<p>We are visiting SC in early September. I want my son to see what life might be like as a Trojan. Given that there is no "college town" to hang out in, where do students typically go when they leave campus?</p>
<p>Don’t know what you mean by “no college town” unless you are talking a rural setting where there are bar fights with the locals. 
Thinking Rudy and Notre Dame or some other midwest school in a typical stereotyped “college town” USA. Most urban schools have much more to do and offer than the limited drinking/cruising college town type school. At USC — LA, Socal and the beaches, attractions is their playground.</p>
<p>It’s LA. Students have plenty to do, maybe not with their parents, but as students, yes. If you want him to see Trojan life, send him to visit a friend/student there. He won’t really see it with you. If with parents, go to LA Live for dinner. Total LA scene a few blocks away.</p>
<p>Based on conversations between my brother and I, who was a '12 Trojan, his friends would frequent Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, Redondo Beach, a myriad of concerts and shows in Los Angeles, Ground Zero (a popular comedy club), et cetera. Trojans party as much as the typical American university, and there many students who do not party at all. </p>
<p>How you spend your time can be largely dependent on your will to experiment and explore. USC has a plethora of clubs that may be exactly what you’re looking for, or are uncharted havens that have the potential to hook you like no other. </p>
<p>Alcohol makes everything exciting. Do it. Yolo.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is a major center for communications, entertainment, international trade, business, aerospace, technology and education. The question is how to find the time to experience the unique diversity of cultures, entertainment and sports the area offers. </p>
<p>One thing you will discover about SC is students do not have to leave campus to enjoy music, theatre, sports, cinema and soon dance productions. The Thornton School of Music provides over 500 performances a year. Dramatic arts students have a season of plays or musicals. Add to this art exhibitions, film screenings and student originated concerts. Visions & Voices offers multimedia performances. The university has 21 D-1 sports teams and numerous club sports. Over 80 religious organizations offer social and cultural activities. </p>
<p>In the Los Angeles area are Los Angeles Symphony performances, the Music Center, Staples Center, LA Live, neighborhood clubs, art galleries, theatres, Los Angeles Museum of Art, libraries, California Science Center, Griffith Park, Autry Nature Center, Arboretum, Getty Museum and in Pasadena the famous Norton Simon Museum.</p>
<p>For those who love the outdoors beaches, mountains and the desert are within driving distance. Students often go together in groups to Catalina Island or down the freeway to Universal Studios or Disneyland.</p>
<p>This is just a brief overview of student options…</p>
<p>USC has so much going on all the time, and LA offers so much more, that it really depends on what your son is into.</p>
<p>If he likes watching sports, check to see what games / events are going on when you are in town and go! </p>
<p>If he is into music, there are clubs and concerts–although I’d suggest you find something going on on-campus so he can see just how varied the offerings are. Then know he’ll have all of LA’s big arenas and concert venues to add to that.</p>
<p>If he is interested in the Cinema School, there are film screenings almost every night. You can call the Film school and perhaps get info.</p>
<p>You are arriving early in the semester, so there may (or may not yet) be theatre offerings from the School of Dramatic Arts.</p>
<p>If he wants to get a sense of where kids hang out on campus, you’ll want to see the Tutor Center (has a few restaurants, outdoor seating, people watching), the Bookstore, and several of the on-campus coffee houses/ clubs. </p>
<p>If he wants to see Los Angeles, you can get tickets to LA sports events, concerts, Disneyland and walk around Little Tokyo, eat Korean BBQ in Koreatown, catch a movie at LA Live, go to the beach and more–and that’s what a lot of kids do because sometimes it’s great to get off campus and explore.</p>
<p>Hope you have a great trip.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. For blueskies2day, a little background… We live in Boulder, CO. Within walking distance of campus, there are coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, shopping, theaters, music venues and art museums. The college kids here don’t typically get into bar fights with the PHD scientists from the research labs or the Olympic athletes training in town, but good to know that is a danger to watch out for. </p>
<p>So, for everyone else, it sounds like the college town thing (coffee house, bookstores, theaters, etc) happens on campus rather than off? Is that correct? </p>
<p>As far as all LA has to offer, I grew up in Pasadena, though it has been 30 years since I lived in the area. I get that there can be a lot to do in a major metropolitan area. It’s just all so spread out. I’d forgotten about the concept of GUD (geographically undesirable). Do USC students find that they can get around via the metro lines fairly easily to do the things they want to do or is it still all about the car?</p>
<p>Sadly, there seems to be a sort of lull in programming the weekend we are in LA. Seriously, it’s weird… nothing at LA Live (thanks for that heads up) no big theater shows, no symphony, no ballet (any other dance options someone can point me to?), little or nothing on campus other than football. </p>
<p>Sorry this is getting long. So potentially on the schedule (comments welcome) is: seeing a show at the Santa Monica Playhouse, eating at Shamshiri Grill, seeing the Hollywood Bowl, going to the beach (Santa Monica), bowling at LA Live and touring the Natural History Museum. Any tips on where to get good Korean BBQ?</p>
<p>Lived in Boulder for 3 years, yes it is certainly a coffee shop college town. In terms of things you mentioned - coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, shopping, theaters, music venues…there is plenty of that kind of thing in or around campus and downtown - LA Live is fun even without a concert or Lakers game going on. There are events there all the time that may not be on your radar. OP mentioned wanting to see what it is like to be a Trojan, but it seems like you are planning an adult vacation looking for things you want to do, not necessarily what students do. If there is a football game that weekend, there will be lots of atmosphere to take in and there is nothing like that stroll to the coliseum. Hit up the local eateries around campus, look for shows (like comedy clubs mentioned) that students go to. Going to USC but looking for all the things outside of it isn’t really seeing what it is like to be a Trojan. It’s LA and Socal so there is always Venice/Santa Monica, BH, etc., so you know they find plenty to do off campus, especially compared to a town like Boulder. I would try to get a feel for the campus more than the tourist stuff. imo.</p>
<p>IMO, the Metro Line extensions have made getting around much easier, so it might be a good idea to see where it goes and if anything that interests you is in that area.</p>
<p>When I want a great KBBQ (all-you-can-eat is the way to go) I go here, it’s the only place one of my Korean friends would go: [Yi</a> Ssi Hwa Ro - CLOSED - Koreatown - Los Angeles, CA](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/yi-ssi-hwa-ro-los-angeles]Yi”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/yi-ssi-hwa-ro-los-angeles)
It’s listed as possibly closed, but I think it’s due to a name change. Might want to call ahead to make sure.</p>
<p>Disney music hall is also quite near campus and has frequent performances. The admissions folks might be able to tell you what activities will be on or near campus the weekend you’ll be in town. Our D screened countless movies–sometimes watching 27 in a week. Touring the cinema school is fascinating with the autographed movie posters and its rotating exhibits. </p>
<p>By the way, what is the student hoping to study? If engineering, that school is also gorgeous. The student center has been rebuilt and is lovely and full of students most times I’ve been on campus. We have enjoyed attending two football games with our kids, there are other sports at Galen Center and elsewhere. </p>
<p>The gym has a climbing wall, which S enjoyed immensely his 4 years at USC. S formed a rockclimbing club and they climbed and camped on many weekends. D took up fencing one year and polo another. There is an equestrian center near campus.</p>
<p>A suggestion would be to make a guided tour reservation for your student. You could take one as well. Students usually feel more comfortable asking questions if parents are not there looking on. The SC tour guides are engaging and give spirited comments about student life on campus. I urge you to make a reservation for the USC School of Cinematic Arts tour, even if that is not your student’s interest. As one non-SC parent commented, " It was jaw dropping."</p>
<p>On campus visit the Hoose Library, one of many SC libraries. Bovard auditorium, the site of the USC Symphony Orchestra concerts, has been meticulously restored and is worth a brief visit as well. I second HImom’s suggestion to see the engineering school and then the School of Architecture. It is an experience just to walk around campus and observe the diversity of the student body and faculty.</p>
<p>Yes, I have self-toured the cinema school and browsed the exhibits and posters. There was a demo in progress of how they shoot and create animated robots on blue screen. They had a Cecile B DeMille exhibit, featuring some gorgeous props from his movies once. Another time, they had props from a contemporary movie–Avengers? Our D was proud to take us on a guided tour in her SR year. </p>
<p>We went during parents weekend to see the engineering school. They showed us some of the rockets and planes student clubs built and worked on. It was very cool. We toured the adjacent museum to campus. We stayed at Radisson twice because it was so close to campus. </p>
<p>We liked eating at Jack and Joe’s which was very near campus and quite popular. We made the trip about the kids and campus, not about H and me. Both kids chose to attend USC and are happy alums with many ties to their U.</p>
<p>Get ready for a long, long, long post. 
Have your cup of tea? OK.</p>
<p>OP, as you know from back when you lived in Pasadena, a big spread out city like L.A. has so much going on at any given time, it’s a little overwhelming for us to give you a quick take on what to do. There is just too much!! So, it takes a certain amount of focusing in on what one likes best among a wide array offerings. For students, it also requires a bit of adjustment for transportation if you don’t have a car with you. My S2 didn’t bring his car until junior year, and he got a kick out of using public transportation and free shuttles so it can be done. Also, many of our students’ friends often have cars, so one is never stranded. </p>
<p>OK, since you mentioned some non-sports activities were of interest, here are some ideas of what kids do on and off campus. Some may be fun for a mom & son (and good for your visit), others will just give an idea of the wide array of activities your S would be doing with friends:</p>
<p>***I’ve mentioned on other threads, USC sponsors VISIONS & VOICES [Visions</a> and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/]Visions”>http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/) events all around SoCal, providing free tickets and free transportation and often free dinner as well. However, most V&V presentations are on campus-- so even easier. If you want to sample one of the hundreds of cultural events brought to USC, please check out the schedule for your dates. </p>
<p>Sample of upcoming events:</p>
<p>Mike Farrell in Dr. Keeling’s Curve
By George Shea
Directed by Kirsten Sanderson, Produced by The Blank Theatre
Monday, September 9, 2013 : 7:00pm
Mike Farrell—a socially engaged artist and activist best known for his roles on M<em>A</em>S*H and Providence—stars as Dr. Charles David Keeling in an all-too-real and often funny one-man bio-play that makes global warming understandable, and reveals it to be anything but a myth.</p>
<p>Krump Workshops with Miss Prissy and Lil “C”
Wednesday, September 11, 2013; Friday, September 13, 2013 : 4:15pm - 5:30pm
Lil “C” and Miss Prissy, the king and queen of krump, will lead two workshops that will focus on the basics of krump, including chest pops, foot stomps and arm swings.</p>
<p>Elton John Goes Back to School
A Visions and Voices Signature Event
Monday, September 16, 2013 : 8:00pm
A very special evening of music, education and conversation will feature iconic singer/songwriter Elton John. The artist will perform selections from his new album The Diving Board and participate in a conversation with USC Thornton students.</p>
<p>Creativity and the Clinical Imagination
A Lecture by Nick Flynn
Thursday, September 26, 2013 : 4:00pm
Nick Flynn is the author of several books, including The Reenactments, a memoir that delves into neurobiology, human consciousness and the forming and re-forming of memory. Throughout his work, Flynn exposes truths, finds connections and illuminates our humanity within the dissonant space that is modern medicine.
All are open free to all USC students, and if you are interested in attending, I recommend you call V&V office and see if/how to arrange it. Tickets to the most popular events (like Elton) were by lottery, so that one may not be an option at this point. </p>
<p>For quirky fun things to do (random dates):</p>
<p>***Downtown L.A. hosts an GALLERY ART WALK every Thursday night, and once a month they have a gourmet Food Truck extravaganza:</p>
<p>Downtown LA Art Walk Dinner Food Trucks 6pm-11pm
Thursday, Sep 12, 2013
245 S Spring Street, Los Angeles CA (map)
Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk food truck event. 6pm-11pm, Corner of 3rd and Spring. Food Truck Vendors Visit Here to Book ([DINNER:</a> Once a Month DTLA Art Walk - Gourmet Food… Tickets, Los Angeles - Eventbrite](<a href=“Eventbrite - Discover Great Events or Create Your Own & Sell Tickets”>http://dtlatruckitfest-eorg.eventbrite.com/))</p>
<p>All the galleries stay open late.</p>
<p>***Like seeing vintage films in an outrageous Hollywood outdoor setting? Bring a cool picnic to CINESPIA [Calendar</a> | Cinespia](<a href=“http://cinespia.org/]Calendar”>http://cinespia.org/)</p>
<p>September 7: All About Eve September 14: Aliens</p>
<p>• Screenings are held on Fairbanks Lawn, a grassy field inside Hollywood Forever Cemetery under open skies.
• Bring blankets, pillows or low chairs that have a seat which rests on the ground with a low back.</p>
<p>***Great DINING ON CAMPUS options include:
USC’s new student center is called the Tutor Center and they have a number of cool options, many with seating both inside and outdoors, some brand new this year, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Verde–offering make-your-own burritos with fresh and authentic ingredients sourced from local venders.</li>
<li>Tutor Cafe–offering Indian food like samosas, chicken vindaloo and others</li>
<li>Traditions–BBQ, pulled pork nachos, and 50 cent chicken wing Mondays</li>
<li>Lemonade - Very cool modern twist on nostalgic food</li>
<li>Morton & Fig (USC’s finest dining on campus) - farm to table cuisine (this is a nice choice when parents visit)</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, there are all the usuals like Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and California Pizza Kitchen, but you can get that most everywhere.</p>
<p>If you are there on a Wednesday, you can visit McCarthy Quad which hosts a farmer’s market.</p>
<p>You may want to visit one of the Freshman dorms and sample their cafeteria style food service.</p>
<p>Since the new semester has just begun, most student productions in USC’s SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS do not begin their season until early October. It’s a shame you will miss them, but there is one new play presented every weekend, and other independently produced works on top of that. In case others are reading this thread as they plan their upcoming campus visits, I’ll post the plays in October (get tickets online in advance because they sell out):</p>
<p>Vinegar Tom
By Caryl Churchill | Directed by Robin Larsen
Scene Dock Theatre | October 3-6
In 17th Century rural England, two farm women are at the mercy and forbearance of their neighbors after they are accused of witchcraft by a man they have spurned sexually.</p>
<p>Fefu and Her Friends
By Maria Irene Forn</p>
<p>Zowie Batman, that was something else! You are amazing madbean! You should put out your own USC publication…if only you could get paid for it…now I want to be at USC!</p>
<p>madbean…Your list is amazing. Thanks! I’m going to send it to my son. Unfortunately, we will be there Sept. 6-8. Too early in the school year to take advantage of some of the opportunities on campus and, unfortunately, during a weird lull in programming city wide. It is something I wish I had considered when I was making college visit plans.</p>
<p>My son is interested in doing a double history/theater major. As it stands now, he will do the official tour thing on Friday and then meet up with a friend so he can attend a class and spend the night in the dorm. After that, we’ll see. He wanted to see some theater in LA.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks again. I’m sure that your hard work will be very helpful to many folks visiting USC.</p>
<p>The university is definitely working on the immediate neighborhood although that’s a long term thing… they have a 2030 master plan that’s been in the works in terms of transforming the school into a fully residential campus. If you haven’t been in L.A. in 30 years, it’s a COMPLETELY different school and even the neighborhood is vastly different, and for the better. It’s become significantly better even since I first matriculated to the school.</p>
<p>The general rule of thumb with USC is that it’s 20 minutes from everything. It’s 20 minutes from Santa Monica, 20 minutes from Hollywood, 20 minutes from Pasadena, Long Beach, etc. There’s stuff going on all around and the on-campus offerings have been significantly upgraded, as the above posts indicate.</p>
<p>For theater in the L.A. area, well there’s the Pasadena Playhouse, the Pantages Theater (Broadway shows), the Taper Forum, etc. I would see what’s playing at the Pantages as that generally has the best pure theater in town. L.A. being primarily built around film and TV, most of the “theater” in town is geared towards getting people into Hollywood.</p>
<p>Oh and don’t forget the Groundlings! Another good L.A. choice.</p>
<p>…oops</p>
<p>USCAlum05… Thanks for the information about USC’s master plan. Groundlings is an excellent suggestion.</p>
<p>My one big add was going to be Groundlings, but you beat me to it! Highly recommend that. I thought I would add my 2 cents, since my son is a Freshman, and likely double history/theater major (or minor). I am also from LA, but left years ago and had similar trepidations about USC and LA. I reached out to some the contributors in this thread who were so helpful in educating me about what USC and LA is like now. </p>
<p>Since my son has been at USC - just a few weeks - he feels it was ABSOLUTELY the perfect choice for him (he was torn between USC and Northwestern). In addition to the wonderful roommate and floor buddies he has made, he just loves the students he has met, and he gravitates to the performing arts/creative types. He has auditioned for a student TV network, for an A capella group, and has joined a fencing club. He has been to the Hollywood bowl during welcome week, as well as enjoyed comedy, improv, music, film, dance, etc, all on campus. He was lucky enough to get a ride to go the 20 minutes to Santa Monica, for beach and dinner. He just loves it there. I am only commenting on the cultural/activities issue, as that is the question at hand. He is also thrilled about his classes ;)</p>
<p>Wow… this coming weekend? I hope your son likes rah-rah. My sons actually are not big on the football culture (I am!), but this is the first home game–7:30 Saturday night–and I expect the campus will be overrun with Trojan colors, the fabulous marching band, lots of tailgating, alums, balloons, and spirit. Alas, USC’s artsy, quirky, cultural, intellectual side–which is really vibrant I must add–this weekend is not. But all types of students thrive at USC and they all seem to get along great. Big home game football weekends like this one happen about 6 times a year. If it’s your son’s thing, you should really go to the game.</p>
<p>Follow up…</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the help. My son toured SC on Friday, met with a department admissions counselor, stayed in dorms over-night, ate in the dining hall and went to a frat party. It was a pretty good introduction to Trojan campus life.</p>
<p>RE the school… Wow. All I can say is WOW. SC blew us away. Beautiful campus. Amazing resources. Diverse student body. Plus… I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much school spirit. </p>
<p>My son has a test when he visits a campus. Do students wear their college gear (you would be amazed at how many don’t) and do they call out to the tour groups as they walk through campus? (I was on one tour where a student shouted out how much he hated the school and told us all to not apply!) Well SC passed both tests with a perfect 1600. I swear that school bleeds Cardinal Red. At least two separate students spontaneously shouted out how much they loved SC and everywhere we went, students urged us to FIGHT ON! There is a lot of love for that school on that campus. Funniest moment? We were watching the band practice on the field. Over the loud speaker, the band director started going off, “Hey! Will someone please tell that freshman that shirt is NOT red. If it is red, that is not OUR red!” </p>
<p>As far as touring around LA goes… We did get to the beach (in the process, getting stuck in that special hell that is PCH on a Saturday afternoon), we ate Persian food on the west side and we saw the show at Groundlings. Thanks for all the recommendations.</p>