What type of student goes to USC?

USC students are academically high-achieving, ambitious, diverse, and involved, often coming from top of their high school class with strong grades and extracurriculars, seeking a "work hard/play hard" culture in a vibrant LA setting, with many aiming for impact in fields like tech, business, and arts, balancing rigorous academics with a social, collaborative spirit.

Is getting into USC a big deal?

The University of Southern California — or USC, as it's best known — is a top research university and one of the most selective schools in the country. Located in sunny Los Angeles, California, it's been a pioneer in academic and research initiatives since its beginnings in 1880.

Is it harder to get into USC or UCLA?

It's extremely competitive for both, but UCLA is generally harder to get into for in-state applicants due to higher GPA demands and a public university quota, while USC becomes exceptionally difficult for out-of-state applicants, often balancing academic rigor with the ability to pay, though recent acceptance rates are similar (around 9-10%), with UCLA receiving far more applicants. The specific difficulty depends heavily on your residency, major, and extracurricular profile, as UCLA emphasizes grades (test-blind) and USC weighs extracurriculars and financial contribution more heavily. 

Why do students go to the USC?

While every student's path is unique, I found myself drawn to USC for a few reasons that stood out above the rest, including its academic opportunities, Trojan network and its vibrant location in the heart of Los Angeles. One key aspect that stood out to me about USC was its academic programs.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Asking USC Students How They Got Into USC | GPA, SAT/ACT, Clubs, etc.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Who is USC's biggest rival?

Arguably the GREATEST RIVALRY in College Football has officially come to a halt ✋ Would you want to see USC vs. Notre Dame again???

Is going to USC prestigious?

University of Southern California is one of the top Private not for Profit universities in , . It is ranked #146 in QS World University Rankings 2026.

What is the hardest UC to get into in California?

The hardest University of California (UC) to get into is consistently UCLA (Los Angeles), often followed closely by UC Berkeley, due to their extremely low overall acceptance rates (around 9-11%) and high competitiveness, especially for popular majors like Computer Science or Nursing where rates can drop to 1-3%. 

What are the cons of USC?

For cons, USC is a private school, which usually means a higher price tag. Additionally, some people have concerns about safety regarding its location in downtown Los Angeles. UC Berkeley and UCLA, on the other hand, are public universities and part of the renowned University of California system.

What's more prestigious, UCLA or USC?

Both UCLA and USC are highly prestigious universities in Los Angeles, but they differ in type (public vs. private) and strengths, with UCLA often seen as having higher overall national/international academic rankings and a stronger reputation as a top public university, while USC is known for its powerful alumni network, strong private school experience, and excellent programs in specific areas like Business and Engineering, often considered a status symbol locally. 

What is the #1 college in the US?

There's no single "number 1" college, as rankings vary by publication, but Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently appear at or near the top in major lists like U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and Wall Street Journal for overall National Universities, often swapping the top spot depending on the year and methodology used. Other top contenders frequently include Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. 

How is USC student life?

USC offers an endless variety of activities and events for students to get involved in. From student-run clubs and organizations to exclusive film screenings and outdoor yoga, there is something for everyone on campus.

What type of student is the USC looking for?

We look for students we believe will thrive in our world-class academic environment. Our review process is holistic, taking into consideration more than just grades and test scores. We also look at your personal qualities, leadership potential, and your ability to become a partner in learning and research.

Where do most USC students come from?

The majority of the USC students who live in the U.S. are from California. Student location diversity is higher than average.

Is USC harder to get into than Yale?

Is Yale University or University of Southern California (USC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Yale University is more difficult to get into.

What famous people went to USC?

Many famous celebrities went to USC, including Regina King, Bob Saget, Forest Whitaker, Kelly Preston, Cybill Shepherd, and Will Ferrell. Many children of celebrities have also attended USC, including Lily Collins, Rumor Willis, and Rob Kardashian.

What is the hardest major at USC?

The hardest majors at USC are generally considered to be in Engineering (Viterbi School), especially Electrical Engineering, and Cinematic Arts (SCA), known for extremely low acceptance rates and intense workload; other notoriously tough programs include the MD-PhD Program, Architecture, and specific areas within Music (Thornton) like Pop Music, with Business (Marshall) also very competitive for its core classes. Difficulty often stems from rigorous STEM content, high time commitment, or extreme selectivity. 

Who are famous players from USC?

USC boasts a legendary football history with 8 Heisman Trophy winners and 14 Pro Football Hall of Famers. Iconic former players include Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, O.J. Simpson, Lynn Swann, Anthony Muñoz, Junior Seau, Troy Polamalu, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Reggie Bush.

Are Stanford and USC rivals?

Stanford is USC's oldest rival, dating back to 1905. The Trojans have won 6 of the last 11 games against the Cardinal dating back to 2013 (the two teams did not meet in 2020 for the first time since 1945).

Why is UCLA a USC rival?

The rivalry between the two schools started in 1929 when the Trojans first faced the Bruins at the Coliseum in a football game that ended 76-0. Both UCLA and USC's football teams shared the Coliseum from 1933 until 1981, when UCLA left for the Rose Bowl the following year.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.