a need to get off-campus (downtown LA or the Grove)? Are there good (and safe to get to) pizza parlors and coffehouses within walking distance? Does the student union show feature films? Do a large number of students attend basketball games? If you don't have a car, do students use public transportation to get to the LA symphony, etc. Since our daughter will be coming from Ohio, it is doubtful she would ever have a car on campus. I'm concerned the the enclosed walls would become a little suffocating after awhile - but wonder, how far one must go to have a change of pace.</p>

2

<p>Housing is guaranteed for 2 years, however most Sophomores through Seniors live north of the campus (in university owned housing or private housing) as the campus itself is quite small. The neighborhood isn’t that bad, just requires students make smart decisions.</p>

<p>During the Fall most students stay around since it’s football season. About 50 percent of the students are from California, although not all of them from SoCal, so even in Spring people stay around to enjoy LA.</p>

<p>People don’t usually use public transit, but either know someone who has a car, or use Zipcar. There are alot of activities on campus, including concerts, screenings and lectures. There is a tram to take people to LA Live on the weekends, which has a new theater.</p>

3

<p>At SC there are about 600 clubs/organizations. As Trojan chick mentioned there are films and activities on campus. This weekend at Bovard there is Songfest. </p>

<p>There is a campus calendar. Listed are concerts, plays, lectures, exhibits, films, opera, musical theatre and Visions & Voices. In addition there are volleyball and basketball at the new Galen Center and football in the fall. </p>

<p>For those who love music there are A Capella groups, small ensembles and the Concert Orchestra (for students not in the premier USC Symphony Orchestra.) </p>

<p>SC now has its own boat for trips to Catalina Island and the marine center.</p>

<p>Opening this fall will be the brand new student center. It will be a center of activity with meeting rooms, a full scale restaurant, small auditorium, reception rooms, Caifornia Pizza Kitchen and Lemonade (casual dining) and more.</p>

<p>Around 80 religious groups are represented. Some have websites. They offer a whole series of trips, dinners, socials and services.</p>

<p>If one wants to keep fit there is the olympic pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts etc.</p>

<p>Although SC is well represented in D1 major sports there are “club” sports such as: tennis, baseball and even hockey. Students have coaches, SC uniforms and competitions in these sports.</p>

<p>Moms have posted about RAs arranging trips to the Getty Museum, beaches, downtown concerts and Disneyland.</p>

<p>There will be two metro stations at the edge of campus. When completed the system will make large areas of Los Angeles within easy access.</p>

4

<p>I did check on the percentage of students who live on campus freshman year. It is 98.1%.</p>

5

<p>If you want to live in USC residence buildings all four years, than you certainly can. Id say it might be easier to find USC housing than outside lenders.</p>

6

<p>Georgia Girl,
Can you tell me where to find more info on the USC boat to Catalina Island? Thanks.</p>

7

<p>Jean,
Boat transportation is available by reservation to USC students AT NO CHARGE M-TH, weather permitting, to the Marine Science Center at Catalina Island. The boat leaves early in the morning and leaves about 3:30 in the afternoon.<br>
For much more information click on Marine Science Center on the USC website, [University</a> of Southern California](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu%5DUniversity”>http://www.usc.edu) .<br>
You can call Denise Grills for transportation information: 310 510 4090. Other numbers you may need are: Wrigley Marine Science Center: 310 510 0811 or Director, David Caron at 213 740 0203.<br>
An e-mail address regarding transportation is: <a href=“mailto:wiesboat@usc.edu”>wiesboat@usc.edu</a> .</p>

<pre><code> You will need transporation to the boat launching site from the SC campus. Perhaps Ms. Grills may be able to give you suggestions.

There is commercial transport to Avalon at the other end of the island from the mainland.
</code></pre>

8

<p>To add to that, the USC Wrigley Institute (That’s what the USC campus on Catalina is called) is open to all USC students to visit for day-trips. You’d be pretty silly to go there and just bus over to Avalon all day though. The Wrigley Institute has kayaks, wetsuits and snorkels free for students to rent out. And you can go hiking. And the campus is absolutely beautiful.</p>