Making the Most of Your USC Visit
Making the Most of Your USC Visit
The best way to get to know USC is to visit campus. Whether you’re coming from near or far, why not make the most of your visit with us. Here are some tips about just that…
Gather as much information as possible…
There are so many offerings for those of you who visit campus. If you can pick only one activity, I would recommend a student-led walking tour of campus. You’ll have the chance to learn more about the university as a whole and gain a perspective on student life. If you can, however, we encourage you to attend the added admission presentation, where you’ll have the chance to hear about what makes USC unique and, perhaps more importantly, what the application process entails. And, if you really want to time things right, consider attending an academic department session—which are not offered every day (so you’ll want to plan accordingly). This way, you’ll get more details about your intended major academic department offerings.
Where to stay…
Those of you coming from out of town may need to spend the night before or after in Los Angeles. Your most convenient option will be to stay at the USC Hotel, which is just across the street from campus and only a 10-minute walk to the Admission Center. (Plus, the Lab Gastropub next door could be a potential dinner option.) If you want to explore other parts of Los Angeles, there’s Downtown Los Angeles about two miles away. You’ll find every major hotel chain in the downtown area. In DTLA, you can take advantage of attractions like L.A. Live, the Broad Museum and Grand Central Market. If you want to stay near the beach, but just a 45-minute metro ride (Yes! We have public transportation in Los Angeles!), there’s Santa Monica. Just be sure to bring me a Sidecar donut.
Where to eat…
You have tons of options for where to eat on campus. If you haven’t already, my recommendation would be to eat in a college dining hall. It gives you a chance to really take things in. If I had my pick, I’d go with the USC Village Dining Hall, which is stunning. They have a Flexitarian section with good vegetarian and vegan options, plus a crepes station! If you’re looking for something a little fancier, there’s Moreton Fig, an on-campus restaurant (right next to the Tutor Campus Center) that focuses on seasonal and market-driven cuisine. It’s best to make a reservation on the restaurant’s website. My other recommendation is in the USC Village, which is worth a visit in and of itself. There’s Dulce. Oh, Dulce, how I love you! Grab one of their pastries or famous breakfast burritos for breakfast, a matcha latte if you need of some caffeine, or their Mango Jicama Salad for lunch. Pro tip: The line is always crazy, so get the app and order ahead of time. Then go straight to the counter to pick up your food. (The only downside is you can’t get one of their famous drinks with pickup.)
Visiting Our Student Equity and Inclusion Programs...
Your home base for the day is the Admission Center. While you’re in the Tutor Campus Center, why not check out the homes of our Student Equity and Inclusion Programs, one of the many places where USC students find community and can attend some awesome events. You’ll find Asian Pacific American Student Services, Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, First Generation Plus Success Center, La CASA, LGBTQ+ Student Center, Student Basic Needs and the Veterans Resource Center. Just drop in to say hello.
Events on campus…
If you really have a lot of time, check out the events happening on campus at calendar.usc.edu. There may certainly be some events only open to students; but there may be others open to the general public. Not enough time for a full event? There are also rotating mini exhibits in Doheny Library (for which you’ll need to show your ID to enter) and the School of Cinematic Arts.
I hope this helps you plan an action-packed trip to campus. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Written by: Anne Aubert-Santelli - Associate Director, USC Office of Admission