<p>Hi mattyrice10101,</p>
<p>I’m a senior, who transferred in from Penn State back in the Fall of 2012, so here’s my take on USC.</p>
<p>What is the feel of USC? Well, USC is a pretty big school. Not as big as Penn State from what I remember it. The campus is very flat, so biking/skateboarding is a very popular option among students for getting around campus. That said, some areas of campus can get really clustered and you have to watch out for bikers so they wont run into you! Walking is do-able, but most prefer to bike to classes, and it can be very helpful if you live on campus, considering some areas around the school is dangerous to be in after hours. The buildings are mostly very nice, very Euro-Spanish feel. The nicest buildings are for the Cinema school, Public Policy, and some business buildings. Doheny Library and the new Annenberg building are both worth checking out. The school of liberal arts, known as Dornsife, is housed in a little bit dingier, older buildings, but nothing too bad. The campus feels very wide, despite being closed off from the surrounding community, with a lot of cafes and hidden spots you can discover throughout your time here. I really like the vibe I get here. Don’t get me wrong, Penn State was beautiful in its own rights, but I’m a west coast boy so I really like the conservative but chill vibe I get here at USC.</p>
<p>Waiting lists for classes? The waits are not as bad as that of public schools. That’s the advantage of being at a private school, or USC. I remember getting into some of my intro courses at PSU was extremely difficult, which resulted me in taking a ton of electives that did not pertain to my major. There are waits for some classes, but many people drop it during the first week, which allows you to snag a spot if you’re out on the look. As you also accrue more credits, you get to sign up a lot earlier than most people and you won’t have much of an issue once you’re in junior status. So, all in all, having to wait for classes is inevitable for some cases, but nowhere near as bad as the waits I hear the students at UCLA have to deal with.</p>
<p>If I were to compare my experience here vs. at PSU, I’d definitely choose USC. For one, it’s in LA. This city is so interesting and diverse in its own rights that it really doesn’t compare to the east coast cities, imo. You do need a car if you plan to get out of USC area or go anywhere. If you don’t have one, you’re not doomed. There’s the metro, which is growing undoubtedly, and there’s buses/taxis and all that stuff. But if you can get a car here, I highly recommend it. I think going to USC and experiencing LA is essential to your time here. You can get trapped in a bubble if you stay near campus too long. </p>
<p>If you or anyone else have any questions, feel free to message me.</p>