<p>I just went to explore today and had such an unbelievable experience. Everyone was just so nice. I got lost looking for some buildings and everyone I asked gladly showed me the way and just told personal accounts of how great USC is. The atmosphere is relaxing, people are smiling and not rushing anywhere. I met some amazing people, especially from out of this country. I met one person from Hong Kong, who said that USC was a dream school for so many people there. The trojan band played and everyone just had so much spirit. I met one of the most respected professors there and he was incredible. He said he will love to help me with everything, gave me his number and even invited my mom and me to sail with him, lol. I love it here, now I am 90 % sure I will choose SC over CAL.</p>
<p>Congrats ruskie- good choice!</p>
<p>It sounds like USC is a great fit for you. You will definitely enjoy every minute of being a trojan.</p>
<p>Hey ruskie! I was wondering what exactly does the “explore event” entail? and where do you think the $50 fee went to? Is it really worth it? </p>
<p>I’ve already signed up, but I’m just curious as to what exactly are the activities involved… and what do the parents do during the event as well, since I’m aware that there are separate activities for both? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>breakfast, lunch, dinner
marshall kids get a backpack
explore t-shirts
–i would say it’s pretty worth it</p>
<p>for the first couple hours, you and your son/daughter will be touring the campus/surrounding neighborhood, attend a finaid presentation, learn about residential/greek life (all are optional)</p>
<p>you will be welcomed during lunch by the dean of undergraduate admissions, his staff, and the trojan marching band. after lunch you will break off into schools and current students/professors will share what the college is about. you will also visit classes, labs, etc.</p>
<p>for dinner, your child will join a current underclassmen and see the campus from their point of view, while adults will have dinner with the professors and drink some wine. </p>
<p>hope this helped!</p>
<p>When I was at Explore my dad and I were looking for a place to eat and were pretty clueless. We asked a random student where the best place to eat was and he was incredibly helpful, he even took us there himself and gave us recommendations on what to order. It was a strange experience since at most other colleges the students seemed more distant. </p>
<p>The staff at USC were also amazing, one of the DPS officers even helped us with our luggage when we were in the parking garage (and when we asked him how to get out he led us all the way to the gate). I swear it seemed like if you ever asked for directions you were guaranteed a personal guide. </p>
<p>During my interview for the scholarship the faculty member that was amazing. She was so conversational about it, we basically just talked about movies and she made a lot of recommendations (she later sent me an email with a bunch of movies she thought I would enjoy). I felt so at ease with them it was surreal. I thought I had totally bombed the interview because we did nothing but talk and I felt I barely gave them any information (like the normal… “this is something interesting you didn’t get from my application”). Imagine my surprise when I find out I got bumped from Presidential to Trustee! </p>
<p>USC is an amazing place indeed</p>
<p>Yeah, it IS an extremely friendly and helpful campus. The nice thing about it is that the help isn’t a horse and pony show for prospective students, it is that way all of the time. I have had professors and others walk me across campus as well when I have been there for events. Amazing!</p>
<p>Hey ruskie,
I went to the same explore session and it was amazing. I am really killing myself right now in my choices. It’s between SC (where I want to go) and a local school (which wouldn’t require $200,000 in loans).</p>
<p>cboy945 thats a hard decision. Even though I love USC, I do not think that I would want to have that much debt. Thankfully, SC is very generous with financial aid. You could always transfer later.</p>
<p>Don’t take $200,000. in loans. No school is worth that much debt.</p>
<p>I agree with ^
If anything, you can go to your local school, work and save money, and then if USC is still your dream school and you still want to go there, you can transfer.</p>
<p>Or, you can just go to USC for grad school :)</p>
<p>Bump for Illinois student.</p>
<p>Ruskie, wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing… best wishes.</p>
<p>wow, that all sounds so amazing 
thats so cool you got invited for sailing haha sweet
usc just seems like such a good place… 
i hope i get in :D</p>