This is a post I’ve been most excited about writing. After working with many prospective students and families, one question I get asked all the time is: “What makes USC Viterbi different?”   I could talk about rankings, research, or career outcomes, but those aren’t actually the first things that come to mind.

What I love most about USC Viterbi is the people.  And mostly, it is the Viterbi students!

Every year, I meet and work alongside students who are truly passionate and motivated.  What stands out is that they are rarely interested in engineering for engineering’s sake, but they want to solve problems. They want to improve healthcare, make transportation safer, develop new technologies, protect the environment, explore space, and use innovation to improve lives.  I’m consistently blown away by our students’ curiosity and ability to innovate.

Ok, now for the fun part!  I’m always taken aback by the various ways our current undergraduate engineering students are shaping their education here. I love the flexibility USC Viterbi gives students to explore their interests.  I’ve walked away from conversations with current students inspired to open our course catalog and see the hundreds of options students can choose from. The possibilities seem endless!  Most students arrive with a specific engineering major in mind, only to discover new passions through classes, research, student organizations, internships, and conversations with faculty and classmates.  Hearing from students about their music production minors or seeing a clip of a student ballroom dancing makes me proud to know that our students are not just acquiring technical skills but also enjoying the process of learning across disciplines!

And it wouldn’t be an admission blog if I didn’t talk about my favorite way for prospective students to learn more about our programs!  And of course, it’s through our Viterbi Voices blog and podcast that our current students share honest reflections on academics, internships, and study abroad experiences.  Their stories remind me that every student’s path is different and that’s exactly how it should be (and honestly, it makes me want to go back to my college years)!

Community and Collaboration

Finally, I have to add one last thing. Viterbi never loses sight of community. Whether through the Trojan Family, student organizations, faculty mentorship, or the support students receive from staff and advisors throughout their time at USC, there is a strong sense that students are encouraged to succeed together rather than compete alone.

As an admission counselor, I have the privilege of meeting future engineers every day. What excites me most isn’t simply what our students accomplish, but it’s who they become along the way. That’s what I love about USC Viterbi, and it’s why I look forward to welcoming each new class of Trojans every year. ✌️