From Snowy Pines to Palm Trees: Why I Chose USC
When I dreamed about my collegiate experience, I never imagined that it would take place in California. I could not imagine leaving snow behind completely, even though I was determined to get out of the below zero weather in Minnesota, and having never been to California the idea of moving here had never even crossed my mind. But then I found USC.
While choosing what schools to apply to, I came across USC almost entirely by accident. But as I started looking into this university, I was soon drawn in by the Viterbi School of Engineering. The huge variety of undergraduate organizations and research opportunities, the extensive Trojan network, amazing connections with internship companies, reputation as a top tier engineering school, and major-centered coursework from day one piqued my interest in what would become my chosen college. And so, I decided to apply!
After getting accepted into USC, and receiving the box full of stickers and the iconic Viterbi mug, I began to fall more and more in love with this school. I would spend hours on the USC website taking virtual tours and looking at all the amazing opportunities to get involved on campus and out in LA, and eventually decided that coming to admitted student day was worth the early morning flight. Somehow (even though it sounds super cliche) from the moment that I stepped onto the USC campus I knew that this school was a good fit. I loved the way that everyone seemed genuinely happy and full of school spirit in an extremely positive way, and my dad and I were taken aback by how pretty the campus was. (I was also shocked to discover that palm trees are actually real!)
Once we met the VSAs and heard about the research they had gotten to be a part of and the design projects that they were working on, I was hooked. And after getting to tour the BME Innovation Space, and watch the band perform inside Town and Gown, I knew that I had found the perfect school. Having experienced my first semester as a Trojan in the Viterbi School of Engineering, I can say without a doubt that I am so happy to have traded my snowy pine trees and Minnesotan accents for the USC palm trees and shouts of Fight On!
