<p>This is slightly OT, but if any of your kids are Jewish, you might want to consider getting to USC a day early for USC Hillel’s freshfest. This is a one day retreat just before move-in day (Your child will be allowed to move his or her stuff into the dorm one day early to accommodate this.) that is more social than religious, a combination of getting to know you at an overnight in the mountains near campus and having access to upper classmen who answer questions and provide lots of helpful info. This allowed our S to start school already knowing a lot of other students, and he made a several friends there. (There is also a brunch with a q&a session and a panel for parents only, as the students take off to enjoy each others’ company.) This is the link: [USC</a> Hillel | FreshFest 2011](<a href=“http://uschillel.org/freshfest/]USC”>http://uschillel.org/freshfest/)</p>