Ask a USC student anything! - Page 7

GroovyGeek · 05-14-2007, 01:04 AM

Not making a choice between USC and X, at least not until next year, but wanted to ask a couple of questions about Annenberg.

1) My D is considering majoring in COM, with analytical inclination. In other words, she is more interested in the interdisciplinary aspects of communication analysis, rather than the generation of mass communication via various media and/or the PR aspects of it. How is the COM program in Annenberg oriented - more towards the former or the latter? How much latitude is there to tailor your study towards the analytical side? Looking at the list of faculty projects there seem to be plenty of people doing that kind of work, not sure if it is reflected in the curriculum, though.

2) Are admissions to Annenberg COM significantly more competitive than some of the other colleges?

proudtrojan · 05-14-2007, 01:56 AM

As I am not a student in Annenberg, I am not an expert on the focus of the communications curriculum. The USC/Annenberg Catalogue http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications...unication.html offers some information regarding the program and courses offered.

The school requires the following courses:
Communication as a Social Science
Communication as a Liberal Art
and four of the following five:
Introduction to Communication Technology
Introduction to Mass Communication Theory and Research
Public Speaking
Empirical Research in Communication
Argumentation and Advocacy

In addition, students take 6 upper-division courses. Although they can create their own cluster of classes, students are able to choose from a variety of areas of study including:
Media, Law, and Politics
Organizational and Interpersonal Communication
Communication and Culture
Entertainment, Communication, and Society

socal? · 05-14-2007, 11:59 AM

i'm trying to transfer from a "great deal - low tuition, high quality" in-state university, and i'm having a hard time convincing my mother that we can handle usc's tuition. i think my package is fairly generous, but i still have about $8,300 to make up for... and she's not willing to take out loans to cover it.

1. what constitutes a "good" financial aid package?

like i said, i come up $8,300 short, including the stafford, perkins, and work-study. i'm up for a couple of university scholarships that i haven't heard back about yet... they could bring in anywhere from $500 to $7,000. last year i got the pell grant and the seog grant, along with a "miscellaneous" grant, which came to about $6,000. i doubt usc has that much fed grant money to give me, as it's in much higher demand than it is at my current school, but i'm hoping to be awarded all three of those grants again. with a lot of luck, i might be able to scrape enough together to pay tuition... but if i'm denied some or all of those funds, i really need a backup.

2. have you guys had any success with getting your financial aid awards adjusted by pleading your case with the finaid office?

3. can you recommend any additional university resources that i could try?

For5aken · 05-14-2007, 04:36 PM

During orientation, I'm pretty sure the financial aid guys are there for people to talk to, and if you really need the money I'm sure they'll add some more. My roommate got an extra 5k from talking with one of the dudes. Just make sure you know what you're doing.

euniceleey · 06-10-2007, 10:54 AM

Can international student enrol into cc during summer?
which cc does usc students usually go to?
And what other courses would be possible (& advisable) for a business major to take at a cc?

southocmom · 06-10-2007, 07:58 PM

Hello! My son just got accepted into USC on Friday (2 days ago!) He is a sophomore transfer student. He's very excited. I am trying to help him as lots of decisions need to be made right away, for example housing. The on line site asks you to pick your top 5 choices. Not knowing any of the names, we are stuck. Any suggestions? And, since I'm a Mom are there areas that are safer than others? I am very worried about the area. Thanks for any help you can give.

cc411 · 06-11-2007, 01:04 AM

southocmom-
Housing choices really are personal based on the student. Some are more "social", some are more quiet, etc. There are lots of threads with discussions about them- here's a start- (you can do advanced search for more info)-
where do you want to live?
Answering Questions about Housing/Overall Opinions from a current Freshman

All of the dorms are on campus (or within the immediate vicinity) and there is really no difference in safety between them. Here is a link about safety:
Is USC area safe?

For the record, both of my sons chose to live in New or North (they are attached and basically the same thing.) It is considered the most "social" dorm and therefore a little noisy.

precious10 · 06-11-2007, 01:42 AM

Anybody have information on the Philosophy division at USC? I was accepted as a philosophy major as a sophomore and was wondering how any current students would rate that area of the college. Thanks.

HImom · 06-11-2007, 02:19 AM

The dorms are mainly housing for freshmen. Most of the upperclass students (including transfers) live in apartments. The exception is that some non-frosh live in the dean's halls--Trojan and Marks Halls. Priority for those are given to merit scholarship students.

jbusc · 06-11-2007, 02:37 AM

For off-campus housing, if safety is a concern, then definitely try to get something within the patrol area of DPS. I think you can look it up online somewhere, or else you can always call them and ask.