Student Perspectives: Making the Move from the East Coast to the West Coast

(My friends Zach and Henry, who happen to be from Virginia and Florida respectively, visiting Big Bear for the first time!)

Hey everyone! My name is Frankie Alvarez Lora, and I am a senior at USC majoring in Theatre and double minoring in Screenwriting and Public Relations. Hailing all the way from Jacksonville, Florida, I wanted to share some of the reasons why I moved coast to coast for college and some important tricks I learned to help me adjust!

How to Learn More About USC if You’re Out-of-State

I first found out about USC after watching an episode of College Jeopardy. I didn’t think too much back then but I remember thinking to myself “The guy from USC just won the whole tournament. I wonder if I should apply?” Fast forward to my senior year of high school... I remember speaking to my counselor about some of the top schools with programs I was interested in, and there was USC, near the top of every list. Utilizing websites like Niche and Naviance, which specialize in giving detailed summaries of universities, I was able to find out some more information about USC and the various programs it offers. And though I didn’t do this (mainly because I didn’t know it existed), I think it can be very valuable to attend an academic department information session to learn more about specific majors and the opportunities that they have.

I think what prevents a lot of people from applying to out-of-state schools is that they don’t have the means to travel all the way there and tour it. This is completely understandable. While I may be biased, since I work at the Admission Center, I think we offer great virtual information sessions about the admission process. These virtual information sessions allow students and their families to learn more about USC from the comfort of their own homes. And, yes, while it may be better to see the university for yourself, attending a virtual information session is a great alternative that still provides lots of helpful information.

Why Apply to a School So Far?

Good question. But here’s another question: What do you have to lose? There is no penalty in applying for a college that is out-of-state. And yes, out-of-state tuition/higher tuition rates may affect certain situations, but it’s important to note that USC is a need-blind institution. This means that whoever is looking at your application does not know anything about your financial situation until after you are accepted. Also, USC meets 100% of demonstrated need. Furthermore, over 60% of the undergraduate population is on financial aid and/or a scholarship of some sort, including myself. That’s more than half of the student body utilizing the resources provided to make their dreams a lot more attainable and affordable! And, looking at the statistics from recent years, there’s a similar number of students admission from within California and outside of California. So, yes, there are a few variables that might affect your decision to attend USC, but before we get to that bridge, why don’t you submit the application and see what happens? There is no shame in trying and, if USC seems like it might be a good fit for you and your career goals, there are no downsides to expanding your options!

So Why USC?

I was the first person in my high school to ever get into USC… but only five people ever applied in its 70-year history. Obviously, going from Jacksonville to Los Angeles isn’t the most obvious decision. So why move? For me, there were a whole bunch of factors. I always wanted to live in a major city, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jacksonville, and LA was the perfect place to be for my field of study. Additionally, I was able to get some scholarships that allowed USC to become an affordable option for my family.

But the biggest reason? I come from a family of immigrants; both of my parents moved from the Dominican Republic and lived all around the U.S. before settling in Florida. From an early age, I knew that home is not where you live, but where you leave your legacy. And I knew that my legacy would not be in Jacksonville, but it might just be in Los Angeles.

In full transparency, the minute I accepted my offer to USC, I started to dread the next couple of months. I was so scared to leave my family and friends behind and start all over again. I didn’t know if I could do it. But I will say this: it’s better to try something and not like it than to never try and live a life in regret. You will always have a place back home, so why not see what else is out there for you? This is the period in your life where you are able to take the most risks, with the least amount of consequences, so take some risks and see where it gets you. You never know until you try, and trust me when I say this: you are much more capable than you think. And though retrospect is a powerful thing, I will say I am extremely grateful to have made the decision to move. If I were given the opportunity, I would do it all over again.

Tips to Make the Move Easier

There are a lot of misconceptions about moving from one coast to another, but something that is absolutely true is that there is a big difference in culture. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, but it’s important to acknowledge when preparing yourself for the move. Though it may seem scary to move to a brand new place, remember that USC has a plethora of resources available for you to make the transition a lot smoother.

In the beginning of every semester, USC has a ton of free events that are open for all students (Spark with Visions & Voices, Welcome Back Concert, Late Night SC, etc.) that are amazing opportunities to explore campus and meet new people (who might just be from out-of-state too!) Special events like football games always bring in massive waves of tailgates, which cover the entirety of campus and bring in a sense of school spirit. And, while on the topic of sports, aside from football, all sports games are free for USC students with their student ID, allowing you to come and support your fellow Trojans and be a part of our mighty fanbase known as the Legion.

Additionally, because we are in the heart of LA, students constantly have the opportunity to attend concerts, dance performances, and even early movie screenings—all of which are on the USC campus! I mention all of this because I think attending events is one of the easiest ways to adjust to your new home. Going to these games or performances gives you the feeling of being a part of the SC culture and allows you to start making your own community.

Once I got my bearings at USC, something else that helped me adjust to LA was exploring the city I was in! The top places that people always recommend are Santa Monica, The Griffith Observatory, and The Grove, but there’s so much more to consider exploring as well. Some of my favorite places are Eagle Rock, Manhattan Beach, The Huntington Gardens, and The Academy Museum. All of these places are a little too far from campus for you to walk to, but they are all within driving distance. If you’re like me and you don’t have access to a car, don’t worry because, at USC, you have access to a free TAP card that allows you to use all the metro and bus stations for free! We even have a metro line right next to campus called the E-line, and it will take you anywhere between Downtown LA and Santa Monica Beach!

Moving is never an easy thing, but there are a lot of fun and great ways to help you with your transition, and also help you fall in love with the city you live in. With all the major sports teams, concerts, and movie screenings, there’s a reason why LA is constantly regarded as one of the top cities in the U.S.

In Conclusion

As I reach the halfway point of my senior year, I can confidently say that moving to LA was the best decision of my life. But it was also the hardest. Leaving all your loved ones behind is not an easy feat, and it’s something that never gets easier. But it shouldn’t discourage you from making the move and chasing your dreams.

Going coast to coast makes you grow in ways you never thought were possible. It also allows you to become the version of yourself you always wanted to be. I think sometimes, being in your hometown your whole life can pigeonhole you a bit. But, if you’re willing to make the move, you would be surprised to see how much you will grow.

I struggled, I failed, and I definitely made a lot of awkward mistakes that I still think about at night; but I also have changed for the better. It’s a privilege to attend an institution like this and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to move to continue my passions. My parents sacrificed everything they knew to give my sister and me a better life, and I remember that every day I’m at USC. So, take the risks, make the move, but always remember to give yourself some grace. Moving anywhere is an incredibly hard thing, let alone moving across the country. Thanks for reading, and hope to see you on the other side. Fight On!