Help me convince my parents to let me go to SC!

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I’m 16 years old, senior, and I live in Florida. I got in and want to go to USC (Fall 2010). My parents want me to go to the University of Florida, but they do not want me to go to USC. I really want to go to USC, so I’m going to type up a list of the reasons why USC is better than UF. I’m looking for help, I mean. I want to be a lawyer, so should I mention something about law school? It would look better to apply to law school from USC than UF, correct?</p>

<p>So legally, I guess they can tell me I can’t go to USC. I turn 17 in 20 days (April 22nd). It’s really frustrating because I earned this! I went more in depth on a thread in the Parents Forum, you could probably find it around there somewhere. They haven’t really been supportive of my education, I’ve done this all on my own. Graduating in only 3 years from high school, really they can’t name the classes I’m taking right now.</p>

<p>Anyone else that can come up with some ideas why USC is just simply a better school than UF? Political Science is probably going to be my major. I have to leave, but I’ll probably write more later. Ask questions if you want! Haha I’m in a unique situation I guess… I’m gay, if that matters at all either… I don’t know why it would. I’m a really mature guy, so I’m kinda shocked they won’t let me go.</p>

<p>I got in and have the right to be a Trojan! This isn’t fair!
I’ll do as the song says, FIGHT ON!</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/689479-sc-kind-university-where.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/689479-sc-kind-university-where.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>More from here: [Some</a> Fun Facts about USC* §Aª¾¹D*º¦ìµn¤W¤ë²yªº¤ÓªÅ¤H¬O«n¥[¤j¤H¶Ü](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/International_Offices/Taipei/USC_fun_facts.htm]Some”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/International_Offices/Taipei/USC_fun_facts.htm) and wikipedia.</p>

<p>The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has nominated at least one USC alumnus every year since the inception of the Academy Awards in 1929. </p>

<p>Since 1973, at least one alumnus of SCA has been nominated for an Academy Award annually, totaling 256 nominations and 78 wins.</p>

<p>Since 1973, at least one SCA alumnus or alumna has been nominated for the Emmy Award annually, totalling 473 nominations and 119 wins.</p>

<p>The top-17 grossing films of all time have had an SCA graduate in a key creative position.</p>

<p>Students at SCA produce over 234 hours of motion picture each year and complete more than 100 full-length screenplays.</p>

<p>USC’s first class valedictorian was a woman, Minnie C. Miltimore, class of 1884.</p>

<p>USC physicians serve more than one million patients each year. I don’t know if you’ve seen this but it’s amazing: <a href=“http://content.hcpro.com/jpg/content/244500.jpg[/url]”>http://content.hcpro.com/jpg/content/244500.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Since 1912, USC is the only university in the world to have a gold medal-winning athlete in every summer Olympiad.</p>

<p>USC student Tommy Walker composed the trumpet “Charge,” now heard far and wide at athletic contests.</p>

<p>1970 Alumnus Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon.</p>

<p>USC’s “Fight On” song was used to inspire combat-bound troops in the Aleutians Campaign during World War II.</p>

<p>USC’s Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy are the first and oldest in Southern California.</p>

<p>USC is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles.</p>

<p>USC graduates designed Los Angeles’ City Hall, the Department of Water and Power Building, St. Basil’s Catholic Church, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.</p>

<p>A 400-pound stone fragment from the ancient city of Troy is in front of Taper Hall. The stone, quarried before 1200 B.C., once stood in the courtyard of a building believed to have been a temple of Trojan Apollo. Given to the university in 1952 by the Republic of Turkey, the stone links the modern USC traditions of Troy with that of the ancient Trojans.</p>

<p>USC students have been known as Trojans for more than 80 years. The “Trojan” tradition originated from a 1912 Los Angeles Times article by sports writer Owen Bird, who likened the fighting spirit of USC athletes to the ancient Trojans.</p>

<p>Now a campus landmark fondly nicknamed “Tommy Trojan,” this life-size bronze statue of a Trojan warrior was unveiled on June 6, 1930, as part of USC’s 50th birthday celebration. Sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham, Tommy Trojan was modeled after different USC football players. On the bronze statue’s granite pedestal are inscribed the qualities of the ideal Trojan: “faithful, scholarly, skillful, courageous, and ambitious.”</p>

<p>The history of the “Spirit of Troy,” the USC marching band, goes back to the inception of the university in 1880. The contemporary Trojan band began in 1970 with the arrival of Dr. Arthur C. Bartner and his unique “drive-it” style of marching. The band has performed at the Academy Awards, the Hollywood Bowl, the Rose Parade, and in numerous film and television productions. In 1979, the Trojan Marching Band recorded the title track for the album “Tusk” with the rock group Fleetwood Mac, which resulted in a platinum album for that song; no other collegiate marching band has ever been so honored.</p>

<p>The USC marching band is the only one in the U.S. that has earned a platinum record. In fact, the band’s earned two.</p>

<p>USC has more than 25,000 alumni outside of the USA.</p>

<p>USC is the only US university that has four regional offices in Asia: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, and Taiwan.</p>

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<p>im sorry : [ my parents did the same to me when i wanted to go to NYU. but unfortunately i didnt get in (but they dont know that so they keep asking me about it!) yeah it definitely sucks that they wont let u go there because its really hard to get into (i didnt get in) and its verrry prestigious. just cry in front of them, although my parents knew i was soo mad when they kept telling me i couldnt go. and then they tricked me and said they got the letter but threw it away : [ and i asked if i got in and they said i was denied. However, they didn’t know if i was denied or accepted when they said that. EVIL parents!! just remind them everyday that UR GOING TO USC. maybe that’ll work. whether they like it or not. sorry idk if that was much help but i hope they let u go!!</p>

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<p>USC is indeed a wonderful school, but if you’re a FL resident, the cost difference between attending UF and USC (if you don’t have a great financial aid package or merit-based scholarship from USC) is going to be tens of thousands of dollars – per year! Have you talked with your parents about their financial situation? Is it possible that sending you to USC would be difficult for them from that perspective? If this is the case, it is difficult to see them as “EVIL parents!!” as per the preceding poster.</p>

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<p>Nester is right, their financial situation IS really important. I hope you get a great financial aid package from USC so that you can go. :(</p>

<p>If that doesn’t happen, you can try telling them that this is basically an investment towards your future. And you’re going into LAW so you’ll be able to pay them back (with interest)! Just try to make them think of it as a loan from them to you.</p>

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<p>^do what dream says. Other than the fact that she’s a genius, my parents and I agreed on the same thing. Because the program at USC was so intensive and full of Hollywood opportunities, my parents told me that I would have to pay for my youngest brothers to go to college after I got my television writing job.</p>

<p>Now I’m just hoping a television writing job pans out :)</p>

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<p>^ YES, the connections you make at USC will be worth the tuition. I have a friend that goes there and she’s been to Q&As with ridiculously awesome people (Colin Firth, Matt Weiner, others). I mean, I know you’re not planning on going into Film or anything but it’s the same for Poli Sci. You’ll be exposed to so many important people in the field. UF doesn’t have a Trojan family.</p>

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<p>I should have been more specific. My FAFSA efc is 1271 and we are in 200k of home debt. Annual income is around 40k AND my family has two students in college.</p>

<p>I’m banking on GREAT financial aid, since we don’t have any assets really either. 100% need meet, should be at least in the low 50k’s, right???</p>

<p>Nester - “tens of thousands of dollars – per year”</p>

<p>How at ALL is that true if I get my need met by USC and the gap is like 2k-4k? UF offered me 6300$ in LOANS to make up the rest of my cost of attendance. Plus my parents need to pay like 1250</p>

<p>So I mean, it is very possible that USC could end up being cheaper. I’ve heard good stories with very low EFC’s getting 54k in financial aid with only 2500 in loans! I’m hoping it will work out. I’m not going to be in 10k debt per year Nester, if I am then USC is out of the picture.</p>

<p>Thanks Everyone for the advice! I’m typing up a letter now. Anyone else with some input? I’d like to go in depth with USC connections like. The Law School is highly prestigious, so I would think that if I go to USC it’ll be easier to get in to the law school? Then, after that I will be able to pay off my loans with no doubt, with the connections at USC. It’s LA!</p>

<p>Aghhh I wanna go so bad :(</p>

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<p>I think you could get really good financial aid. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!</p>

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<p>If you dont get an outstanding aid package, I cant blame your parents. You’re not rolling in money, so to take on that kind of burden for your family would be immature and wrong. Have you considered that flying cross country isn’t free? UF is a fantastic school, and is the biggest bargain in higher ed with Bright Futures. The Trojan family is what it is, but Gator Nation is not exactly small. My father went to law school at UF and is very successful. You’ll be fine if you go to UF.</p>

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<p>OP – I think you might have missed the part where I said “IF you don’t have a great financial aid package or merit-based scholarship from USC…” At the point when you receive your FA package from USC, you may be able to show your parents that attending school there will actually be less expensive for them and require less loan debt for you than UF. I would think that this would be a strong argument, especially if you are planning on law school and don’t want to take on that three year committment already burdened with large student loans. </p>

<p>Some things you might want to look for on the USC and UF websites so you can show your parents the comparison are 1.) class size; 2.) student-professor ratio; 3.) law school placement statistics; 4.) job placement statistics; 5.) national awards won by students at both schools; 6.) national awards won by professors at both schools; 7.) research opportunities for undergraduates. Also look at the internship opportunities at both schools. Finally, if you want a double major or one or two minors, note that USC has a policy of facilitating these and has special scholarships for students who do this – not the case at many other universities. The US News and World Report rankings for USC versus UF might also impress your parents.</p>

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<p>U.S.News…</p>

<p>In National Universities</p>

<p>SC Ranked 26, Peer assessment is 3.9. That is only a tiny percentage point below Rice, Emory, Georgetown and Vanderbilt at 4.0. Very, very close</p>

<p>FLA Ranked 47, Peer assessment is 3.6.</p>

<p>Faculty Resources</p>

<p>SC Ranked 27th
FLA Ranked 144th</p>

<p>Faculty Student Ratio</p>

<p>SC 1/9
FLA 1/20 That is the worst out of the 50 colleges ranked.</p>

<p>Selectivity</p>

<p>SC Ranked 20th Ranked 98% by Princeton Review
FLA Ranked 39th</p>

<p>Acceptance Rate</p>

<p>SC 21.9%
FLA 39 %</p>

<p>Alumni Giving Rank</p>

<p>SC 7th
FLA 79th</p>

<p>I could not find one ranking statistic where FLA ranked higher than USC. USC has stellar schools of theatre, music, fine arts, communications, cinematic arts, gerontology, business and pre-professional programs in Occcupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.</p>

<p>Alumni list is outstanding. It can be accessed by using Bing. It is pages long.</p>

<p>If SC is your dream school and you know it is the right fit for you, enroll at SC IF IF the financial aid package will be sufficient to keep you and your family free from major debt.</p>

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<p>"If you dont get an outstanding aid package, I cant blame your parents. You’re not rolling in money, so to take on that kind of burden for your family would be immature and wrong. Have you considered that flying cross country isn’t free? UF is a fantastic school, and is the biggest bargain in higher ed with Bright Futures. The Trojan family is what it is, but Gator Nation is not exactly small. My father went to law school at UF and is very successful. You’ll be fine if you go to UF. "</p>

<p>Forgive me if I come across as rude. It all looks good when you get tuition covered but then still have to cover room and board and other expenses. What are we defining as outstanding aid? If I get 5500 in loans from USC, is that okay? Why wouldn’t it be, if UF is giving me 6000$ in loans?</p>

<p>Here is teh link to my other thread, it has some information if you’re curious: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/877995-convincing-my-parents-let-me-go-college-17-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/877995-convincing-my-parents-let-me-go-college-17-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Immature and wrong??? Burden for my family? My parents aren’t paying squat besides the 1271 that they are considering! They didn’t seem to care about cost until USC came in the picture. They can’t tell you my GPA, don’t pay for my gas to get to school (which is 20 miles away!!), don’t pay for most of my school expenses, and haven’t done anything for my education really. Why is it their decision now? I have earned this and the right to go to the school I WANT TO. This so isn’t fair. I really can’t believe people are flocking to the defense of my parents. People meet me in person and are extremely impressed with my maturity and goals. This is why my counselor and school district have strongly supported my decision.</p>

<p>I’ll be fine at Florida? Sure I will. I know I will. But why haven’t I earned the right to experience Los Angeles, and go to USC? I want to be a Trojan. If it’s affordable, this is like the biggest opportunity in my life.</p>

<p>In my opinion, my parents don’t deserve any rights over me. I’ve been my own parent. I’ve learned through growing up and watching how they’ve treated my older siblings. My older sister was accepted to UCF but family troubles led her to end up at community college (not that this is bad, it’s just showing what can happen).</p>

<p>“Have you considered that flying cross country isn’t free?”</p>

<p>Yes I have. My ticket will be one-way. If they want me to come home and visit, then I hope they will provide the fees. If not, I can work and pay my way. I’m a certified soccer referee and have experience in the food business. If they aren’t going to help me out with travel costs, then no I won’t come back and visit often at all. This isn’t right, I’m sick of hearing why are you going to do this to your parents? Why are you going to leave your best friend?</p>

<p>Other people’s parents say to me, why are you going all the way to California? Why can’t you stay close to everyone? There are just a few encouraging people in my life who actually care and focus on what I WANT to do with my life. After all, this is MY life. Everybody else is focusing on how its going to affect them. Why can’t people encourage me? I’ve earned my way, getting great grades and working TWO jobs!</p>

<p>If USC admits a student to their fine institution at 17 when he will attend, that has to mean they are confident that he will succeed. I’ve read articles on 3 year graduates and how colleges take that extra deep look into their file. </p>

<p>UF is a bargain, but compare it to my package at University of Rochester which costs 54k yearly, it would be a 1k-2k$ difference no matter if my parents helped support. That’s really not a bargain in my eyes, I still have to take on loans no matter what… </p>

<p>Nester-</p>

<p>"I would think that this would be a strong argument, especially if you are planning on law school and don’t want to take on that three year committment already burdened with large student loans. "</p>

<p>That’s pretty much going to be the focus of my argument. What makes me mad the most, guess what my parents have asked about my studies next year?</p>

<p>Nothing. Do they know what electives I’ve been exploring this year? No. Do they know that I put down Political Science as my major? Nottttta. It’s so frustrating.</p>

<p>I could tell them tomorrow I’m going to med school and they wouldn’t act surprised. They know I’ll succeed in whatever I do, so why try to dictate my life?</p>

<p>Yeah I already have the USNews rankings jotted down, just cause they make USC look good :slight_smile: Haha, they won’t know the difference. Sorry for ranting everyone. I’m really a calm guy, and I never get angry. But this situation ticks me off. Why is it okay for uninvolved parents to choose a school for their kid, when they are not educated themselves? I’m not trying to be insulting, but neither of them have degrees or know the first steps of the admissions processes. Not fair.</p>

<p>Anything else anyone :slight_smile:
Moral Support / positive comments would be nice!</p>

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<p>Well it sounds like your issues stem beyond should you go to USC or UF. Your best bet is to either become an emancipated minor or to work or travel or do something and go to college at 18, when you’re an adult.</p>

<p>So basically what you’re saying is you will incur all costs related to college (room, board, books, tuition, loans, food, etc.) and will not rely on your parents at all?</p>

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<p>Yes dionte, that is what I’m saying. They MAY pay the FAFSA generated $1,271 but I’m not exactly sure yet. If I go to USC, they probably won’t pay anything. I really don’t know.</p>

<p>I’m okay with that, IF THEY LET ME CHOOSE WHERE I WANT TO GO.</p>

<p>If they said we’ll give you more money so going to UF is essentially free, maybe I’d consider it ;)</p>

<p>But I’m not trying to do that, I understand they have financial problems. This is a break I’m getting. With Financial Aid, a private education in California is possible! In this economy, that’s crazy to turn down!!</p>

<p>I don’t plan to live in Florida when I’m older. Is there any information/support I can use to back up the claim that a degree from U Florida will not mean as much outside of Florida than a USC degree?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Dear LMU,</p>

<p>I’m about to give you some unsolicited advice as a parent who hopes you will be able to attend USC. It sounds as if there are two connected issues here. The first issue is that you feel USC is the best college for you and that you have earned the right to attend the school assuming it doesn’t pose a huge financial burden for your parents. The second issue is that you are furious at your parents both for not being involved in your education and for perhaps putting up a road block to you attending the college of your dreams.</p>

<p>A problem you are having on this thread is that the second issue is spilling over to the way you are discussing the first. Although you may well be a very calm and mature guy who has fought for his own education, has worked, and has made a reasonable and affordable plan for his higher education, your anger about your folks and anyone who seems to support your folks undermines this impression.</p>

<p>This is my advice. Wait for the USC FA package to arrive. See if USC is, in fact, less expensive for you than attending UF, or even if it is about the same price. If it is, and if you, yourself, are prepared to handle the loans and costs, then all you need from your parents is a signature. Write a calm and mature list of the advantages of USC. If you have a great, supportive GC or minister or other adult your parents respect, you might bring them in on this (in a seriously calm, mature way, without attacking your parents at all) and have them look at the list, and even help you present it to your parents. Then present your parents with the USC documents to sign.</p>

<p>Avoid drama, fighting, and any carrying on about college before you have this sit down with your folks. You want them to be the most kindly disposed possible toward your college plan – not defensive or angry.</p>

<p>If your parents absolutely refuse to sign off on USC, you have several choices. You could attend UF, of course. You could find out, through a lawyer, if there is a way that, as a 17 year old, you can get into a position that you could be legally responsible for yourself (emancipation?), although this might involve a serious rift with your folks which, in the final analysis, might not be worth it to you. Finally, and this would really be a pain given all you’ve gone through to graduate in three years, you could see if USC would allow you to take a gap year, holding your place and your (hopefully excellent) FA package for you, assuming that at age 18 you could attend without parental consent. (You would have to make sure that at 18 you could do this on your own. I’m not positive this is the case. Also, would you still need your parents’ tax forms and financial info and would they be willing to provide it if you took this step?) </p>

<p>If you will be 18 before second semester starts, I wonder if you could enter as a spring admit? You might also talk over the situation with USC if your parents refuse to sign and see about attending UF for a year, getting a lot of your gen ed requirements out of the way, and then transferring into USC as an 18 year old soph.</p>

<p>In any case, it seems very important to address the anger and frustration you’re dealing with, maybe even with a really good counselor you trust who will be able to support you, so it doesn’t spill over into other areas of your life and make it harder for you to achieve your goals.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>You’re not going to beat your parents in this. Any information won’t make a difference. There’s nothing you can do if you wish to go to college next year.</p>

<p>As I said, if you are willing to incur all costs you’ll have in college, your best bet is to take them to court and become an emancipated minor. That, or wait until you’re 18.</p>

<p>I really hope you have a very well paying job, because I couldn’t pay for room and board, meal plans and spending money without my parents.</p>

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<p>Nester. Thank you so much. In a week or so when I receive my financial aid package, do you mind if I send you the letter that I plan to show to my parents, and you could critique it? I appreciate your help, and sorry if I have been offensive.</p>

<p>The Spring Admit would be nice, but unfortunately I won’t be 18 until April 22nd, 2011. Frustrating, i know.</p>

<p>Dionte -</p>

<p>It’s just the fact that bothers me is why UF at 17 and not USC? UF is ranked #2 party school in the nation, and has many other high rankings in party-related categories. They don’t seem to care about that, just the city of the school.</p>

<p>Well, room and board, food, transportation, etc. are all included in the Cost of Attendance, which I’m hoping financial aid will cover most of. If it does, I will need very little support from my parents, especially if I get a job. I’m hoping Soccer will provide opportunities too.</p>

<p>Also, has anyone ever heard of USC allowing to defer admission for a year? I’m not sure if they do or not.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>The irony in all of this is my parents are FSU fans. Florida State Seminoles. Their colors match USC. Why do they wnt me to be a Gator?? Haha (:</p>

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<p>If you think USC isn’t a party school too, you’re sorely mistaken. I think your parents feel that you, a minor, going to college across the country, may not be ready. I went to college in Boston, 5 hours away from home, and wasn’t really ready. I was also 18 when I started. I couldn’t imagine being across the country from home as a freshman.</p>

<p>You need to figure out what your financial aid package looks like first. Worry about this stuff after you figure out your COA. Also be sure to figure out your yearly expenses and if you can afford them yourself.</p>