Go for the Gold at USC!

The city of Los Angeles was just another rough-and-tumble frontier town when the University of Southern California opened its doors in 1880. As L.A. developed into the constantly evolving hub of innovation it is today, USC has grown along with it to become a center for exploration, inspiration, and imagination for each of its ~21,000 undergraduates. The oldest private research institution in California, USC stands as a gathering place for students from across the globe to come together with the mission of transforming the world through academic and intellectual enrichment.

Adaptable Academics

USC students have over 150 majors and minors to choose from that are housed in 23 schools. USC is renowned for its #8 ranked Business program, including its Business Administration B.S. degree which allows students to choose from 11 emphases within the field such as Cinematic Arts, International Relations, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The university also ranks highly for its Computer Science major, and stands in the #1 spot for Game/Simulation Development. Most well-known however, is USC’s vibrant School of Dramatic Arts, and its programs for aspiring actors, writers, and artists on-stage and on-screen.

USC embraces interdisciplinary studies through its emphasis on the “Renaissance Ideal,” which encourages students to combine a major and minor in widely separated fields of study. Students that choose to pursue this option will graduate with the Renaissance Scholar Distinction, recognizing and celebrating their commitment to integrative academics.

True ‘Travelers’ 

Much like its beloved mascot (a white horse named Traveler), USC is dedicated to exploration and discovery—funding research in the lab, local community, and around the world. Students at USC are actively involved in ground-breaking discoveries, including how AI can help diagnose concussions and using ultrasound to restore vision. Undergraduates also have plenty of opportunities to gain research experience by working closely with renowned faculty members in their fields of interest. 

The numerous research centers on campus provide the perfect place to get started in projects across a wide array of disciplines. Opportunities like Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) allow female students the chance to dive deeply in their niche and work with a group of passionate individuals in their field. Once they have completed a project, all students are invited to share their work at the Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work where they can present projects in the arts, humanities, life sciences, math, and physical sciences. This chance to participate in a symposium as an undergraduate is invaluable! 

L.A. Living

Students can be sure there will never be a dull moment at USC. Located two miles from downtown L.A., students are immersed in the vast variety of food, culture, and recreational options that the city is famous for. The campus is positioned to be a convenient jumping-off point to the nearby neighborhoods of Venice and Santa Monica, and a short ride on the Expo Line will get you where you want to go in the metropolitan area.

USC encourages students to interact with this vibrant city through the Joint Educational Project (JEP), which stands as one of the oldest and largest service-learning programs in the United States. JEP provides students with the ability to utilize their coursework through meaningful community service, ensuring real-world experience that contributes to the Los Angeles community.

The campus itself is home to four museums and eleven art galleries, such as the USC Fisher Museum of Art and the USC Pacific Asia Museum. For students interested in athletics, USC boasts its position as the only college in the U.S. to have a gold medal athlete at the summer Olympics since 1912.

If you’re eager to spend the next four years on a college campus that prioritizes integrity, excellence, and diversity, then USC might be the right place for you. Whether you spend time participating in cutting-edge research, studying at Doheny Memorial Library, or taking weekend trips to the beach, you will always be able to call its vibrant campus home.

Interested in USC? Reach out to Berkeley2 Academy for direction on crafting your application. Our 10-week, all-inclusive Gateway Program will give you the support needed to craft submission-ready applications for five schools with your own college admission counselor. 

In grades 7-11? B2A’s Steps program will get you headed on the right track for college admissions through regular meetings throughout the school year. No matter where you’re at with the college admissions process, contact Berkeley2 Academy today to see how we can help!