What to bring to the Explore USC Day next week?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>We are from Midwest so it is very cold and snowy here :-). We have read from the CC forum in terms of items we should bring to the sunny and warm USC next week. But we have not seen a full and complete list yet. Please help us make some decisions on what to be packed. Thanks and good luck to all applicants! </p>

<p>To start off the list, we have heard we should bring:</p>

<p>1) sunglasses
2) sleeping bag + pillow
3) dress shirts</p>

<p>Regards,
midwestDad2</p>

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<p>4) camera
5) copy of son’s application essay, short essays, quick takes and EC list…or at least go through this beforehand.
6) maybe an umbrella…rain forecast for tomorrow…check forecast for next week before you leave…but chances are you will have great weather.</p>

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<p>A light jacket for the evening would be a good idea.</p>

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<p>This week we have 70s (even 80) degrees during the day, fifties at night. For L.A. weather, you will want to bring layers (light jackets, sweaters, etc). Nice-type jeans-level casual is fine for most events, but some dads wear khakis and polo shirts. I saw moms way dressed up and also very casual. You can really please yourselves. Don’t forget, there is a lot of walking on campus (and if you are going to Disneyland!) so bring comfortable shoes.</p>

<p>The kids are very casually dressed for most of the events, with the exception of their interview. Boys wear sport coats and/or dress shirts and ties, girls wear dressy pants & jackets or dresses.</p>

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<p>Both you and your son will be receiving various flyers, brochures and info…so it might be useful to bring some sort of canvas bag or whatever to put all the stuff in.</p>

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<p>Students: Shorts, flip flops, shades,t shirts, $ to buy your USC hoodie, interview clothes(whatever your mom makes you wear)</p>

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<p>I know for the interview it says business attire, but for the day 1 sessions, are most in business casual, or t-shirts, or what?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>^No need to be dressed in business attire other than for the interview. Whatever you wear normally is fine…jeans, shorts, T shirts, flipflops, whatever…very casual.</p>

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<p>just wear a lakers jersey if you want to make a good impression</p>

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<p>One cool aspect of Explore is that you will be divided into groups by School and you get to meet some really exceptional kids over the two days. It’s a lot of fun. My son stayed in touch with a few and still knows them now at USC. So, maybe bring a friendly attitude?</p>

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<p>Is USC still a good choice if you’re not really into football and all? Are the people as mean and stuck up as everyone says they are? Also, how bad is South Central L.A.? How do you get into downtown… I don’t have a car and I probably won’t get one? Is the grading curve at Marshall harsh? Also, what is this “Explore USC” day? Do you think I have a good chance of getting in with a 2000 on the SAT and straight A’s (8 AP’s… but also failed Chem and U.S. History exams)!!! Please help because USC is my first choice, but I have many concerns.</p>

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<p>marty…I’ll answer your first concerns…

  1. my D is not into football and as a sophomore has yet attend a game. It hasn’t affected any friendships or anything. There are lots of other activities whether you’re into another sport or club or cultural activities or just hanging out with friends. People are not snooty and who gave you that impression. If anything, with such diversity as there is at USC, internationals and kids from all over the States, it’s friendlier than it might be at a university where the population is more homogeneous.
  2. The area is fine as long as you use common sense. No walking around alone at 3am with an Ipod etc. The north side of campus is active, filled with student housing and there’s a shopping plaza. Students just have no reason to wonder off into the bad areas south and west of campus. The freeway borders on the east side. Also, USC is very respected in the neighbourhood as USC has lots of outreach programs.
  3. Not having a car is no big deal. Most students don’t have one, but you make friends who do. There are busses to downtown but they take long I believe. Most students like to go elsewhere instead…Santa Monica, the Grove, the beach etc. and somebody always has a car. Also, you can rent Zip cars at USC.</p>
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<p>@martyjones: USC is walking distance away from the staples center. but don’t go to any lakers games bc u’ll be robbed as u walk down figuerra. but if u go to a clippers game and ur wearing a clippers jersey, nobody would even think about robbing you as they’ll just think ur a loser with no money. they might even feel sorry for u and they’ll just drop a few coins at u. moral of the story is that just buy a few clippers jerseys/tshirts/hoodies and people won’t even bother to rob you</p>

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<p>the Staples Center is NOT walking distance from USC.</p>

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<p>laker’s just ghetto like that :)</p>

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<p>■■■■■…■■■■■…</p>

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<p>lakerforever24=■■■■■</p>