Why do so many people want to go to USC?

Many people want to go to USC for its strong academics, diverse student body, prime Los Angeles location with abundant internships, vibrant campus life, and powerful alumni network, offering top programs (especially film/business), research, and a "work hard, play hard" culture in a dynamic city with endless opportunities.

Why do people want to go to the USC?

USC has always been my dream school for many reasons, but the biggest was (and still is) the work hard, play hard spirit. I knew coming into college that I wanted an environment where students prioritize academics, extracurriculars, and fun. Thankfully, I have had no problem finding that at USC.

What makes USC so special?

One of the best aspects of USC is the interdisciplinary nature of your experiences, both in and out of the classroom. First, the general education program is designed to encourage students to learn about topics they are interested in while exploring subjects outside of their chosen major.

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.

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. 

watch this before you commit to USC... II usc diaries ep. 6

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 is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

Is USC like an Ivy League?

No, the University of Southern California (USC) is not an Ivy League school; the Ivy League is a specific NCAA athletic conference of eight East Coast universities (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, UPenn, Yale) known for their academic and athletic prestige, while USC is a private, West Coast research university, often considered a "Public Ivy" peer or comparable in quality by many due to its high rankings and selective admissions.
 

What is the 9% rule for UC?

The UC's 9% rule refers to two guaranteed admission pathways for top-performing California residents: the Statewide Guarantee for those in the top 9% statewide (based on a formula including A-G courses and UC GPA) and Eligible in the Local Context (ELC) for those in the top 9% of their specific participating high school, ensuring a spot at a UC if space is available. 

Is USC very prestigious?

Consistently rated amongst the top higher education institutions in California, USC is known for its academic excellence, pioneering research opportunities, and a diverse and inclusive student experience and campus environment that attracts students from across the U.S. and worldwide.

What's the #1 university in the US?

There isn't one single #1 university, as rankings vary by source, but Princeton University often tops U.S. News' National Universities list, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is frequently #1 globally or in other US-specific rankings like Forbes, with Harvard University and Stanford University also consistently in the top tier across most rankings.
 

What is the USC mind trend?

Dubbed the “USC MIND Challenge,” these short videos include clips of people dumping buckets of ice and water over each other's heads, attempting to open up a discussion about mental health. If you feel like these two ideas do not seem to go hand in hand, you would be correct.

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

Do celebrities go to the USC?

Frequently Asked Questions About Famous USC Alumni

The most famous people who went to USC include celebrities like John Wayne, Will Ferrell, Regina King, Tom Sellek, and LeVar Burton.

What are the top 3 majors?

The top 3 most popular college majors consistently remain Business, Health Professions (like Nursing), and Social Sciences & History, making up nearly 40% of degrees in the U.S. and leading in enrollment, though STEM fields like Computer Science and various types of Engineering are also extremely popular, especially for high earning potential and job growth. 

What's more prestigious, UCLA or USC?

UCLA is generally considered more prestigious overall due to higher national rankings, its status as a top public university with immense global recognition, and lower cost, while USC is a private university with a powerful alumni network, strong program-specific reputations (like Business, Engineering), a more intimate campus feel, and excellent student experience, making "prestige" depend on individual goals (research vs. career networking). 

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

What is the #1 ranked college in California?

There isn't one single "number one" college in California, as rankings vary by source, but Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) consistently appear at the top, often depending on whether you're looking for private or public institutions. Stanford and Caltech often lead private rankings, while UC Berkeley and UCLA are top public university contenders, with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also highly rated in regional categories. 

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.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of families disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Duke University, Stanford University, and Princeton University, with studies showing over 20% of students at some of these schools come from the top 1% of the income ladder, often more than from the entire bottom 60% combined. Other affluent institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and Bowdoin College also have significant representation from the wealthiest families.
 

What college has 100% acceptance?

"100 admission colleges" usually refers to schools with a 100% acceptance rate, often meaning they have open admissions policies accepting most applicants meeting basic requirements, with examples including Broward College, Academy of Art University, and Utah Valley University. Alternatively, it might refer to the 100 most selective schools (like Ivies) or colleges with acceptance rates above 90%, providing options for a wide range of applicants looking for either accessible or highly competitive environments. 

What famous people went to USC?

Our top 10 list

• #10: John Wayne. Businessperson, Film Producer. ...
• #9: Judd Apatow. Television director, Comedian. ...
• #8: Forest Whitaker. Television producer, Film producer. ...
• #7: Ron Howard. Television producer, Film producer. ...
• #6: George Lucas. Television producer, Entrepreneur. ...
• #5: Tom Selleck. ...
• #4: Robert Zemeckis. ...
• #3: Neil Armstrong.

Which campus is safer, USC or UCLA?

Both schools are safe and some street smart is required at both schools. Lisa Lee we were told at parents' weekend that usc's small campus has more security than ucla's sprawling campus.

Is an USC degree respected?

It offers a wealth of academic programs taught by highly-esteemed professors and faculty. USC is typically very highly rated. Current rankings include: #31 in the U.S. and #58 in the world from the Academic Ranking of World Universities.