The University of Southern California
StudentsReview ::
The University of Southern California - Graduate (MS/PhD) Ratings | |||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
Total Grad Surveys | 42 |
Females | 22 |
Males | 20 |
Avg years at University | 1.8 |
Research Quality | B+ (7.6) |
Research Availability | B (6.6) |
Research Funding | B (6.9) |
Graduate Politics | B (7.0) |
Not Errand Runners | B+ (7.4) |
Degree Completion | B+ (7.9) |
Alternative pay [ta/gsi] | B- (6.3) |
Sufficient Pay | C+ (5.7) |
Competitiveness | B (7.2) |
Education Quality | B (6.7) |
Faculty Accessibility | B (6.8) |
Useful Research | B+ (7.4) |
"Individual" treatment | B+ (7.4) |
Friendliness | B+ (7.6) |
Safety | C+ (5.5) |
Campus Beauty | B+ (7.5) |
Campus Maintenance | B+ (8.0) |
University Spending | B (7.1) |
Extracurriculars | B+ (7.6) |
Scholastic Success | B+ (7.6) |
Surrounding City | B+ (7.7) |
Social Life/ Environment | B+ (7.8) |
The Bad: Now, the price is hefty, especially since I graduated in-state without debt, but I'm taking the risk to be the best in my field in my state. However, yes,the price tag does make me cringe. I didn't receive any scholarships, and I can't be a college T.A due to being out-of-State. I will be graduating with debt. It is something to consider if you have a priority to stay debt-free and are not monetarily wealthy.
The Best: All my professors and peers have been top-grade mentors, educators, friends, etc. Every professor I've had has been passionate about their subjects, and I've learned so much from each one of them. My classmates have been a diverse group of people who are intelligent, hard-working, kind and compassionate individuals who support each other. I could not have asked for a better network of people. Other things: Yes, online means that, at times, the tech doesn't work properly, but I have never lost attendance points for having technical difficulties.
If you are working professional, I would not suggest this program; it's not a flexible program. (To be honest, I wouldn't suggest this program for any aspiring teacher!)
After the first week, I dropped all of my courses for the following reasons:
1. The professors seemed like they didn't want to be there.
2. There were always technical difficulties (with the students and/or professors)
3. Staring at a computer / being in a virtual classroom for 3+ hours wasn't my idea of a flexible, online program. If I'm going to be subjected to listening to someone for over three hours, I might as well just take an on-campus class.
^Note: #3 was the main reason I dropped my classes. The USC Technology sounds really cool but in actuality, one class is like face timing with someone for 3+ hours...except you can't move (because you're stuck in a computer desk...unless you're using an iPad). It's exhausting
4. I realized I could earn my teacher certificate through a school district FOR FREE ( and I would just get my Masters from a smaller, cheaper university). FYI: Principals do not care which school you went to, as most of them have online masters or doctorates from no-name schools. This is one thing I had to learn because I switched from applying to medical school (where the name of your school really matters!!) to teaching.
However, I just want to point out one thing that many international students have to suffer at the moment they are starting their academic at USC. It is about The American Language Institute (ALI).
If you asked honest opinion from international students who have a chance (been forced) to take any ALI classes. The same answers you will heard is it's the "USC rip-off" campaign, and nothing else. This ALI only need your money, the knowledge came later. Many incoming students who already impressed the school environment (by their own department) have to stop the impression with the dark-side of USC... "The ALI".
Why? First, it's very expensive, the unit price is almost the same as a very good class offering by the "real" department in which student intends/more-than-willing to take. Second, the class is not in-any-aspect good. The quality of teaching is bad. The teachers attitude are even worst. Third, the most important, ALI always come-up with stupid policies to force you take its classes. If your TOEFL < threshold, you need to take it... even year 200x I can't believe in USA still have this kind of scam publicly. I know it's informed by admission, but it's like you buy a car bundle with motorcycle... it's lame... Top schools never allow this to happen... OR if you are TA, no matter your TOEFL score (they know how to deal with this hah), then you will need to take stupid EXAM (not even by any standard test) and the people who examine you are the ALI's staffs who are ready to put you in some classes... ... these classes never improve TA skill at any rate.. everybody knows.. it's just for money...but no one say it outloud... It's a SIN... TA is now just a scapegoat.. Believe me, international TAs can teach if they are selected by the department.. the only people who cannot teach are those in ALI school.
The problem is low criteria for admission and thus the low quality of students. And particularly, very high number of students resulting in high class strengths, low financial aid chances.
So I would advise you to go a similarly ranked university if you have offer of admission in one.
Apart from academics, USC has good social/party life for undergraduates, whereas for graduate students its more work and spending time in computer labs.
# | University | |||
1 |
| |||
2 |
| |||
3 |
| |||
4 |
| |||
5 |
| |||
6 |
| |||
7 |
| |||
8 |
| |||
9 |
| |||
10 |
| |||
11 |
| |||
12 |
| |||
13 |
| |||
14 |
| |||
15 |
|
Are you a student and about to sign the very first lease in your li... more→