LGBT social life at USC

USCAlum05
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:53:52 +0000

I think the idea that USC is right wing is laughable. This isn’t the 1960s and the student body isn’t all WASPy white kids from Orange County. USC draws people from all over the world, and it is only conservative to the extent that its emphasis on professional degrees (largest major on campus is business) means that people are more focused on grades and networking and starting their own companies than they are in attending one protest after another, as might be the case on other campuses. People still care - the school has a strong culture of volunteering and community service - it’s just that they are focused on quietly making a difference rather than screaming in the streets.

As for LGBT specifics, well I’m straight but as a film school alum and having been in and around the performing arts since high school, I have plenty of gay friends and have never particularly sensed any of them being excluded (except when Prop 8 passed - that’s a different story). USC has a very strong artsy culture and I think that that’s going to make it more accepting than most schools around the country. USC is only conservative by California standards (one of the most liberal states in the country), which is laughable. Even then, this isn’t Pepperdine or Biola. This is a large school with lots of people from all over the world and no matter where you go or what you do, at USC you’ll always be able to find “your people.” Yes, the Greek scene is big enough, although at any other large school you’re going to have a big Greek scene - but there are plenty of people who never have anything to do with Greeks and are perfectly happy. Conversely, there are also those whose whole life is the Greek system. But it’s big enough that, as I said, you can always find “your people.”

I’m guessing that Miami is pretty culturally similar albeit with a different ethnic mix (less Asian, more Hispanic / Cuban) as one of my film school classmates went to Miami for his first year before transferring over to USC. He liked Miami enough although for film obviously USC is the better school. But USC is definitely a better school overall - Miami nowadays is where USC was 20 years ago before Dr. Sample came in and completely turned the school around. That may be different on a department by department basis, but a gap of 20-30 spots in the overall rankings is not the same as a gap of 2-3 spots.

Good luck with your choices. I do mean it - I think USC has something for everyone, and I’d worry more about quality programs in your fields of interest than I would about fitting in.