University of Southern California Top Questions

Someone asked me once if I thought USC was a party school. I had to really think about my answer, because at first I wanted to answer "of course!" On second thought, however, I don't think we are at the extreme end of the partying spectrum. Fraternities and sororities have their own social lives, and beyond that there are apartment parties and bars around campus. Overall, though, I feel like the general attitude towards partying will change drastically as USC becomes more academically-focused. It is getting extremely difficult to get in, and I have even noticed a shift in the kind of people who rush sororities. The stereotypical sorority chick is becoming more and more rare, simply because unless you are very bright and well-accomplished, you can't get in. In my experience, the social scene of USC is slowly transforming. I think the attitude is moving away from "work hard, play hard" towards "work hard, play a little (if any)."

Parties all the time. Bars all the time. You have to watch it though because you're here to learn not to drink yourself into oblivion.

Social life at SC is largely based around the greek row due to their massive partying habits, but don't think that the underground SC scene is lame. I've found that the kids disassociated with the row are the more intellectual and throw better dance parties.

Greek life plays a huge role at SC. Frats and sororities are the most common way of meeting guys and girls, but you don't have to rush in order to find friends. The first week of freshman year is filled with activities to meet other freshman through. And go to the football games! Just like anywhere else, it helps to have a good roommate at the beginning so you'll have someone to go to events with. Be aggressive and put yourself out there, no one's going to meet you if you're sulking in your dormroom. There are ALWAYS things going on, whether at Bovard auditorium, Ground Zero cafe, or Bing/Norris theatres. Yes, people party all the time. It doesn't really matter which day of the week it is, something is going on at the Row. People also hang out in the dorms, or do any number of things really late that don't involve drinking. If you have a car, be prepared to have lots of "friends," because people always are itching to get off campus and go eat non-cafeteria food for a night, or go to a movie theatre/shopping center during the weekend.

Athletics are HUGE at USC. Students have so much Trojan pride... football and basketball games are often packed full. Most of the freshman dorms are great. The building I lived in last year - Birnkrant - was so social and lively, and people always left their doors open. Incoming students have the choice to have co-ed dorms, which are really fun. Most of my best friends lived down the hall from me, and I actually made a lot of friends in my architecture classes. Being an insomniac, I was happy to find that there are people awake at all hours at USC. If you go outside at 3am on a Thursday, I guarantee there will be people skateboarding or playing Frisbee outside. Fraternities and sororities are pretty popular and "the row" is the most popular place to party. However, if you don't want to go out drinking, a lot of students like hanging out outside and playing games.

There are social activities for all at USC, to my experience. I enjoy video games a lot, so my friends and I spent much of our down-time (and perhaps some of our not-so-down time :P) playing Super Smash Bros. The USC Gamers' Network often holds Friday-night LAN parties for those who would rather play Starcraft, Smash Bros, Rock Band, or a number of other excellent titles than engage in "normal" social activities... Heheheh.... Anyway, there's plenty to do for everyone. I'm not a big fan of the whole Greek scene, but it's there for those who are into it.

My biggest criticism of USC, is the surrounding area and campus life. There is really no place to go to hang out around USC and enjoy yourself. We have the row, and if you're in a fraternity it is fun to party at your house and with friends, but it definitely gets old being in the same place everyday or every weekend. There is one bar that everyone goes to: the "9-0." It is fun but a really small bar and you just get super drunk everytime you go there, and see the same people every night, that are mostly all in fraternities and sororities. I'd say greek life dominates USC, most people that have a lot of friends and an active social life are greek. There's other stuff to do outside of USC, but it is sort of a bubble around campus and greeks have the social lives that others don't. This is pretty much USC social life in a nutshell, besides football games and other sports events that are awesome and provides for a great experience. There are parties but they can be limited and pretty small. I wouldn't call USC a party school, it has definitely toned down very quick since 4 years ago, and it really seems pretty quiet now. There aren't many places to go out to eat or just hang out - USC really isn't a college town, it is in a ghetto area of downtown LA which can get annoying to live in. Downtown LA and hollywood are close and the beach is not far either, however. I'd say USC's student life can get lame after awhile and other schools in college towns definitely have more fun and more to offer as a place to live.

There are over 600 organizations on this campus. There is so much to do if you're willing to get yourself in it. The easiest way to know about the orgs on campus is to attend the student involvement fair. There are many Greek organizations---USC has the largest Greek life on the West Coast, but if you don't wan to become Greek, there is no pressure to do it. If you want to party, you can also find one or you could start your own. If you don't want to stay on campus, you can always explore LA, but it's best if you have a car because LA public trans is not the best. Football games are a big deal, but that's not your thing, you can join me because I won't be going to the games. We also have a thing called Visions and Voices which is a great program. Guest speakers and performances have come through this new arts & humanities initiative. Take advantage of Visions & Voices. I saw Color Purple (the play) for free because of this program.

There is a LOT of philanthropy and social issue causes for the surrounding community. One of the most popular groups in Troy Camp, where basically you take inner-city kids out for summer camp and other fun activities during the school year. Like three big concerts a year...some performers have included The Fray, The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat I met some of my closest friends through my church. People go around the dorms to hang out, apartments not so much. Visions and Voices can be kind of pointless but then again I saw John Williams play his hits front row center for free so I'm not complaining. Big people come to speak. Not like the President of Iran at Columbia but big enough to make you want to go. Too many traditions to mentioned. Most notable is the senior fountain run which is a much better idea than UCLA's undie run. People go to the row a lot but sometimes that can have a stigma of being a "row-hoe". Most parties don't have alcohol but people are very accepting if you choose not to drink.

Again...school spirit is incredible! Also, there are soooo many clubs and groups students can join. There is literally somthing for everyone.