<p>USC and Carnegie Mellon are very different schools. I suggest that you choose your university based upon the best match of academic program that meets your interests, NOT based upon the kinds of kids who go to these schools. For example, you not only apply into a specific major at Carnegie Mellon, it can be difficult to change majors within Engineering there. At USC Viterbi Engineering, you also apply into a specific Engineering major, but it is generally easier to switch majors within Viterbi. Also, Viterbi has more female engineering students than Carnegie Mellon. These schools are very different. Visit and see for yourself, and the differences are much greater than the kinds of kids who go there.</p>
<p>I came from the midwest and I was very concerned that the students were going to be all blonde, thin, pretty, and extremely stuck up and wealthy. I am very happy to say that I was wrong and that I have actually met very few of these people. (Yes, they exist, but they will exist at any school... and they are mainly contained in one sorority here so I just don't have to interact with them - I am sure this will elicit some negative responses however I am just speaking my opinion). There is a very diverse population here and whatever kind of people you like to hang out with, you will be able to find them here.</p>
<p>USC? Weak academically? Are you kidding me? #1 it's ranked 27th on USNWR but also one of the top 5 up and coming schools as it is attracting more and more kids that are NMF and such. People around my area, (torrance) think of USC as some stuck up school and yet they place UCLA on some pedestal as if it is the greatest school in America. Truth be told USC will probably surpass UCLA academically in the next couple years.</p>
<p>It's ranked #27, but is probably a lot better school than some at the top of USNews ranking.</p>
<p>I feel it's better than UCLA and UC Berkeley which are ranked 25 and 21 resectively.</p>
<p>You can't really judge USC against the UCs simply because the difference between public and private schools is too great. The UCs dont get nearly as much funding and as USC, and so their resources are scarce for the huge amount of students they have. The rankings take endowment greatly into consideration, which is why the top 20 schools are ALL privates. In terms of academics, each school specializes in different areas. USC has a prestigious cinematics school, while Cal's research and graduate schools are world reknown. But none of these schools are "academically weak."</p>
<p>Large diverse universities are blessed with enough kids so almost anyone will find their own special group of friends. At USC, you get a lot of talented, smart and fun students to choose from. For partiers and football fans, there are great parties and a lot of winning games. But that's far from all the school offers. For serious scholars, there's Thematic Option honors classes that offer high achieving students special classes for their GE requirements with top professors. If singing is your thing, there are a cappella groups--one of which recently won a national competition. And there's everything else you could think of, from kids into ballroom dancing, racquetball, sororities, working with inner city kids, clubbing, religious groups, skiing, and kids who are serious students in every academic area from marketing to chemical engineering to neuroscience. At USC you will find people with similar interests, senses of humor, from all across the country and the world, quiet types or wild ones, fashionistas or anti-fashion, and you'll form your own community.</p>
<p>There are always going to be kids from your HS that you don't respect or care for that end up at your university--it can happen no matter where you end up. At a large university it's much less of an issue--you just end up hanging with completely different crowds. Whatever college you select, get involved right away in clubs and activities and classes that reflect your true interests because that's where you will meet the people you will want as friends for life.</p>
<p>Gotta agree with the cute little kittens thing... and puppies too. Usually they get a kitten and puppy to fight until they injure themselves gravely, then throw them in a bag, beat them up with Tommy Trojan's fake sword, light a fire with dollar bills to burn the poor things to death, and then drive to the ocean in their parent's Mercedes to toss the body in the water. Then they go to a stuffy Beverly Hills restaurant to celebrate the event. Every horrible stereotype you have heard is true!</p>
<p>OK, I am kidding... just a tiny little bit. A university of that size can be whatever you make it to be. The downside is that you should not expect to be pulled along by a strong current established by the rest of the student body.</p>
<p>There is a niche for everyone at USC. Thats all you need to know.</p>