The University of Southern California

HOUSING
There is on campus and off campus university housing. Most freshmen are on campus and choose later to either move to off campus housing or join a fraternity house. Troy Hall was the best housing when I was a student and most expensive. The university has a large stock of off campus housing with various levels of affordablity. If you choose to be a RA you get housing for free. Most off campus housing is situated around the greek row.

SAFETY
USC is in a depessed area. At night there is a univerity tram system and escort service to the campus and off site living. I suggest to use it. We did have visits from individuals on self defense because of the area and some incidents that occurred. My roomate was robbed outside the apartment building at gun point at night time and my apartment during one of the school years was burgled. Most student do not venture into areas south of the football stadium or north of Hoover or east of Vermont.

FOOD
The university has several on campus facilities. Off campus was 32nd street market that had a food court. The 500 club, julie trojan barrel, La Braca to name a few. There are few resturants in the area and I advise not to try one without a reference.

CAMPUS LIFE
The social life is dominated by greek system. The greek system is set on a street calle "the row", which is a long street full of Fraternity /Soroity houses. The street itself is very attractive and well maintained. The greek system itself is unique in that each house has its own personality. Jocks, Elite, animal house etc. If you choose not to join a house it may be hard to have a social life as these societies dominate the university life. But remember you are at any university to get an eductaion first. After graduation and a few years in the work force only your close friends will be the ones you continue contact. Another point is that many student are from Southern Califoria so the campus is dead Friday thru Sunday. If you are stuck and have a car then it is to the beach or to westwood or hollywood.

ACADEMICSUSC has some schools that are highly regarded (ie Cinema).On the whole the university has a good reputaion. However it is not Harvard or Standford and it is university officals who mention these schools when referring to USC. I do not think USC is at that level but has its own unique identity. So pick a good reason as to why you want to go to USC. Do not become distracted by amenities that will not help your education (ie football, greeks etc.). After USC I attended UCLA and a Ivy League school. I think UCLA is a better deal cost wise and has same amenities and the Ivy League was more academically oriented and cost same as USC.