This week is NACAC week (that’s the National Association for College Admission Counseling), and this year’s conference is being held in Los Angeles, CA!
Yesterday, I visited the five Claremont Colleges (including Pomona, Scripps, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer). Today…
I’m visiting USC!
Despite its location in the heart of LA, USC's campus is super walkable and full of beautiful shady trees and green spaces.
WHY IS THIS SCHOOL AWESOME?
Olivia: USC is the rare gem of a university that has a large traditional campus while being located truly in the heart of a major city: in this case, Los Angeles.
It’s also brimming with school spirit! Of course, the types of students who become tour guides are usually outgoing and love their school, but I have to say USC really takes school spirit to the next level. Students called out the “Fight on!” slogan to our guide all throughout the tour, and everyone we met shared a truly palpable love for the school. One of the seniors at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism even started tearing up at the thought of this being her last year at USC.
USC's School of Cinematic Arts has close ties to many prominent Hollywood filmmakers, including George Lucas (a USC alumnus) and Steven Spielberg (not an alumnus but a major campus donor).
FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS?
Olivia: There are so many to choose from! But if I had to choose one, I’d say the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). The architecture is absolutely stunning, and the whole complex is modeled after an authentic Hollywood backlot. This place shows so clearly how much Hollywood’s entertainment industry has invested in USC as a training ground for all things film and media.
5 WORDS TO DESCRIBE CAMPUS?
Olivia: Bustling, Vibrant, Red, Proud, State-of-the-Art
The Tutor Campus Center, at the heart of the USC campus, is a bustling hub for activity all day long.
THE "TYPICAL STUDENT" IS...
Olivia: Energetic, driven, and actively engaged with the causes that matter to them. But besides that, every USC student is totally different and pursuing their own path.
For example, of my two former students that currently attend USC, one is involved in a cultural group, a student magazine, Greek life, and interning in the finance industry. The other is less involved in campus organizations but loves attending athletic events and spends a lot of time doing biomedical research and volunteering at local hospitals in LA.
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE?
Olivia: USC definitely puts a significant emphasis on building a global community, ensuring each year that about 20% of their undergraduates are international. International students are encouraged to integrate into all aspects of life at USC, but there are also many cultural organizations on campus that help connect students to others from their part of the world.
It is important to note that USC does not allocate any financial aid for international students, so any international hopefuls need to be able to pay full tuition. International students are eligible for scholarships, but these are extremely competitive and offered only to a small subset of admitted students.
The globe that sits atop the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences represents USC’s commitment to fostering a global mindset and building a diverse campus community.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS/OFFERINGS APPLICANTS SHOULD CONSIDER?
Olivia: So many! USC has so many unique and/or interdisciplinary majors, everything from Human Development and Aging to Jazz Studies to Artificial Intelligence for Business. If you’re looking for a specific niche program, USC probably offers it. A couple more highlights include:
World Bachelor of Business – Students spend their first year at USC, second year in Hong Kong at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and third year in Milan at Bocconi University, then they choose any of the three campuses on which to complete their final year, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree from all three universities.
Business of Cinematic Arts – This program is a combined BS degree between the School of Cinematic Arts and Marshall School of Business, allowing students to explore deeply the business side of the film and television industry.
Music Industry – Our tour guide’s major! Prepares students to enter the music industry as talent scouts, promoters, tour managers, you name it. For one of her classes, our tour guide had to organize, promote, and run a live concert for members of the USC community!
Public Relations and Advertising – USC has the second-largest newsroom in all of Los Angeles, second only to the LA times! Students across PR, Journalism, and Communication get hands-on access to state-of-the-art production equipment and industry turnaround times.
TIPS FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
Olivia: USC does admit by major, and students can select a first choice and second choice program. The vast majority of students are admitted to their first choice program, so it’s important to be very thoughtful about your choice and make sure your reasoning is reflected in your essays.
When selecting your majors of choice, keep in mind that while it is possible to change majors or schools once at USC, some programs (namely those that require some form of audition or portfolio) are not easy to transfer into. Also, students are not permitted to transfer into Computer Science, even if they were admitted to another program in the Viterbi School of Engineering.
When it comes to activities, the admissions office really wants to see students pursue what they love. This helps the office get a sense of how you’ll contribute to the USC campus and community.
USC's Hall of Champions showcases the university's impressive collection of Heisman Trophies, NCAA championships, Olympic athletes, and more.
FUN FACTS?
Olivia: Again, so many! Here are a few of my favorites:
Lots of films and TV shows are filmed on campus, and USC has played Harvard in movies more times than Harvard has played Harvard!
Maymesters and Julymesters give students the opportunity to study abroad for 1 month either at the end of spring semester or before fall semester—and the cost of these courses is included in your tuition!
USC’s athletes (either as students or as alumni) have won at least one gold medal at every Olympic Summer Games since 1912!
Next stop: