USC c/o 2016 Applicants Forum

[zman]

ucla slightly ahead, go where you get more cash.

[goden]

ucla slightly ahead, go where you get more cash.

They are peers, but yes follow the money.

[dproduct]

Thank you. Currently have no ties to California but from what I hear, it is pretty easy to fall in love with Southern California. Are USC and UCLA pretty much viewed as equals in LA?

They are peer schools, so generally, go whomever gives you least amount of debt. If that's equal, visit and decide.

As an LA resident, I am biased, but I absolutely love it here and think it's the greatest city in the world.

[SydneyC]

Planning to visit USC in March...how is public transportation in LA? Is it fairly easy to get from USC to UCLA?

lulz.

to answer your question: public transportation is sketchy as hell. you'd have better luck catching a ride from a local TLSer . . .

Haha alright, thanks. Heard USC is right next to a rough neighborhood...any reason to worry about the area?

You could say that. It's right in the middle of South-Central LA. But on campus is fine. It's highly patrolled and everyone knows not to mess around on the USC campus. You would NOT want to step a couple blocks off campus at night though.

[zman]

just don't go too far south at night.. crack addicts might rob you.

[cookiejar1]

You probably won't be "walking" around in LA much anyways. As long as you're in a car you're safe. If you're walking around the USC campus you're safe.

[dproduct]

You probably won't be "walking" around in LA much anyways. As long as you're in a car you're safe. If you're walking around the USC campus you're safe.

Yeah, LOL at people walking in LA. Unless it's from your parking spot to Starbucks... you don't do much of it.

[FringeFan]

I'm sure this has been asked earlier ITT, but how long does it usually take to go under review? I've been sitting at complete since 1/7.

Same here. Complete since 1/7.

[dproduct]

I'm sure this has been asked earlier ITT, but how long does it usually take to go under review? I've been sitting at complete since 1/7.

Same here. Complete since 1/7.

I waited 4 months. So... there's that.

[dykstaab]

Sounds like I will prob be checking out apartments when out there as well...anybody know anything about the on-campus housing at USC? Sounds like it is pretty limited but may not be a bad idea for those completely unfamiliar with the area (like myself).

[anteater1]

I'm sure this has been asked earlier ITT, but how long does it usually take to go under review? I've been sitting at complete since 1/7.

Same here. Complete since 1/7.

I waited 4 months. So... there's that.

[cookiejar1]

You probably won't be "walking" around in LA much anyways. As long as you're in a car you're safe. If you're walking around the USC campus you're safe.

Yeah, LOL at people walking in LA. Unless it's from your parking spot to Starbucks... you don't do much of it.

The most I've ever walked in LA was from one end of Santa Monica's 3rd Street to the other.

[06102016]

..

[bellbane12]

Final Committee read today finally! I don't know if this has been answered in all of these pages before this but how long after the final read do people usually hear and through snail mail or email or status checker or a combination?

Anywhere from a few hours to being stuck for days.

[BigZuck]

And of course it would not be surprising to see 50+% more UCLA grads running around simply due to a significantly larger class.

[dykstaab]

Anybody have any opinions on how Minn compares to USC? Do you think USC views them as a peer? I realize they both feed into completely different markets but trying to figure out which one would provide the better education.

[teiswei]

Anybody have any opinions on how Minn compares to USC? Do you think USC views them as a peer? I realize they both feed into completely different markets but trying to figure out which one would provide the better education.

USC is going to attract better professors by nature of the location. Visit both and experience classes firsthand and you would get a better gauge of which environment is better for you. If I were deciding between the two, it would come down to the post graduation market. Both schools are regional-ish and won't have much reach outside of the regions they are located.

[bellbane12]

FML for being a borderline applicant. Seriously. Fuck this shit.

[BigZuck]

FML for being a borderline applicant. Seriously. Fuck this shit.

Retake?

[helterskelter]

Sounds like I will prob be checking out apartments when out there as well...anybody know anything about the on-campus housing at USC? Sounds like it is pretty limited but may not be a bad idea for those completely unfamiliar with the area (like myself).

As far as I know, there is no on-campus housing for grad students. Only freshman get guaranteed housing, and after that, it's a lottery system, with thousands competing for a handful of apartments. Those "on campus" (meaning university owned) apartments are north of campus, mixed in with the bulk of available student housing.

The basic rule is only live north of campus, although there is some fairly new housing to the southeast (also the corner of campus where the law school is located). Don't live west or south of campus, or east of the freeway. Prices may be tempting, but don't do it. You can also find housing in downtown LA, which is just a short metro ride away (although I'm sure most people in LA would drive those three miles, the trains are quite nice).

[mambar]

.

[jimmy_dean]

how long would the commute from santa monica be, 30-45 mins w/traffic? what about cost of living for a ~1 bedroom?

[BigZuck]

how long would the commute from santa monica be, 30-45 mins w/traffic? what about cost of living for a ~1 bedroom?

About a bajillion dollars. I wouldn't live in Santa Monica and commute to USC unless I really was going after dat BIG DEBT.

[mambar]

.

[BigZuck]

how long would the commute from santa monica be, 30-45 mins w/traffic? what about cost of living for a ~1 bedroom?

With traffic, I'd say you're close, but I'd lean toward 45 minutes in the morning. The evening traffic is typically worse going back that way, but you can just wait that out by studying in the library or something. You can take side streets if the 10 is really backed up and get the same results. I've never lived in Santa Monica, but friends who do seem to pay around $1200 for decent places.

$1200 for a one bedroom? Not a studio? In Santa Monica? Really???

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