Living the Trojan Life: Residential Life at USC

Living on campus at USC is about more than just having a place to stay. It's about maximizing your college experience by making memories, finding your community and creating life-long friendships. Students will become immersed in their communities through interactions with their peers, gain educational experiences through mentorship from guest speakers at Residential College events, and so much more. Here are a few standout qualities that make residential life at USC so unique:  

Diverse Housing Options 

Everyone has different desires and needs regarding their housing arrangements, and USC is here to accommodate those. USC has seven first-year residential colleges and seven second-year residential colleges. Our first-year students usually start their USC experience in our residence halls, such as Birnkrant Residential College or New North. These dorms have common areas and study rooms and hold community events–perfect for meeting new people and making friends! There are also suite-style housing options for first-year students, such as Parkside Arts and Humanities, which houses six to eight students within each suite. For students in their later years, USC offers suite-style options and university-owned apartments such as Cardinal Gardens and the Troy Apartment Complexes, which offer a bit more independence but still keep you close to all of the activities on campus. Graduate students have their own dedicated housing options, like the Graduate and Family Housing complexes, to meet their specific needs.  

USC has also brought back our Living Learning Communities (LLCs), where you can live with other students who share your personal or academic interests. Whether it is the Latine Floor in South Residential College (Pardee Tower), the Rainbow Floor in Birnkrant Residential College for first-year LGBTQ+ students, or the McCarthy Honors Residential College for merit scholarship recipients, these LLCs offer a unique blend of social and academic support. Students interested in these housing opportunities can mark their interest in their portal when applying for housing. 

A Supportive Community 

Living on campus gives students a strong sense of support and community throughout their first few years at USC. Starting college can be an overwhelming experience, and Residential Education (ResEd) is always available to provide programs for students to thrive both academically and personally. Each residential college has Resident Assistants (RAs) throughout each floor. These Resident Assistants are sophomores, juniors or seniors who live in the dorms alongside the first-year students to help with anything they might need. They provide support and resources, organize social and community events for their residents, and create a welcoming environment for students to succeed.  

Living away from home for the first time can be a significant change. USC's residential life programs are there to help you navigate this transition smoothly. They offer time management, financial literacy, and wellness workshops to equip you with essential life skills. USC also provides faculty in residence in each of our on-campus residence halls. These hand-picked faculty members assist in the transition to college life, host events in their homes, and offer support and community for the students. 

Community Spirit 

One exciting opportunity for our first-year students is the Residential College Cup–an annual competition between the seven first-year residence halls (Birnkrant, McCarthy Honors, New North, Parkside Arts & Humanities, Parkside International, South, and West). Second-year students who are living in USC's residential colleges and communities (Cale & Irani, Cardinal Gardens & McClintock, Century & La Sorbonne, Cowlings & Ilium, Figueroa, and Nemirovsky & Bohnett & McMorrow) will also take part in this competition. Points are earned by placement in annual events, attendance at events or scoring at events. Together, these help decide each residential college/community's rankings. Throughout each semester, there will be events for you to attend and compete in to support your residential college/community. You can meet your neighbors, make friends, attend some cool events, enjoy giveaways, make incredible memories and have fun! There is also a Residential College Cup trophy for the lucky winner at the end. 

Convenience, Accessibility, and Safety 

Corner to corner, USC's campus is about a 15–20-minute walk. So, living on campus means you are just a short walk (or bike ride) away from your classes, libraries, dining halls and recreational facilities. USC even has a campus health center so students can seek medical attention without leaving the USC area. The USC Village is found right off campus and is home to multiple grocery stores, restaurants, a fitness center, retail spaces and study spaces. Everything you need to live comfortably is available here on campus! 

Along with all these facilities, USC offers resources to ensure your safety is a top priority. 

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) operates 24/7 within a 2-mile radius of campus to ensure the safety of our students and has both emergency and non-emergency hotlines. Some other security measures include ID card-controlled access to buildings, guest ID checks, emergency call stations and a robust campus transportation system. Students have access to shuttles, the metro and free ride-shares through our partnership with Lyft.  

Conclusion 

Living on campus at USC is about being part of a community, gaining independence and making the most of your college experience. With multiple housing options in diverse living styles, a supportive community, and tons of social and academic resources, USC's residential life offers students a home away from home where they can thrive both academically and socially. Wherever you end up in USC's housing options, make the most of your experience and get involved. Whether you're a first-year student just starting out at USC or a graduate student continuing your academic journey, the Trojan family is here to support you every step of the way and make you feel at home. Fight on! 

Written by: Lucy Jordan– Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission – USC Office of Admission