Anonymous
09/23/2025 21:59
Subject: Thoughts on USC
OP here: This is all SO helpful, thank you for all of the great responses! We're going to check it out in the spring (along with the Claremont colleges, UCLA, and UCSB) and see what the different schools are like!
Anonymous
09/23/2025 21:38
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:It's a very good school. Strong academics because they've spent a lot to improve them over the last 30 years or so. Professional/grad schools have always been strong.and still are.
It's big but not too big.
People love the football team.
There is definitely a Greek presence but lots of other things too.
Nice campus, iffy part of town but a bubble.
Not really close to the beach but you can drive there easily.
Skews conservative.
It's quintessential California and most of the kids are going to be from LA and OC.
It's different than the east coast. Lots of local types/stereotypes you will never have encountered before except in SoCal.
People have a ton of money.
Lots of generations of people go there, very strong (and potentially annoying traditions or lovable depending on how you view these things) and strong alumni networks but only if you're going to stay in southern CA and it will not have as much cred in northern CA or outside of the state.
Lots of kids who, say, take over dad's third generation general contracting or high-end real estate business.
Business types, practical, though they have great humanities departments and the film department is tops.
This is spot on.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 21:17
Subject: Re:Thoughts on USC
It's a decent school, hardly a standout. Greek life tends to dominate the social scene. And I wouldn't consider it "midsize" at all; if anything, it feels impersonal and overwhelming.
Academically, it has its strengths, I suppose. I know they're big on entrepreneurship, so that may be a plus. The B-school is mid-dish, though, and they're not exactly known for math/STEM.
And of course, there's the exorbitant tuition and the high COL.
I'd consider more prestigious/respected schools with better reputations that meet such criteria, like Pepperdine, LMU, UCI, UCSB, Cal Poly SLO, obviously UCLA - the UCs are also large-size, but figure one can eventually find where they fit in in such a large pool. You might also think about Miami, W&M, and UF (UNCW's also right by the beach, but obviously doesn't have quite the school spirit/pride of CH).
Academically, it has its strengths, I suppose. I know they're big on entrepreneurship, so that may be a plus. The B-school is mid-dish, though, and they're not exactly known for math/STEM.
And of course, there's the exorbitant tuition and the high COL.
I'd consider more prestigious/respected schools with better reputations that meet such criteria, like Pepperdine, LMU, UCI, UCSB, Cal Poly SLO, obviously UCLA - the UCs are also large-size, but figure one can eventually find where they fit in in such a large pool. You might also think about Miami, W&M, and UF (UNCW's also right by the beach, but obviously doesn't have quite the school spirit/pride of CH).
Anonymous
09/23/2025 20:04
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:They take a large number of transfers from community college. This is different from most top 20s.
You got confused with UCLA and UCB
Nope they were right. If you’re familiar with USC, you should know this.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 20:01
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:They take a large number of transfers from community college. This is different from most top 20s.
You got confused with UCLA and UCB
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:55
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Close knit group of folks. Good for networking.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:54
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:USC is big and very Greek
And also into business
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:40
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:Go to USC. Way better experience than an underfunded nearly broke state school with 1000 kids in the intro classes. You’ll also graduate On Time!
If you’re comparing it to UCLA, UCLA has a far more beautiful campus. It’s much larger, shaded, truly lovely. UCLA has an ideal location as well. I like USC, we are actually a USC family, but it is not considered better than UCLA.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:35
Subject: Thoughts on USC
It’s a beautiful campus, but fairly small. Takes 10 minutes to walk across. It has a pre professional vibe. Tons of resources and amenities. I know the neighborhood is worrisome for lots of people, but I’m a So Cal local and wouldn’t think twice.
The campus is HOT from Aug-Oct. It’s in an urban heat zone without much shade. School spirit is great. Games are fun. Greek life can be surprisingly competitive. Overall, the student body is diverse, competitive, and ambitious.
The campus is HOT from Aug-Oct. It’s in an urban heat zone without much shade. School spirit is great. Games are fun. Greek life can be surprisingly competitive. Overall, the student body is diverse, competitive, and ambitious.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:22
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:USC is big and very Greek
It[b]'s not big big. Meaning land wise smaller than UCLA, UVA, Penn State, ... But same number of people tightly packed. surrounding neighborhood a bit scary. Guards at entrances and a wall to protect.
To contrast - UCLA no wall.
Greek yes - University of Spoiled Children
It's 47,000 students! And hugely Greek! And not well respected by old-line Californians like myself, who still think of it as the University of Spoiled Children. My nephew went there and regretted it.
It’s 20000 undergrad ??! Where did you get 47k? Btw How many does UCLA have undergrad again?
DP, but it’s 20k undergrad, 47k total.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:12
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:Go to USC. Way better experience than an underfunded nearly broke state school with 1000 kids in the intro classes. You’ll also graduate On Time!
Yes, and with a masters in 4 years if you want it and are motivated. I am Ca native and it is true in 80's it was second tier but that hasn't been true for decades. It's a great school academically and a fun school (near-ish a beach as sought by OP's DC)
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:12
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:It's a very good school. Strong academics because they've spent a lot to improve them over the last 30 years or so. Professional/grad schools have always been strong.and still are.
It's big but not too big.
People love the football team.
There is definitely a Greek presence but lots of other things too.
Nice campus, iffy part of town but a bubble.
Not really close to the beach but you can drive there easily.
Skews conservative.
It's quintessential California and most of the kids are going to be from LA and OC.
It's different than the east coast. Lots of local types/stereotypes you will never have encountered before except in SoCal.
People have a ton of money.
Lots of generations of people go there, very strong (and potentially annoying traditions or lovable depending on how you view these things) and strong alumni networks but only if you're going to stay in southern CA and it will not have as much cred in northern CA or outside of the state.
Lots of kids who, say, take over dad's third generation general contracting or high-end real estate business.
Business types, practical, though they have great humanities departments and the film department is tops.
This is pretty accurate. It's in a somewhat sketchy area. Your kid definitely needs to visit to see if s/he likes the vibe. It is not near the beach and doesn't have a beach feel. I would only go there if you are super into the party/Greek scene or super into the arts scene. I'm a UCLA grad, and it's better than USC, but I wouldn't want my kids to go to either.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 19:04
Subject: Thoughts on USC
It's a very good school. Strong academics because they've spent a lot to improve them over the last 30 years or so. Professional/grad schools have always been strong.and still are.
It's big but not too big.
People love the football team.
There is definitely a Greek presence but lots of other things too.
Nice campus, iffy part of town but a bubble.
Not really close to the beach but you can drive there easily.
Skews conservative.
It's quintessential California and most of the kids are going to be from LA and OC.
It's different than the east coast. Lots of local types/stereotypes you will never have encountered before except in SoCal.
People have a ton of money.
Lots of generations of people go there, very strong (and potentially annoying traditions or lovable depending on how you view these things) and strong alumni networks but only if you're going to stay in southern CA and it will not have as much cred in northern CA or outside of the state.
Lots of kids who, say, take over dad's third generation general contracting or high-end real estate business.
Business types, practical, though they have great humanities departments and the film department is tops.
It's big but not too big.
People love the football team.
There is definitely a Greek presence but lots of other things too.
Nice campus, iffy part of town but a bubble.
Not really close to the beach but you can drive there easily.
Skews conservative.
It's quintessential California and most of the kids are going to be from LA and OC.
It's different than the east coast. Lots of local types/stereotypes you will never have encountered before except in SoCal.
People have a ton of money.
Lots of generations of people go there, very strong (and potentially annoying traditions or lovable depending on how you view these things) and strong alumni networks but only if you're going to stay in southern CA and it will not have as much cred in northern CA or outside of the state.
Lots of kids who, say, take over dad's third generation general contracting or high-end real estate business.
Business types, practical, though they have great humanities departments and the film department is tops.
Anonymous
09/23/2025 18:54
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Go to USC. Way better experience than an underfunded nearly broke state school with 1000 kids in the intro classes. You’ll also graduate On Time!
Anonymous
09/23/2025 18:52
Subject: Thoughts on USC
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:USC is big and very Greek
It[b]'s not big big. Meaning land wise smaller than UCLA, UVA, Penn State, ... But same number of people tightly packed. surrounding neighborhood a bit scary. Guards at entrances and a wall to protect.
To contrast - UCLA no wall.
Greek yes - University of Spoiled Children
It's 47,000 students! And hugely Greek! And not well respected by old-line Californians like myself, who still think of it as the University of Spoiled Children. My nephew went there and regretted it.
It’s 20000 undergrad ??! Where did you get 47k? Btw How many does UCLA have undergrad again?