<p>Is there anything like NYU's FYRE Program (First Year Residential Experiences) at USC? Basically this program holds various events throughout the year where Freshman get to bond, adapt to college life, and explore the city together. Although I won't be attending NYU due to financial reasons, that program was very attractive and it would make USC more attractive to me if there was something similar.</p>
<p>If there is not a similar program, what does USC to accommodate its freshmen during their first year?</p>
<p>When my son was a freshman a couple of years ago, the dorm he was in, which was the honors dorm, had a few get togethers such as a BBQ one night, some other kind of event another night, maybe bowling (can’t remember), but some type of bonding activity for the students in that particular dorm. I am fairly sure all the dorms do this type of thing, not just the honors dorm.</p>
<p>All freshmen dorms at USC have a faculty member in residence. This is in addition to the RAs. They do plan events for students in that particular dormitory. These may include lectures, film events, socials and short trips to cultural sites in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>NYU does not have a campus as SC does and that program may be needed there. At SC orientation is a great week for freshmen to meet and make new friends. There is also a convocation at the beginning of the year. My impression is SC students bond as an entire student body, more than as a class. It is the idea of the Trojan family. </p>
<p>Due to the climate many students take part in club or intramural sports. There are over 600 political, cultural, religious, academic and social clubs available. Also, well over half of the SC students participate in community service activities. These are just a few of the opportunities for freshmen to meet and socialize with other new students.</p>
<p>Our D was on the Great Outdoors (GO) floor at a USC. They went camping, hiking, to the beach, skiing and to football games. I expect they did other activities as well. Their activities were coordinated with the female GO floor. </p>
<p>Hmm - in her first year she’s gone to the Elton John Concert (free), gone to parties hosted on and off campus, took up an unusual sport, saw the first episode of Game of Thrones season 4 weeks before HBO put it on broadcast for the public, gone to the beaches, got a pass to Disneyland, rented a zipcar to explore, got busy with dorm activities . . . the list goes on. There seem to be a lot of efforts to integrate Freshman into the fabric of school life - on Move In day there were a ton of activities. </p>
<p>But it’s up to the freshman to get involved. There is no hand holding saying “go here or do this.” But if you have interests - its probably found on and off campus in abundance.</p>