@kevbostic What a great opportunity - starting abroad will grow him up quick and strong. We looked at that program as well at one point, curious to see how he likes the program. Best to the family!
I have a question about housing. My S still hasn’t decided (usc is one of two possible schools), but he didn’t sign up for housing at USC. Didn’t want to pay the non refundable fee back when he had 4 schools on his short list. Anyway- I was wondering, if he commits on May 1 and pays his housing deposit at that time, what dorms/dorm-types are likely? Does he hav to rank his choices? I think he wants a traditional set up where he could meet people (vs a suite where it’s easist to meet suite-mates).
@MomofJ5 He really shouldn’t have any trouble getting a set up that he wants. For traditional set up I would rank Birkrant, Pardee and Marks Tower all equal. You can also pick different configurations in the same dorm to use a couple choices. My third at USC is in Birkrant and it has been an exceptional experience, so my vote would be to put that first, but really, all three of those are good. It is known as 8 floors of open doors…I have been down there the last couple weekends and I love sitting in that lobby and seeing everyone say hey. It is also in the freshman quad so anyone getting coffee or sitting outside is a freshman to meet. My others did suites and apartments and by far this has been the best. The suites end up being like hotels with a long hallway of closed doors, but they do have AC which wasn’t important to mine (but a fan is). Social was the priority, but they aren’t crazy party dorms, just social ones. It took me four going to college to realize what a great thing traditional dorms are. They aren’t fancy or shiny new, but they give a great freshman experience.
Your student ranks their dorm choice 1-5. Shouldn’t be a problem. If your S has a roommate in mind, they should select the same choices and name each other as roommates.
My son was accepted into Freshman Science Honors. Anyonr else going that route?
@green26knight My daughter was accepted into FSH as well. Congrats to your son.
My S will do TO, not FSH. Anyone else?
@green26knight My daughter was also accepted into FSH. We were at admitted students day and we got to speak to some kids who have done it. It seemed to be a very positive experience for the kids I spoke to.
Took a LONG time to get the final decision made, but USC has been chosen. Whew. Now to figure all the rest of it out!
@Booajo Right there with you. S committed yesterday and we are very excited! now the real work begins…
@booajo That did take a long time, I thought you were already in and done with that awhile ago! Welcome to the Trojan Family! You too @decision18 - you have done your user name proud.
Thank you @CADREAMIN! It’s not much of an exaggeration to say we couldn’t have done it without you (and @WWWard). Your information and perspective have been amazing. The accepted students day yesterday helped a lot, too. Although S17 has been to SC many times visiting D20, this was different in a multitude of ways, for the obvious reasons. Great day. S is super happy. Us too!
@decision18 you’re welcome. Congrats on your decision. Fight On!
Thanks for the kind words @decision18 - what a wonderful time for you! Time to buy sweatshirts! USC is a very different place to visit after you are admitted, totally get that. With my 4th, we had been on campus at least 50 times since my first, (athlete and multiple kids attending, so there a lot) but standing there with my youngest, I absolutely had that moment (I can still see myself in it) where I glanced at her with the backdrop of Bovard in the distance and it washed over me - this is exactly the right place for her, this is where she should be. I call it a Hallmark moment…like the greeting card that just says perfectly what you are thinking. Others that knew our history, probably thought it was an obvious choice, but it took the package in hand to have that Hallmark moment. Sounds like you had yours too!
@CADREAMIN That’s it exactly. His experience of USC thus far has mostly been trailing after his sister and her boyfriend on the Row before football games and buying SC merch in the bookstore. It was a profoundly different experience Saturday, sitting in Bovard for the excellent Dornsife presentation, listening to why the University wants HIM, and what the next four years could look like. He told me later that’s where he had his AHA moment. The excitement when he realized, “I can see myself here.”
Anyone have any thoughts on their Architecture program?
Thanks to all of you for making USC the easiest school to research and get real advice and facts from people who are willing to help and share their knowledge. This USC thred has been amazing and I am grateful to those who shared significant time and good will to make our decisions more informed. I have finally made my decision and won’t be attending USC - but I wish all of you future Trojans the best of luck. It is a fantastic school and I bet you are going to love it.
@decision18 we were also in that Dornsife presentation and it was just great! My daughter had already committed but the whole day just made her even happier about it. When we flew home she was already bummed that he has to wait 6 1/2 weeks before going back for orientation!
DS18 committed to USC yesterday! Another Trojan in the house. Presidential Scholar and Thematic Options Honors. Fight on!
@TreeAlum Wasn’t Andrew Scott great (the Dornsife dean; I think that was his name)? The minute he started talking I felt my kid next to me engaging and getting psyched about everything he was hearing. We’ve been on a bit of a high ever since. Here’s hoping our kids cross paths! (Mine will be the one who looks beleaguered by how many hundreds of hours his mom has spent on College Confidential…)