What I wish I had known about USC

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Southern California
61

<p>

</p>

<p>It doesn’t. Collegesc has left this thread.
However, the posts were to respond

</p>

<p>mdcissp, I thought housing is guaranteed for sophomore, it is not? But I’ve heard if you plan to be an RA, then housing is guarantee for 4 years.</p>

<p>Stanford is also a tech school but it rises in excellence is through

</p>

<p>[‘I</a> Have At Least Nine Jobs’ What’s it like to be president of the university at the heart of Silicon Valley? Stanford’s Gerhard Casper reflects on money, power, football, and online learning. - October 16, 2000](<a href=“http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2000/10/16/289593/index.htm]'I”>'I Have At Least Nine Jobs' What's it like to be president of the university at the heart of Silicon Valley? Stanford's Gerhard Casper reflects on money, power, football, and online learning. - October 16, 2000)</p>

62

<p>And how do you find the time to take the RA course when you want to major, minor, and take the many other varied courses USC offers?</p>

63

<p>It’s 2-unit course, take it as Pass/Fail.</p>

64

<p>I have been a critic of academic rigor and climate at USC before my daughter was admitted and chose to go there, and I remain a skeptic (yes, look up my posts and exchanges with cc411 from about 9 months ago on that topic). Why do I remain a skeptic? Just look at this thread — a bunch of parents arguing the excellence of the school. Where are these bright passionate students, Nikara and maybe 1-2 others notwithstanding (for a school of 16k+ students there HAVE to be more than 2-3 out there who care enough)? Where is the discussion on the board about the academic merits of the school, what makes students tick, what is the campus pulse? Instead we have bunch of stupid “chance me” threads, a discussion of frat life and football, “theory of the statuses” (remember that 50+ page waste of electrons from last spring?) and questions about classes and trivial mechanics of the administrative process. </p>

<p>Some can argue that this is what this board is supposed to be about, but I respectfully disagree. For me personally the contrast with another school that my daughter applied to is striking. While the school is ranked similarly, whatever that means, the atmosphere on campus, in the discussion board, and even the daily newspaper is drastically different, and much more oriented towards substantive discourse than empty banter (yes, I read the Daily Trojan almost every day, and have to keep myself from sighing). I remain an unconvinced skeptic about USC, paying the bills for the sake of allowing my daughter to make her own choices irrespective of my opinions. My parents gave me that freedom, and I owe it to my daughter, but that does not mean that I have to like it (I do make a great effort to hide my views from her, hope she is not reading because she knows my handle :D)</p>

65

<p>As a quick note to the rather personal message in that last point (not offended, just want to respond). I’m still here. I love talking about USC, but I do eventually get tired of defending the academic rigor of the school. I’ve stated my views on the subject many times throughout the years, and I really do feel that USC is what you make of it. I have no doubt that if you don’t take advantage of the many opportunities offered, then you can have a mediocre college experience here. However, I also think that such a situation can happen anywhere. </p>

<p>This particular board changes in fascinating ways every year. Before I started school here, the board was actually mainly composed of students getting ready for their experience and exchanging notes- look at some of the really old RHP threads for an example. I have met a large number of the people from the board that year. In recent years, the board has seemed to mainly be composed of parents and students who are considering USC as one of their possible college choices- thus you get the chances threads. The number of students who discover this site each year changes, which affects the way that discussions take place.</p>

<p>I can certainly understand complaints about the Daily Trojan- I’ve had my fair share of problems with them (misquoted several times), and I know that they aren’t necessarily the most sterling example of student work, but I accept that. Simply put, the newspaper, while important, isn’t necessarily a priority on campus. Many good articles come out of it, but many bad ones do also. I do quite a bit of sighing myself while reading. </p>

<p>You may notice that I haven’t necessarily been posting as often recently- I generally read the threads when I’m able to, and respond to questions that don’t get answers. Unfortunately, I’m also human, and can only stand repeating my answers to certain subjects (is USC a party school etc.) so many times. I feel that many students don’t have the time to spend on a board like this, or simply don’t know of its existence. I do think that judging a school based on its college confidential board may be a mistake. </p>

<p>As I near graduation, I’ve started thinking over my feelings on the school. Sometime in May, I plan to post them. I promise to give as complete and unbiased report as I can. What help that will be to anyone, I don’t know. This school isn’t perfect, and I have no problem admitting to it. But I try to find the things that are good about the school and take advantage of them.</p>

<p>Wow, that post turned out longer than expected. :)</p>

66

<p>Groovy - it is interesting that you are basing your opinions of the academics at USC on threads posted on a discussion board by people who have not been admitted to that school. “The theory os statuses” thread was one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen, but no more so than the endless theories on the UC Berkeley board last spring about “the email” (or the three emails, I should say) - would you say that Brekeley is lacking in academic rigor based on that thread?</p>

<p>My main reason for checking on this discussion board as I applied was to see what Nikara had to say about things! Thanks, Nikara for all of your advice. I feel I am able to take advantage of opportunities I wouldn’t have even known about if I hadn’t read your posts. Thematic Option is amazing. (And anyone who comes on here complaining about lack of rigor also had the opportunity to choose TO - or their child did - and I wonder why they did not if they were looking for academic rigor.)</p>

67

<p>As a freshman at 'SC (and currently taking 3 TO classes), I have no issues with the academic rigor. What I have found, though, is that as much as USC is trying to shed its image as a football school and a party school and become known as one of the top schools in the country, the atmostphere here is not one of academia. Everyone seems to be here for something else first, academics second, even if that something else is the alumni network or something career-oriented. </p>

<p>Of course, I’ve only been here for a month, so this opinion may change as time goes.</p>

68

<p>More in response to GroovyGeek,
Again, basing an evaluation of the academics of a university on the “threads” started on that university’s discussion board just doesn’t make sense. The champions of the “stupid chance me” threads you mention are - no doubt about it - the “ivies.” Would you accuse the “ivies” of lacking academic rigor because the boards are currently jammed with students chancing each other for the ivies?</p>

69

<p>I am not basing my opinions of USC on the discussions in this board. That would be… well, stupid. Chance-me threads are everywhere and unavoidable evil given the nature of this forum. My comments were based on what else is there besides the endless banter present everywhere, on the feel when you visit campus, on what you see when you walk in the library, etc. When someone started the thread “100 things you like about USC”, I was hopeful. By the time this thread died off I was disappointed.</p>

<p>Note that I am not making generalizations. There are great students everywhere, and college is over 90% what the student makes of it. In that sense it largely does not matter where the student goes to college. Good students will seek out good students everywhere, and vice versa. I, a graduate of a third-tier college whose board on CC is all but abandoned am a good example. However, the remaining 10% can be very important for students who have not yet figured out who they are and what they want, and tend to “roll with the punches”. For such students the direction of the punches matters, and I am unconvinced that the direction is one that helps my daughter. Whatever, the chips have been set down, the ball is rolling on the wheel, we shall see what comes out of it.</p>

<p>To Nikara: my post was NOT a jab at you, and I apologize if it came across that way. On the contrary, I was asking why there are not more students like you here or on the number of other USC boards that exist. You are a good example of what a good school champion should be — realistic, relatively objective, yet enthusiastic. I personally value your contributions to this board very much, and hope that there are more people like you at USC.</p>

70

<p>

</p>

<p>Some students are too busy with their academics to post, I know my daughter has to turn in a paper every week for at least one class. Furthermore, she told me only 194 students picked the TO option this year(out of 2760 freshmen). Students who complain about the easy GE classes should apply to this program and not waiting for the senior year, a year before they are about to graduate, to complain that the school is not challenging.</p>

71

<p>Groovy, as mentioned above, your D could have elected to apply to TO, but for her, “making the most” of her education doesn’t mean the same thing it does to you, to me, or to anyone but her. I have read many of your posts, and I am guessing she has your words in the back of her head (just as I keep my parent’s advice in mind… though I probably wouldn’t tell THEM that) as she charts her own course. She is lucky that you are willing (a bit grudgingly) to allow her to choose a different course than you would choose for her. USC is a great place for that - there really are all different kinds of students pursuing all different kinds of futures - and that is one of the “100 things I like about USC.”</p>

72

<p>This is so irrelevant haha…
but why should I choose USC over UCLA? or shouldn’t I?</p>

73

<p>Do you currently have the option of choosing either? (In other words, until you apply and are accepted, choosing one or the other is as irrelevent as this thread!) What has drawn you to consider applying to each? Have you visited each? What are your interests in terms of majors? Do you have specific questions about USC?</p>

<p>Both are excellent universities and have much to offer. Some students would be equally happy at either one, others will investigate more closely and discover which one suits them better. Many find that they greatly prefer the one that actually ACCEPTS them!</p>

74

<p>There are 4 good potential reasons to choose USC: 1. Trojan family network, 2. Possible better merit scholarship 3. Small classes compared to UCLA’s large classes 4. Particular program unique to USC which you may not find at UCLA.</p>

75

<p>Now that I am in school I realize how funny all the ranking nonsense and claims of “academic rigor” really is. The reason there aren’t many of us on (and a major reason I rarely come to CC much anymore) is because we are DOING things. I’m at SC now nad I love it, I find my classes and teachers excellent (I made certain to find out about certain teachers, etc. For example, Lamy is an amazing prof) and I have an excellent time on weekends. This school, as Nikara said, really is what you make of it, but by an large I’m beginning to realize that’s true of ANY university. </p>

<p>You can be the wallflower, not get involved, not interact and just skate by making ok grades through most schools, INCLUDING schools like Harvard, Yale, etc., but that’s not the fault of any particular schools. Its the education ssystem itself. There will always be a way to just “get by” get used to it, but I’ve already met so many different people that you would NEVER expect to possess the talents they have here. Many if you judged by their appearance would shock you with their intellect, abilities and personalities.</p>

<p>To be honest, I realize how awesome our school is. The academics are awesome here if you’re willing to work, and if you truly think that you aren’t being challenged, then either get into Thematic Option (which probably isn’t possible for you if you aren’t already in it, I know friends in that, while struggling with the amount of work, really enjoy it) and then complain aout the academics not being hard enough, or go visit countless other schools and realize that learning in college is largely what YOU are willing to put into it.</p>

<p>Back to the most boring lecture evar.</p>

76

<p>Columbia_Student
Wow! Thank you for posting that incredibly interesting letter from Gerald Davison! When was it written? I agree with so much that he wrote! I also think that if USC continues to “climb the ratings” rankings, and has more students with strong academic potential apply, as has happened in th last few years, there is no reason they would not be able to fill their enrollment with a larger Freshman class, and not have to depend on bringing in 1000 transfer students a year [ except they would have to find a place to house those bigger incoming classes]. I happen to agree with the OP’s original statement/ complaint that there is a big difference between the academic quality of the recent freshman classes and students who transfer in later.[ My son could have written that post as he was also accepted at other, more “prestigious” Universities, and was offered a Trustees scholarship at USC] IF USC wants to improve the reputation of it’s undergraduate program, then accepting more top students who are there for an education, and not just there for a degree, goes hand in hand with improving the quality of the undergraduate class offerings. Both the cart and the horse have to be brought in at the same time. Eliminating many of the b<em>s</em> GE requirement classes that so many consider to be joke and a waste of student’s time, and replacing them with fewer GE classes that require students to THINK, like TO classes or the Freshman and Sophomore seminar classes a la Stanford would be a good first step. [I have to tell you, reading over the list of Seminar topics offered by Stanford a few years ago made my mouth water!] </p>

<p>Just wanted to mention re your post
"she told me only 194 students picked the TO option this year(out of 2760 freshmen). ’
As I understand it TO classes are[ or were 2 years ago when my son took them] only OFFERED to about 200 incoming Freshman- the same students I believe that are offered the Honors Science classes. It is almost impossible to get into a TO class if it is not offered to you in the first place.
An since then, he has not found a single Humanities class that is as intense or rigorous as the Freshman TO classes were, sad to say. Shouldn’t upper division Humanities classes be harder than Freshman classes?</p>

77

<p>sorry, just saw that it was written in 1993!</p>

78

<p>menloparkmom, the last part of your comment makes me worry. I am thoroughly enjoying my TO classes and all the work that comes with them- but will this end when I’m done with my TO classes? Does anybody else have input on this? I feel like a lot of the special programs that USC offers students with academic potential (besides, of course, the scholarship, which is definitely the major selling point) end after freshmen year. I know there are a few more TO classes, but I’ll probably only have one more left to take. Plus the trips, etc, that TO sponsors seem to be all for freshmen. The same appears to be true for Annenberg Scholars- it’s a one year deal. I’m already worried that sophomore year is going to be a huge let-down after all these great TO classes and all the special treatment we’ve been given.</p>

79

<p>I’m already worried that sophomore year is going to be a huge let-down after all these great TO classes and all the special treatment we’ve been given.</p>

<p>I think that unfortunately your concerns are valid as far as Humanities based classes or GE’s are concerned. It also depends on your major and how hard your required classes are. My son is a sciences major, and he was able to take the Science Honors classes, which also have great profs, but outside of those areas there are a lot of GE classes that are a complete waste of time for smart students. That is what has to change IMHO, and the sooner the better.</p>

80

<p>Regarding GE classes: My complaint with USC is that despite entering with the maximum allowed 32 credits given from high scores on 11 AP tests, my son still has to take the GE classes. Why does it bother me? My son wants to focus on a minor which would be a lot easier to fulfill within the 4 year framework if he did not have to take GEs. For example, my son came in with 2 English APs and still has to take the writing classes. At UCLA, a student with my son’s AP credits would have fulfilled the writing requirement before starting school.</p>