Enrollment: 16608
Most Popular Majors: Business Administration and Management, General,Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 01/10
Student Faculty Ratio: 9:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 249
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $23,131.00

Students Pack the Stadiums
2010 Top Entrepreneurial Programs: Undergraduate

Students Say - Academics
The University of Southern California boasts "a dynamic and culturally diverse campus located in a world-class city which is equally dynamic and culturally diverse." Everything related to cinema is "top notch." Among the other 150 or so majors here, programs in journalism, business, engineering, and architecture are particularly notable. The honors programs are "very good," too. One of the best perks about USC is its "large and enthusiastic alumni network." Becoming "part of the Trojan Family" is a great way to jumpstart your career because USC graduates love to hire other USC graduates. "Almost everyone talks about getting job offers based solely on going to USC." "The school seems to run very smoothly, with few administrative issues ever being problematic enough to reach the awareness of the USC student community," says an international relations major. The top brass "is a bit mysterious and heavy handed," though. Also, "they milk every dime they can get from you." Academically, some students call the general education courses "a complete waste of time." There are a few "real narcissists" on the faculty as well as some professors "who seem to just be there because they want to do research." Overall, though, students report professors "make the subject matter come alive" and make themselves "very available" outside the classroom. "My academic experience at USC is fabulous," gushes an aerospace engineering major. "I would not choose any other school."

Students Say - Campus Life
Students at USC complain quite a bit about their "smelly, ugly" housing. Recreation facilities aren't much, either. "For such an athletic school, the student gym is embarrassing." Also, students stress the fact that the area around USC is "impoverished" and "notoriously unsafe." "People get mugged all the time." On campus, though, life is "vibrant." There are more than 600 student organizations. Theatrical and musical productions are "excellent." School spirit is "extreme" and "infectious." "Football games are huge." "There is absolutely nothing that can top watching our unbelievable football team throttle the competition," says a merciless sophomore. "Drinking is a big part of the social scene" as well. "We definitely have some of the sickest parties ever," claims an impressed freshman. "Greek life is very big" and, on the weekends, a strong contingent of students "religiously" visits "The Row, the street lined with all the fraternity and sorority houses." Students also have "the sprawling city of Los Angeles as their playground." It's an "eclectic place with both high and low culture and some of the best shopping in the world." "Hollywood clubs and downtown bars" are popular destinations. Art exhibits, concerts, and "hip restaurants" are everywhere. However, "you need a car." L.A. traffic may be "a buzz kill" but students report that it's considerably preferable to the "absolutely terrible" public transportation system.

Students Say - Student Body
The one thing that unites everyone here is "tons of Trojan pride." USC students are also "intensely ambitious" and, while there are some "complete slackers," many students hit the books "harder than they let on." Otherwise, students insist that, "contrary to popular belief, USC has immense diversity." "The stereotypical USC student is a surfer fraternity bro or a tan, trendy sorority girl from the O.C." You'll find plenty of those. Many students are also "extremely good looking." Ethnic minorities and a high number of international students make up sizeable contingents of the undergraduate population as well. If you're gay, you shouldn't have any problems. "No one cares what your gender orientation is," says a first-year student. There are "prissy L.A. types" and "spoiled" kids. In some circles, "family income and the brands of clothes you wear definitely matter." However, "though there are quite a few who come from mega wealth, there are also many who are here on a great deal of financial aid." There are "lots of nerds," too, and a smattering of "band geeks and film freaks." Most students don't stray too far from the mainstream, though. "You have to go out of your way to find funky people," advises a sophomore.

California Institute of Technology
Columbia University

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