I never had a dream school. Rather than dreaming of wanting to go somewhere since I was a kid, my college application process looked a lot different.
I wasn’t supposed to overthink college decisions… and then suddenly I became that person with two spreadsheets, 15 tabs open, and a notes app filled with an ongoing pros and cons list. I swear I aged like five years trying to figure out where I was supposed to spend the next four.
The funny thing was that USC wasn’t even on my radar at first, until it suddenly made perfect sense. The answer to “Why USC” wasn’t just one thing. It was a bunch of moments, tiny realizations, and just a feeling of knowing where I wanted to be.
Opportunities Around Every Corner
In researching USC, one thing that really stood out to me was the plethora of opportunities they offered. Research labs, clubs I didn’t even know existed, student projects, design teams, and internships, it is almost a little overwhelming, in the best way possible. Whether it be helping work on a rocket going to space with the Rocket Propulsion Lab, or launching a startup, there is always something exciting happening.
A hike I went on with USC professor and former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman
Engineering…and Everything Beyond It
Another thing I didn’t expect to love about USC is how interdisciplinary an engineering program can be. I’m someone who doesn’t like being boxed into one thing, and USC seems to get that. With general education classes, study abroad opportunities, or minors, you can be an engineer who’s into music, cinematic arts, or business. At USC, you have the flexibility to explore the world that exists outside engineering.
The People Who Make You Better
Something that caught my attention when researching Viterbi was their commitment to a collaborative and diverse culture. Beyond the gender parity, I have met kids in my classes from across the country and the world. It’s refreshing to be surrounded by so many smart people from different backgrounds.
A Community that Actually Feels like One
Another huge factor was the sense of community at USC. Whether it be older students or professors, people genuinely want you to succeed here. There’s this shared pride and school spirit that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger the moment you join the Trojan Family.
Choosing USC wasn’t something I planned, but it became the decision that felt right on every level. Sometimes, when the spreadsheets and pros and cons lists stop working, you just need to trust that whatever decision you make will be the right one. For me, USC ultimately felt like the place where I could spend the next four years growing and exploring. That is ultimately why I chose to become a Trojan.
