There are many reasons why the University of Southern California appeals to so many students. This private university takes pride in not only being one of the best schools in California, but it's also one of the nation's best universities.
Location, location, locations! USC is in the University Park district of Los Angeles just east of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. In fact, campus is within walking distance to LA landmarks such as the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and Los Angeles Coliseum. And to make things even better, the weather in Los Angeles is quite perfect, ranging from 55-72 degrees throughout the year. Talk about studying in the sunshine!
USC ranks number 23 among National Universities in 2016 (via US News). The school is listed as "most selective" and has an acceptance rate of 18%. Curious about acceptance based on where you're from? For the entering first-year class, 43% of incoming students are drawn from California, 42% from the rest of the United States, and 15% from abroad. The student to faculty ratio is 9:1 and 57% of classes have fewer than 20 students, so all classes are very individualized and students have great relationships with their professors.
While USC is most famous for The School of Cinematic Arts, the university has quite a few more top ranked programs, including: The School of Architecture, Thornton School of Music, Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, and Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.
As if location and academics aren't good enough, the student life scene at USC is unparalleled. Total enrollment is around 43,000 students, 19,000 undergrad and 24,000 graduate and professional levels. Students are heavily involved in sports (Go Trojans!), student media, and Greek life. All types of students can find numerous ways to get involved outside of the classroom.
Fun fact: Because of USC's proximity to Hollywood, close ties between the School of Cinematic Arts and entertainment industry, and the architecture on campus, the university has been used in numerous movies, television series, commercials, and music videos. USC is frequently used by filmmakers, standing in for numerous other universities. Some movies include: Forrest Gump, The Social Network, The Girl Next Door, Legally Blonde, and so many more! (via Wikipedia)
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