University of Southern California Visit Report by CMK2901

Visit Activities:

Information Session: Yes - The campus overview was low tech; no PowerPoint or similar presentation, but information was presented thoroughly. The engineering info session was extremely informative and useful.

Campus Tour: Yes - I go to California for one day and it rains...hard. Still though, the university seemed very beautiful. You feel like you're in a theme park (what I mean, is its very clean, calm, and beautiful

Classroom Visit: Yes - Some of the older buildings seemed a bit worn, but the new buildings were spectacular. Classrooms are smallish (fit about 60 people max) and seemed very high-tech (speakers, projectors, computers...)

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Campus:

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Some looked a bit unhappy (probably the cold&rainy weather), but those I talked to were very friendly and helpful. I couldn't say anything bad about them. The Greek system was very unnotice

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They seemed very interested in the students' educations and were very approachable. Professors have office hours, counselor advisement is mandatory; they really seem to care about ALL their stud

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It even looked good in the rain. I was a bit disappointed at first, but once you get around the whole campus, it really feels very cozy/comfortable.

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Newer buildings are kept up well, but some older buildings seemed very bland/rundown in some cases. Outdoors was beautiful; no garbage, though the sidewalks around the carparks were pretty beat up.

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I didn't actually go in one, but the students seemed to like them. Just as an impression from outside, though, most dorms looked pretty old.

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The campus is guarded 24/7 by Campus Security and the campus is surrounded on all sides by a wall; entrances have security booths and entering people must check in.

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I wasn't completely blown away, but it was excellent. I wasn't sure USC would be good for me, but the tour has made me seriously rethink that. Just amazing.

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Off-Campus:

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South and east are nice areas. The area surrounding USC is a low-income community, and it was a bit offsetting for myself, not really being a big city person. But again, I felt safe; no worries.

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The Los Angeles area is rich with professional and personal opportunities that would be difficult to find elsewhere. Hollywood right up the road, beach right down freeway; just a happinin' place

Campus Visit Notes for University of Southern California

Visit Description:

I did the "Preview USC" program.

Well, it was raining, so that sucked. We had an hour long, verbal campus information session, which included Q&A with both an admissions representative and a current student.

This was followed by a walking tour, which was very informative; I learned a lot of valuable information that just "seeing" the campus would not give.

Then we split into groups based on our major and went to an info session for that particular school. This was extremely helpful, and something I did not get with other college tours. I learned exactly what my major was about, what was expected from me, and what options I had. This was followed by an informal walking tour with a current student around the school you were in (engineering, communications, film, etc).

There was also an optional hour long financial aid meeting, but I had a flight to catch, so I missed this. I bet it would have been great, though.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Go to the Radison, if at all possible, located across the street from USC; we got a hotel all the way in Calabasas, and the freeway commute was terrible.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

We were on a tight schedule, so we only did fast food. If you're not from the area, though, I'd look for an In N' Out burger place and try them out.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

If you have time, there's plenty to see. Bring coins to feed the meters. Rent-a-car is a must. Avoid freeways when in a rush; you can get stuck in traffic 1-2 hours easy.