My grandmother was pissed. Just between us, I think she still is. I grew up in quasi-rural Eastern Pennsylvania, surrounded by forest-shaded creeks and families proud of inhabiting our area, the Lehigh Valley, for generations. You might say that choosing to go to USC, 2500+ miles from my home, in a city where I didn’t know a single soul, was taking a leap of faith. My grandma definitely did. So let me break down why USC has been right for me and could be right for you too!
The Opportunities to Build
Engineers inherently get to do some pretty incredible things, and the freedom to be creative with class projects at USC was a major selling point when I first applied. However, I now realize the true value of being in Viterbi lies in the ways we can apply our growing knowledge outside of labs or classrooms, and the unending possibilities for what we can create.
My first projects came from USC’s vibrant research infrastructure. As a firefighter in my hometown, I have always been intrigued by our breathing apparatus, which are largely fabricated from carbon fiber. Before I even got to campus, USC’s Advanced Composites Design Team took me on board through CURVE—a program that allowed me to get paid while working for research teams on campus. With the team, I got to enter design competitions with our experimental recycled carbon fiber manufacturing techniques, even building a wind turbine for disaster relief that won international design awards.
Outside of CURVE, I started exploring student competition teams and entrepreneurship organizations. At USC, I have the chance to work on everything from race cars to rockets (Check out USC RPL) and access one of the most vibrant startup communities in the country. Getting involved was as easy as walking into meetings and having an open mind. I was amazed by how eager my classmates were to help me learn, and how quickly I picked up new and practical skills like integrated circuit design or the art of pulling an all-nighter to finish something you love.
If there isn’t already an organization for what you want to do, engineers at USC have powerful resources to explore their own projects. You can find world-class fabrication facilities and machining expertise at our makerspaces, drop-in office hours with industry-leading professors, and a student community brimming with great ideas and skills to bring them to life. My friends and I use the makerspace’s suite of industrial 3D printers to fabricate everything from Raspberry Pi casings to brackets on a jet engine-powered shopping cart. Not to mention, in the earliest days of my startup, our team spent dozens of hours bouncing ideas off award-winning physicists and seasoned engineers who teach in Viterbi, and who were beyond excited to help us solve a real-world problem. And let’s not forget the thousands of dollars in Viterbi funding that my team received to bring our vision into reality. Whatever your interests may be, USC has the resources to help you explore them.
The Exuberant Enjoyment of Life
USC is dripping in joie de vivre, and I could sense that from the moment I toured campus. My suspicions were confirmed when, as soon as I moved into Marks Tower, my floor mates and I started our tradition of seeing at least one Santa Monica sunset a week. Freshman year was at times overwhelming. Having that touchstone outing to look forward to helped get me through some tough weeks and gave me a network to branch outwards from. I almost immediately found more people I love through USC’s Men’s Lacrosse team, Surf Club, and Ski Team. The constant bombardment of opportunities to do crazy things, meet mind-blowingly accomplished people, and make the most out of this star-studded city have surpassed my wildest expectations and certainly took some time to sift through.
By now I have my routine figured out. When I’m not working (which you will absolutely do a lot of) on class or side projects, I’m at the Ski ‘Team’s’ house at Mammoth. If I can’t ski for a weekend, then I’m headed to Surf Club’s open beach day, and going to a concert or comedy club at night with friends. Yes, other schools offer the chance to have cool experiences. What sets USC apart is the attitude of its students to get out there, explore, and make the most of every day. Without my friend Ren, I never would’ve been confident enough to go surfing for the first time, and I never could have seen myself taking a cross-country road trip if Carson hadn’t talked me into it. USC is full of young people who want to bring the best out of each other because they understand that is how to have the best time themselves. Whether it’s in the classroom, at a water balloon fight party, or lounging on the beach, Trojans attack everything they do with an infectious sense of fun.
The People
Which leads me to the final, and most important, factor in “Why USC.” You may have already sensed it, but what makes USC special is its deeply diverse yet spectacularly involved community. Every person on campus has their passion, and everything about campus life is dedicated to helping you find yours. Come by campus. Watch students’ faces when you ask them what they do. Notice their enthusiasm towards the underwater robotics team, sailing club, the three-day expedition they just took through Yosemite—whatever it is they have found. Coming from the middle of nowhere, I get asked “why did you go to USC” a lot. The answer I give even to my grandmother is invariably: I found people as excited about everything as I am.
I cannot wait for you to find your “thing” at USC, and look forward to hearing all about it soon.
