University of Southern California

As both a student and a human being, I’ve always tried my best to plunge into the center of the action, to submerge myself in the world’s perpetual changes, and to seize each opportunity at my fingertips rather than toil in triviality. After a fast-paced and sometimes turbulent high school career, I’ve realized that college is not only a determinant of one’s future endeavors, but a pivotal channel for self discovery and self improvement. With that in mind, I made the decision that I would spend the next four years of my life- of my odyssey- at the University of Southern California. Philosophical musings aside, the University of Southern California is considered home for a variety of students across the nation and the world. USC prides itself as an extremely diverse and global university, and with over 150 majors, 17 professional schools, and over 850 on-campus organizations, curiosity and an eagerness to contribute to the world are inevitable. Regardless of where students come from, however, all college students are in the middle of a critical life turning point. As such, exploration is a guarantee. Whether that means changing majors, studying abroad, or becoming enamored with a new interest or culture, these revelations are expected at this large private university. As a glutton for both depth and breadth, I shudder to think of studying my passions in a mutually exclusive manner, and the emphasis placed on interdisciplinary studies at USC was a significant factor in my decision to attend. The majority of students at USC either declare a second major, declare a minor, or engage in a pre-professional program to supplement their main track of study- often in an unpredictable fashion. As crazy as it seems, there are many students at USC whose double majors or minors are in completely unlike things, like Biology and Cinematic Arts or Philosophy and Business. The vast acceptance and genuine encouragement of unconventional academic curiosity is a large part of what makes USC such an innovative learning environment. Anyone interested in multiple subject areas will find an abundance of intellectual adventures at USC. Even more impressive about this university is how rigorous and cutting-edge each academic department is. Despite USC’s undergraduate student population of approximately 18,000, USC boasts a liberal arts curriculum and a 9:1 student to faculty ratio, and research opportunities like the SOAR program allow students to assist professors and experience strongly individualized learning. USC is known for its top-ranked programs in Journalism and Communications, Cinematic Arts, Business, Medicine, Theatre, Law, Engineering, Education, Social Work, and in many other fields. There’s an incredible variety of resources for each student at USC, such as the versatile curriculum, the Visions and Voices Humanities Initiative, the L.E.A.D program, and the Undergraduate Writers’ Conference. On campus, USC’s sense of community is vibrant, as shown by the distinctive school spirit and top-notch athletic teams. Greek life on campus is comprised of over 60 chapters, but there are also numerous specialized residential floors and communities for those who choose not to participate in Greek life. Beyond campus, the city of Los Angeles provides an expansive cultural melting pot and a robust hub of possibilities for both career networking and personal exploration. As if the quality of a USC education and the richness of Los Angeles aren’t enough, USC also has one of the strongest alumni networks in the world. At the end of the day, if someone is lucky enough to attend USC, they are undoubtedly an individual of mental fervor and conviction of character, and someone with these attributes would both benefit from and contribute to the jubilant spirit of the Trojan Family. Fight on!