Hello! My name is Diane, and I’m a rising Junior double majoring in both Philosophy, Politics & Law and Journalism at USC. I remember the stress of applying to different colleges and wondering which university was the right fit for me. As a first-generation college student, I often wondered if I could really see myself at any of the places I was applying to, and if I could truly belong there.
There wasn’t a clear “Aha!” moment that helped me realize that USC was the best fit for me. Instead, the truth is, there were many trials and tribulations. There were also many moments I thought were kismet, but were instead just mere coincidence. I once thought another university was meant to be for me because I saw a stranger wear that university’s hat at my favorite local coffee shop, and we talked for hours about her experience. Turns out, in the end, it wasn’t really the right match considering what I was looking for.
So… how did I know USC was the one (as all the rom-coms would put it)? Well, the ultimate compatibility test for me came down to these three things: academics, community and location.
1) Academics
I was always scared of being put into one box academically, as my curiosity and ambition led me to want to explore many different interests. I’ve always gravitated towards policy-making, reading and story-telling; so, when I saw the major Philosophy, Politics & Law, I knew instantly that I wanted to apply for that major. Upon my research, USC was one of the only universities that offered this unique major, so I knew that it was the right fit for me academically. Additionally, I loved the ability to explore subjects in other schools, and was able to take multiple Journalism courses that led me to apply to be a double major!
2) Community
USC has a 9:1 student to faculty ratio, which immediately stood out to me when I was applying to colleges. I knew I wanted smaller class sizes and meaningful connections with both my professors and classmates, instead of being just a faceless student in my courses. When I toured USC for the first time, I loved the school spirit that everyone had—from saying “Fight On!” to my tour guide to the game days and more. During Admitted Students Day, I could feel the positive energy on campus and that’s when I honestly knew that I could really see myself belonging at USC. Furthermore, USC went out of their way to connect me with fellow first-generation students, hosting events and bonding activities. I got involved with the First Generation Student Assembly last year and served as the Recruitment & Internal Affairs Director! The community is truly an irreplaceable aspect of USC and is what drew me so heavily to the university.
3) Location
We are in the heart of Los Angeles! I knew USC was the right fit for me when I visited and there were endless opportunities and fun things to do in the city. Both professionally and socially, Los Angeles was such a perfect fit for me. I get to eat my favorite Korean food by taking a 20-minute free (courtesy of USC) metro ride to Koreatown, attend endless concerts in LA’s various venues, and go to the beach and flea markets on the weekends with friends. Getting to do all this while also building my professional resume with different internship opportunities in the city that USC connects you to has been incredibly rewarding.
The academics, community and location are what made me realize that USC was the right fit for me when going through the college search process. I always like to say that it’s one thing to choose a university at the ripe age of 17 while applying to colleges, but it’s a whole different thing to be 20 and want to stay at the same university. I thank my younger self all the time for finding the right fit for me and my continued growth.
The college search process looks different for everyone, and as much as I hope you fall in love with USC like I did, I know compatibility comes down to your own personal preferences. I wish you the absolute best of luck. You’ve got this! Fight On!
With love,
Diane K.