Student Perspectives: What Makes USC Special to Me
I can still remember my first night as a USC student. Sitting in my freshly decorated dorm room, my backpack ready to go, and my new roommate across the room, I could only sit there and try to imagine what my next four years would be like. When I accepted my admission to USC, I could only go by what I knew about the school: what people had told me, my research during the application process, and what I had seen on my campus tour. And, there I was, about to see for myself if I had made the right decision. Looking back on that memory, I wish I could tell myself that not only did I make the right decision, but I had found my dream school.
Hello everyone! My name is Makenna Harding-Davis, and I am a rising junior majoring in Music Composition. I am also double minoring in Music Production and Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism. After finishing my first two years of college, I have a lot to say about what makes USC special.
The USC Community
It took me a few months to become fully adjusted to being a college student. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived, and trying to make friends on top of managing all the things that come along with being independent for the first time was difficult for me. Luckily, there was no shortage of support in every area of campus. Within my academic program, I soon found myself surrounded by a tight-knit community of fellow composers who were eager to give me advice, class recommendations, and show me the ropes. When I was worried that I would have to sit alone in my classes, I would have people come and sit next to me, and we would start a conversation. When I started joining clubs like the Student Symphony Orchestra and the Ultimate Frisbee team, I was surprised to find that not only were they places for people to pursue their passions collectively, but they also had planned social activities, built-in mentorship programs, and traditions meant to bring people together. Even at my job as a tour guide, I had so many people looking out for me, and some of my first times hanging out with people at USC were with my new coworkers. One of the most exciting aspects of being an upperclassman is that I’m in a position to provide the same support and community to the next generation of the Trojan Family, and perhaps be for them what so many other people were for me.
The Los Angeles Area
My view of the city of Los Angeles has changed drastically from what I originally imagined it would be. I used to think that it was all about Hollywood and the entertainment industry, but, now that I’ve lived here for a couple of years, I’ve realized that all that is only a small part of it. With the U-Pass, which provides students with free public transportation throughout LA, the entire city becomes accessible for exploration. Some of my favorite places to go include Koreatown, where I’ve never had a bad meal; Santa Monica, where I can casually pop over for a few hours to enjoy the beach or catch a sunset; and Downtown LA, where you have no shortage of concert venues or museums to experience some great art. Almost every industry has ties to Los Angeles, so regardless of your field, you will be able to find professional opportunities to help you towards your career goals. My friend who wants to be an engineer is currently interning at Chevron, another who wants to be a nurse is at Cedars-Sinai, and another who wants to be a director is at Warner Bros. And, although the entertainment industry is not everything this city is about, I will admit it is a fun perk to be able to attend screenings of movies before they come out, and occasionally spot a celebrity or artist you are a fan of at or around campus.
The Interdisciplinary Experience
One of the best aspects of USC is the interdisciplinary nature of your experiences, both in and out of the classroom. First, the general education program is designed to encourage students to learn about topics they are interested in while exploring subjects outside of their chosen major. None of the GEs I have taken were related to music, but they have all ignited new interests in me. The most recent one is linguistics, which I have become passionate about since taking a Language and Society GE course last semester. There is also significant cross-collaboration between the different departments and schools within the university. Within my program, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with peers from the Kaufman School of Dance and the School of Cinematic Arts, establishing creative partnerships and working with incredibly talented individuals. Additionally, while I still reap all the benefits of learning at a conservatory-style music school, I can also leave the music bubble and meet many people with diverse backgrounds and interests. It is inspiring to see how passionate my peers are about their chosen subjects, and I have learned a great deal about the world by being in a place that is so open to exploration.
The Trojan Family
I can remember the first time someone said “Fight On” to me. It was the day after I accepted my admission to USC. At the time, I was mainly focused on the benefits I would experience while in school, not on what it would offer me after graduation. But that day, after I put on my USC sweatshirt for the first time, somebody told me to “Fight On” from across the grocery store parking lot, and I realized I had not only found a school, but a lifelong community. No matter where I am in my career, I will have a support system of thousands of people from around the world ready to uplift me. I’ve had people within the Trojan family help me find internships, invite me to network at conventions and screenings, and even introduce me to others who have helped me on my journey to becoming a film composer. Nowhere can you see the Trojan Family better than at our football games, where babies to grandpas to dogs all flood campus wearing their cardinal and gold merch. It’s just so special to know that even when I’m no longer a student, I will be a part of something so much bigger than myself, and continue to receive unlimited support and community for the rest of my life.
There are lots of unexpected aspects of USC that I could only have learned about by being a student and experiencing them firsthand. Whether it's the community I’ve found on and off campus, the opportunities I’ve gotten or the memories I’ve made in Los Angeles, there are so many things I love about this school that I don’t think I could have found anywhere else. The funny thing is that, while none of them were reasons why I chose to go here, they are now the reasons I am confident I made the right choice. As I look forward to my remaining years at USC, I can’t wait to see what other surprises and experiences await me.