<p>The ridiculous cost for an undergraduate degree no matter if its engineering or a non-STEM major. As a result, USC has fallen behind in rankings because the brightest applicants are going to other universities.</p>
<p>^I think this may be true…also…it’s odd but I have a few friends who got UC Berkeley Regents who were flat-out rejected from USC…not sure why o.O One got a 2400 and was accepted into Carnegie Mellon’s “special” program whatever that is…</p>
<p>I have talked to many students and families who have attended USC over the past several years and most are truly happy with their experiences, education, and careers. Blindingly happy–I used to think they put happy juice in the cafeteria! Or course, there are always things that are not as one might wish, and some students might find some of these items more or less important to their happiness in college. One example: there is Greek life at USC and they are fairly well-spotted wearing Greek letter t-shirts and such. There are an equal number of, for lack of a better word, intellectual students on campus (Greek is about 20% and merit scholars are about 20%) but since the academic types don’t tend to wear bright hoodies with their Mensa iq’s printed on them (hehe) they may not show their presence. I love the diversity that includes happy Greeks and happy Geeks, but it’s a personal feeling if a campus life feels right. If an individual feels uncomfortable seeing some fellow students driving new BMWs, it may not matter to them that there are far more students at USC who do not drive a car at all. Perceptions are very personal. A lot of times, a student will get what they put into college–those who seek out relationships with their professors tend to wind up with strong mentor relationships. Those who are less outgoing may not feel the same way. So each should decide on a school that will be likely to suit their style of learning and being social. </p>
<p>That said, I want to mention an area of unhappiness at USC (and at most top 50 private universities) that I feel is real. I draw these conclusions from a sampling of students and families I’ve known who attended USC. So these stories are anecdotal, but might resonate with others.</p>
<p>The cost of a private university at full price is–frankly-- outrageous for all but the most affluent families. And realizing this in April, when a student is in love with a university-- can be a bitter pill to successful middle-class families who have good careers, some savings and always expected they could send their student to their college of choice. $250K+ after taxes per student is what it is–and I think it’s crazy. And signing up for significant family debt–especially with other siblings coming along–is very stressful. Yet, I know a number of families who sent their kids to their expensive dream schools, anyway. Full pay. There are often good reasons, like the school is ranked at the top of the list, has #1 ranked majors, or has special opportunities or other cool offerings that really fit the student. Sometimes it truly is a better qualitative choice than all other options, after all decisions are in. For whatever reason it may be, the family says yes, you can attend private college for full pay. To answer the OP’s question about what’s wrong with USC and (I must point out to be fair) all other expensive private U’s–is the full cost can be too big a burden. After the exhilaration of putting down deposits, and once the student attends, I have seen families become stressed, or disenchanted, or even bitter. I have seen this same reaction at many top schools, and certainly at USC. </p>
<p>Part of the disillusionment comes after the child matriculates. Looking around, there will be students at USC–no better than one’s own!–who will be getting significant merit awards. It can seem unfair. There will be many other students getting huge FA awards. In other words, for middle class students who do not qualify for FA, over time, these facts can weigh them down. And since no university in the world is perfect in all regards, when little annoyances may occur–these families can feel more frustration than might seem commensurate with the gripe. And no one would argue that they are entitled to feel they are getting their money’s worth! But, again, these aspects grow out of proportion. I’ve seen parents complain to their child. If a family is prone to wariness and tends to be critical, anyway, I think it kinder to send the student to a more affordable choice than to burden them with feeling their parents do not like their school! Financially, some families can stretch to make it work, but emotionally, it may just be too expensive. </p>
<p>So I guess my most serious warning is to look a little past this hyped up college selection period and think about your and your family’s comfort. If the pleasure of attending a college–like USC–is really worth it to your family, without instant regret, that’s the time to sacrifice a little to make it work. Frankly that’s what our family has done to a manageable level, and it has been more than worth it. But there are many many MANY colleges that would work very well. As much as our family has loved USC for two very different kids, it’s not the only school that would have made them happy and given them great educations. I am a huge booster of USC–but I seriously feel the costs to the family’s psyche as well as pocketbook must be counted.</p>
<p>“What’s bad about XXXX?”</p>
<p>“Familiarity breeds contempt.” - Aesop</p>
<p>Show me a senior at any school who is 100% happy and I’ll show you an admissions counselor. </p>
<p>I so agree @Madbean. Even we have periods of time where we question the “fairness” of the system. My D didn’t qualify for any of the prestigious merit awards but we committed nonetheless. Still, carrying a full-load we got a letter announcing her first semester grades were in the top 20% of the university (all A’s). Merit aid is not retroactive even though her grades are better than a friend who did qualify. So while she’s working a job to help with expenses, she has partying friends who are on full rides or are full pays who aren’t carrying that extra burden during the week. </p>
<p>Still - she has a good head on her shoulders about it and has a good work ethic. We’re proud of her and think it will serve her well in the job market. And the USC program has so far been worth the sacrifice, IMHO.</p>
<p>I think what has exacerbated this mess is that the federal government eliminated the penalty for withdrawing retirement funds to pay for college. You still have to pay taxes, however, as if it were income. So where colleges used to treat retirement (especially for those of us who are getting up there in age) as hands off - it’s now fair game for the calculation of aid. One of the colleges she’d been accepted to went as far as to say we should stop contributing to our employer plans while she’s in college since those contributions are “voluntary.” So parents putting anything aside, are penalized over those who saved nothing. I do know I had a terse private conversation with a parent on another CC board who confessed to squandering an inheritance and now her son is eligible for full rides even though he still has a modest college fund tucked away by a relative.</p>
<p>So yes - one of the “bad” things about USC is that there is no room for negotiation. It is extremely expensive and it is unapologetic about it. The dorm fees and required meal plans are higher than living off campus. But again - we understood that going in (just not the extent to which we’d been hit) and adjusted our lifestyle accordingly. </p>
<p>Ditto ditto ditto @madbean and @ArtsandLetters! Ya that merit money only offered coming in is too bad, likewise for my straight A engineer A&L, and the scholarships you can try to get going forward are pretty tiny in the scheme of things. I suppose/hope his reward will come after college. Happy but painful is best way to sum it up. Holistic has good and bad aspects - I think it is easier to feel sour about the results holistically, too much subjective. I know a kid enjoying a large sweet scholarship who paid to have his essay written. Tells his friends best $500 he ever spent. Just fairly decent grades, but fabulous essays and he hit the scholarship lottery. Of course I get the immorality of it all, but he doesn’t, he just feels he played the holistic system well.</p>
<p>I think being on CC has its dangers too (although I enjoy it and learn a lot). With all the talk of scholarships and FA at times it seems like the message is that anyone is crazy to pay full price to go here even if they can afford it. It seems to devalue USC overall. I try to avoid the threads with Trustees looking for even more money, but still deciding if it is better to pay to go somewhere else. 
I still think it is a fabulous place to go to school and worth it, but am certainly haunted by what we pay sometimes.</p>