@dot228 - I just saw your response to @CADREAMIN, now I understand your first impression, you were being hosted by a “frat guy”. Don’t let him leave a bad impression. You indicated he kind of ignored your group and was chatting up his other frat brothers. USC needs to screen their hosts better. I don’t think they have the same issue with their tour guides. The bad apples get flushed quickly. My daughter knows a girl who was a host last year who had no business being a host.
What I can say is my daughter loves attending USC. She has not described a cutthroat environment at all. That may be different if you’re in say, SCA, maybe Marshall, others may be able to give you feedback on those schools.
The fact that you are in the running for a Trustee does indicate you’ll likely excel at USC.