Student Profile
Kathleen
- Class: Senior
- Major: Studio Art
- Gender: F
- High School: Hillcrest High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
I like going to USC - everyone has at least heard of it because of our football team. But after the initial name recognition, they also know it for being a good school. I like the size: big enough to have all of the resources of a large university, but small enough that I recognize people when I'm walking across campus. The campus itself is also small enough to walk across in 20 minutes. Much more convenient than a huge sprawling campus that you have to take a bus across (though there are trams if you would prefer). And, the campus is beautiful. There are always flowers blooming somewhere, and there is almost always a fountain within view. There is a tremendous amount of school pride, which I knew I wanted in a college. You get the "college experience" here, with the football team, the clubs and organizations, the school pride, etc. The only thing missing is the "college town feel." The area immediately surrounding campus is void of fun/casual hangouts. There are restaurants and one bar, but not good ones. You'll have to drive across town to the UCLA area (it pains me to say so, as they are our biggest rivals) to get that college feel in Westwood. BUT, USC and Los Angeles are both working to revamp the University Park area and the downtown area, respectively. So, in the next few years, who knows what it could be like?
Academic Life
I have had a wonderful experience in the classroom because my Fine Arts classes are very small. Not every school is like this. I took one computer science class, and I was not a fan of the way it was run. However, each student has his or her own style. Most of my classes have been very small, but even in the "large lecture classes," I believe it was still only 200 or so students. And my professors in those classes knew me because I made a point to introduce myself and sit in front. The most frustrating thing about USC's requirements is that you can't get out of the writing requirements, even with AP scores. Some of the other GEs aren't great. My advice is pick one you're interested in, not one that you heard is easy. One of my favorite classes here was to fulfill a science requirement: I took linguistics, and loved it! I don't know how many hours a week I study, but I budget my time so that I still go out with my friends. It's possible to do both.
Student Body
I feel that we have a diverse campus in some ways, but homogeneous in others. White students seem to be the majority, with many Asian and Indian students as well. Many of these students are from upper middle class families. However, views differ greatly. One of my favorite experiences was sitting in on the Interfaith Council. When I was a member, there was a representative from the Atheist group, the Wiccan group, the Baha'i group, the Mormon group, the Episcopal group, the Catholic group, the Christian Science group, and possibly a few others I can no longer remember. The greatest thing is that USC students are very accepting of these different beliefs, and in my experiences, are only curious to find out more about them. Students wear everything from sweatpants to dresses and heels to class. I myself have worn both, just depending on how I feel that day. I've gone to class with and without makeup. It's just what you're comfortable with. USC seems a good mix of political interests. Most people are more liberal, as it is 1. a college campus and 2. in California. However, being a private school I believe makes it somewhat more conservative.
The Best Things
Everything else (my friends, class offerings, opportunities to meet people, a beautiful campus, athletics, school spirit, club offerings).
The Worst Things
Location (in Los Angeles) and the surrounding neighborhood (ie, lack of things to do in the immediate area)
