When I was applying to colleges, USC immediately felt different. To me, USC isn’t just a college, it’s home. Everything about the application process felt personal, not just “submit your scores and move on”. USC wasn’t only inquiring about scores or grades, but they were asking questions like what my favorite snack is. That might seem silly, but it was a sign to me that this university is truly invested in who I am as a person, rather than numbers on a page.
Another huge reason I chose USC is the Trojan Family. Family means a lot to me, and I’m really close with my siblings, so finding that same sense of connection in college mattered. And honestly, USC delivered. My favorite example is from a plane ride when someone noticed the USC tag on my bag. We ended up talking for 45 minutes simply because we were both Trojans. That kind of instant connection doesn’t happen everywhere, but it happens here all the time.
I’ve also appreciated how USC supports students from different backgrounds. There are a multitude of community centers that support every student to help find their place. As a dependent of a veteran, I use the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, and USC has been amazing with everything. The whole process was smooth, and I always felt like someone was in my corner. That support showed me that USC doesn’t just welcome students, they take care of them.
If I had one piece of advice for future Trojans, it would be this: be okay with being uncomfortable. College comes with big decisions and random challenges (like living in a dorm without air conditioning… character-building, to say the least). But every uncomfortable moment has pushed me to grow. And USC gives you so many resources and communities, so you’re never doing it alone.
At the end of the day, I chose USC because USC made me feel seen. And that feeling is what made it feel like home.
