Beyond the Classroom: How to Get Involved at USC
While many people think of academics when they think of college, USC has many opportunities for you to add to your experience outside of the classroom. The University of Southern California has hundreds of clubs and organizations open to all students. Whether you want to make friends or just try something new, getting involved is one of the best ways to maximize your time at USC. As a former student, I know that looking for a community on campus can feel intimidating. However, I encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and get involved. It was one of the best decisions I made during my undergraduate years. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity, too!
For all of the creatives out there, you can explore some of these passions by involving yourself in various artistic groups on campus. If you’re interested in dance, you might consider joining USC XPressions. If you’re interested in music, you might look at the USC Songwriters Forum or KXSC (a student-run radio station). Either way, you will find a hub for your creativity on our campus. Joining one of these organizations will give you opportunities to expand your artistry, and even showcase your abilities!
Suppose you’re looking for a way to meet other students who share one of your identities. In that case, USC has multiple cultural student organizations. Whether you’re looking to join the Black Student Assembly, the Asian Pacific American Student Assembly, the Queer and Ally Student Assembly, and/or the International Student Assembly, these organizations provide a way for you to connect with other students over shared identities and promote inclusivity and awareness throughout the USC community. Many of these groups also have access to physical spaces on campus that allow their members to truly find a sense of community. This is especially helpful if students are looking to conduct meetings or host events for their group!
Looking to get involved in sports without the pressure of joining a D-1 team? Check out our incredible club and intramural sports teams! You’ll have lots of options, from some more popular sports, such as volleyball, basketball, and soccer, to a few more niche sports, including surfing, ultimate frisbee, and even quidditch! Any additional information about club and intramural sports offered at USC can be found on the USC Student Life and USC Intramural Sports websites. Club and intramural sports are a great way to get involved and stay active throughout the week.
Students can also consider service-based and social activism organizations on campus. These organizations address topics such as sustainability, public health, environmental awareness, social justice and more! Many of these groups begin by helping out the local community. Some of these organizations include the Environmental Student Assembly, the USC Joint Educational Project (JEP) and the Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation (SCALE).
If you really want to focus on your academics and the profession you are pursuing, don't worry! There are still lots of ways to do so outside of the classroom. For instance, you can check out the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), USC Consulting Club, Trojan Real Estate Association (TREA), Model United Nations at USC (MUNSC), Annenberg Media or Phi Alpha Delta (PAD). These are just a few examples of USC's professional and academic organizations. Each of these groups offers their members access to a supportive community, resources and networking opportunities to explore the different career paths they are considering. Joining one of these organizations is a great way to navigate the job or internship search process throughout your undergraduate experience.
If you can't make it to one of the involvement fairs on campus, a great way to get involved in some of these groups is through the EngageSC website. Here, you’ll find a complete list of clubs and organizations at USC, along with their websites, mission statements, membership benefits and how to apply. As always, USC is looking forward to adding more organizations to this list, so you can always create a new club or organization. These applications are accepted in October of each academic year for recognition in the spring semester. You can visit the USC Campus Activities website for more information on this process.
As you can see, there are many opportunities to get involved on USC's campus. Many of our students will join multiple clubs because of their varied interests. By doing so, students can explore different activities, which helps them build a diverse network and develop a well-rounded skill set. Involvement in student clubs and organizations really add our students’ holistic experience. You can truly tailor your USC experience to your personal passions and hobbies, so get involved in whatever interests you!
Written by: Lucy Jordan - Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admission