USC Dornsife Admission

Stories from current students, the latest Dornsife news, and some fun things along the way.

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USC Student Organizations

One of my favorite things about Dornsife is the fantastic student organizations that the school houses. There are SO many ways to become involved outside of the classroom, and somehow make a grand impact on your area of study that DOESN'T require turning an essay in to a professor. For me, becoming a member of USC's foreign service society was hands down the best decision I made to begin my lifetime commitment to international work.

Since January of 2020, I have been the Humanitarian Affairs Vice President of the society, meaning that I'm in charge of organizing philanthropic opportunities for fellow members as well as connecting our society with leading international nonprofits and NGOs across the globe. For Fall 2020, our "Week of Action" topic was water security and health in Nigeria. We reached out to HACEY, a water security NGO based in Lagos, Nigeria, about partnering with them and offering all of our (virtual) funds raised throughout the week to them. They were more than thrilled to partner with us, and even agreed to joining our society for an educational water security event at the end of the week.

For the event, we were joined by co-founder of HACEY, Rhoda Robinson, who enlightened us about the fascinating ways in which access to water can improve female empowerment, education, the economy, and of course health longevity, just to name a few. I learned a great deal about how their Clean Water Initiative, involving building boreholes in rural southwestern Nigerian communities and educating school children about sanitary practices (more important than ever before!), is sustainably changing the lives of thousands.

I was able to moderate the Zoom event, which ended up having a wonderful turnout of many IR and non-IR majors all curious about making a global difference. Rhoda, for instance, is an incredibly inspiring woman who founded HACEY during her third year of university (which I happen to be in right now!). She shared with us professional advice about navigating international service moving forward.

Ultimately, getting involved in international/service-oriented organizations based in Dornsife is a wonderful way to apply the knowledge you learn in the classroom to the real world. At Dornsife, you're surrounded by the resources, motivated student body, and amazing support system to have all the potential to lead change at your fingertips!

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Supplemental Instruction

Making the jump from high school to college can be a big adjustment! The learning curve of how to study, communicate with professors, and manage classes is a large part of what can make the adjustment challenging. Supplemental Instruction (SI) was so helpful to me in my first two years. SI is a program in which weekly review lessons are taught by a student who has previously taken the class and done well. The supplemental instructor makes a worksheet covering important material that the professor covered that week, goes over the entirety of it during an hour, and answers questions. They work closely with the professor to ensure that students are prepared and have a good grasp of the subject. I have found supplemental instruction to be so helpful, especially the week before exams! I have attended supplemental instruction meetings for my general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and molecular biology so far. My supplemental instructors have given me advice for studying, which classes they enjoyed, and how to achieve a balance during college. Attending these SI sessions is one of the best decisions I have made in my college career and has helped me immensely!

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A Guide to Biology Department Majors

Dornsife Fun Fact: Strictly speaking, there is no “biology” major at USC! Instead, under the biology department there are three different majors: Biological Sciences, Human Biology, and Quantitative Biology. At first glance, it may be hard to decide which one to choose, so here’s a guide to help you decide which biology department major is right for you!

Biological Sciences (BISC)

Can be taken as a B.A. or B.S. degree (B.S. degree has more upper-division course requirements)

72 units of courses required for B.S.; 56 units required for B.A.

Offers a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics

Biochemistry (BISC 330L) and Molecular Biology (BISC 320L) are separate courses that both have lab sections

Great for Pre-Health, most medical school/pharmacy school prerequisites are required courses in this major, such as organic chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics

Human Biology (HBIO)

Can be taken as a B.A. or B.S. degree (B.S. degree has more upper-division course requirements)

60 units of courses required for B.S.; 44 units required for B.A.

This one’s my major! I like how it has different tracks that allow you to take courses tailored to a specific field within human biology (I chose the Health and Disease B.S. track, which focuses on nutrition and metabolic disorders)

B.A. Tracks: Human Physiology and Metabolism, Human Evolutionary Biology, Human Performance

B.S. Tracks: Applied Physiology, Biomedical Science, Health and Disease, Human Evolutionary Biology

Insider tip: the major has a combined Biochemistry/Molecular Biology course without a lab (BISC 312) which is helpful for MCAT preparation!

Organic chemistry not required unless you are Pre-Health

Quantitative Biology (QBIO)

Can only be taken as a B.S. degree

Total of 72 units of courses required for the major, 10 of which must be faculty-directed research (great way to make sure you have research experience!)

Combines traditional biology classes with a strong math and computer science foundation

If you can’t decide between biology and computer science, this offers the best of both worlds

Calculus-based physics course required, but organic chemistry not required unless you are Pre-Health

Note: 128 total units (including major courses, general education, and electives) are required to graduate with a single bachelor’s degree. So feel free to use your elective units to add a minor or take fun courses outside your major!

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To the USC Class of 2024

Dear Class of 2024, 

On behalf of Miss Rona, I am so sorry. I know this semester is absolutely nothing like you imagined or expected it to be. I know it’s hard to feel like you’re in your first semester of the best four years of your life. As a sophomore, I also deeply miss Los Angeles and the community of people I’ve met at USC that made campus a home so quickly. I thought I would share some of the ways I’ve been recreating my college experience from my home in the Bay Area!  

Spend lunch video calling friends. It’s effectively a virtual dining hall. 

My friends and I have made a commitment to spend at least a couple of lunches together over Zoom. While my childhood room cannot compare to the grandeur of the McCarthy dining hall, there is something to be said about the nostalgia of spontaneous conversations over meals which have come to define much of my freshman year college experience. Catch up with a friend over lunch or a virtual coffee convo (distinct difference between convo and chat -- a.k.a the business kind). 

Hop onto the Zoom call of a class your friend cannot stop raving about.

Two weeks ago, I joined my friend’s Zoom class on social entrepreneurship. The class had a really insightful guest speaker come in to talk about his career journey and how he came to start his own consulting firm. I’m a part of the social impact consulting group on campus (LACI), so it was a really refreshing experience to listen in and learn about something outside of the scope of my classes. (While this could be frowned upon in Zoom University and in which case, you did not hear this advice from me) I would definitely recommend joining your friends’ Zoom classes for a day to learn something completely new. For example, I’ve invited my computer science friend to my Preparation for the Clinical Experience elective which focuses on medicine and the life of a doctor. Information is so widely available, and it’s so easy to make use of that! 

Listen to the rainy Harry Potter Hogwarts soundtrack while doing homework. 

This is a little trick I picked up one day while scrolling through Reddit (a dangerous pastime into the rabbit hole). If you find studying for classes or finishing homework difficult because the days can blend together and feel monotonous, I would highly recommend playing the Rainy Nights at Hogwarts background music. I kid you not, this music can transport me to another dimension of productivity because I feel like I’m in a new physical space altogether. And it works for any type of instrumental music you’re into: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Game of Thrones, Pirates of Caribbean (the list goes on). 

Play some virtual escape rooms and board games over Zoom. 

My friends and I would spend Friday nights on campus playing board games like Catan and Secret Hitler. It’s one of the traditions I miss most being at home instead of LA. Incredibly enough, all of these games are freely available online. Now, my friends and I have Zoom game nights with virtual escape rooms, online Catan, Secret Hitler, Codenames, and now the infamous, Among Us. This has been such a nice way to still make time for those I love in the chaotic season of school and midterms, while also feeling a semblance of college normalcy. 

Give yourself a rest day. 

Your mental health is so incredibly important. Take time to completely pause and invest in things you fully enjoy. For me, that means shutting down my computer and going to my local park or a socially-distanced hike with friends. Also, if you didn’t already know, as a USC student, you have free access to HBO Max. So maybe your rest day involves watching the documentary about the Women of Troy (Fight ON) or geeking out to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The times are like we always say *unprecedented* and investing in yourself and your personal interests means a renewed sense of vigor for the things you might not be so eager to do (like the homework you should be doing instead of reading this post). 

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Passion vs. Participation: How to Make Your Application Shine

We all know those students who seem to do everything and more in high school. They’re captain of the soccer team, vice president of the student council, celebrated co-captain of the speech team, lead of the school play, and yet they still somehow manage to volunteer at the local hospital every Sunday, manage 5 AP classes, and get amazing grades and test scores to top it off. It seems impossible to keep up with these god-like characters in the race to college.

However, what most students don’t realize is that passion outshines participation in most college applications. As a Dornsife Ambassador, one of my jobs is to review Common Apps to determine which students should qualify for scholarships within the school after students after acceptances go out. While I am still relatively new to the program, I have read over a hundred applications, and I can definitively say that I barely pay attention to the page that shows what the students are involved in. When you’re reading so many applications at once, the extracurriculars blend together to the point that they are practically indistinguishable from each other.

What really makes students stand out in an application is the Common App essays and the short response questions. I much prefer reading about how students found their passions for their major, an interesting trip that they’ve taken, or how a certain activity that they did inspired them to pursue higher learning than a list of extracurricular activities, as do most other essay reviewers that I’ve talked with.

When I read the Common App essays, I truly see the passion of the students, and I get a feeling of what that applicant might be like in person and if they are a good fit for the school. Participation tells relatively nothing about a person aside from how they spend their time. On the other hand, passion shows what captures that person’s unique attention and how they want to impact the world around them.

So, how do you make sure to focus on passion rather than participation in a college app?

First, you should limit the number of extracurricular activities that you participate in, and instead focus on a few in which you can progress, gain leadership positions, and participate in for multiple years instead of just one. Application reviewers like to see progression and growth in a person, which can signify a continuation of that growth in college. By demonstrating you have gained leadership experience and shown dedication in a few clubs rather than many, you will look more focused and reliable.

Secondly, make sure that you are not doing too much that your grades suffer in the process. Colleges do like to see you doing things outside of school, but they also like to see good grades, or at least improvement in grades. If your grades start suffering because you joined some more extracurriculars, this could actually hurt you more than it helps you.

Going off of my last point, you should also not pile on so much that your mental health starts suffering. Even if you have great grades and an extensive list of extracurriculars, it is not worth it to jeopardize your personal health. Not everyone can function at the same level of productivity, and that is completely okay! I know some of you reading this may not believe me when I tell you this (I know high-school me wouldn’t have), but you don’t have to force yourself to do more extracurriculars when your body physically cannot take it. That includes sleep-deprivation as well for all you coffee-addicted high school students!

Lastly, you don’t always have to do extracurricular activities that will “strengthen your application”; it is important to do some things purely for fun. This one was a huge struggle for me in high school, and I ended up choosing more obligatory extracurricular activities than ones that I was actually interested in. The point of extracurricular activities is to explore something outside of school that you find interesting. Don’t just join academic clubs because you think that they will help you look advanced to colleges because I am here to tell you that nearly every student whose application I have read does this. Instead, become president of the gardening club at your school or start your own hand-knit sock business or learn how to advocate for social justice issues. I can assure you that while you may think these things are pointless, if you are truly passionate about what you are doing it will probably outshine a passionless, extracurricular-heavy application.

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Interdisciplinary Majors in Dornsife

As you learn more about Dornsife, there’s one word you’re bound to hear over and over again: interdisciplinary. As the heart of USC and the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Dornsife hosts a variety of different majors and minors that tend to come together in interesting and unique ways. This is what being ‘interdisciplinary’ means. It means having a host of options open to you at any given moment, each providing an excellent education in its respective field. And as a Physics/Computer Science major, minoring in Russian, I can most definitely attest to this fact. 

As a young girl, I always knew I wanted to major in physics. I had been passionate about the sciences, and once I had a name for the particular science I was interested in, you could not pull me away. So, applying to USC, I applied as a Physics major, considering a potential double major in Computer Science. But, upon acceptance and further research, I discovered a secondary option: the Physics/Computer Science dual degree. So, I emailed my advisor, asking her about the difference between double majoring and the dual degree, trying to decide which would be right for me. And, considering the difficulty of each of these two majors on their own, I decided on a Physics/Computer Science dual degree. What this means is that I study in the physics department, as a Physics student, but take classes in the Viterbi Computer Science department alongside my regular Dornsife classes (about 60% physics, 40% computer science). I remember thinking that this was a very unique combination of majors, one that most other universities don’t seem to have. And yet, if we consider what is at the heart of both of these, we’ll find problem-solving is the common factor. Whether writing an algorithm to complete a given task, or calculating the electric field of a charged sphere, I am able to approach problem-solving through various directions, providing me a solid base of information that opens up a plethora of job opportunities in the future. 

And, taking further advantage of Dornsife’s interdisciplinary nature, I added on a Russian minor (a process as easy as sending one email to the Russian advisor). As a heritage-Russian speaker who has forgotten most of the language, Dornsife’s foreign language requirement reminded me of what I loved about the Russian language, connecting me with a past I had long forgotten. So I added the minor, hoping not only to relearn what was once my first language, but to help me in my dream career, working as a scientist in the government. 

Ultimately, though, what Dornsife has given me is the ability to explore all my various interests despite how unrelated they may seem, and that is the beauty of such an interdisciplinary college.

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Dornsife Advisement

One of the hardest aspects of college life is often the task of picking out your class schedule and charting your own personalized four-year academic path. The long list of available courses alone can seem daunting and even overwhelming, especially for a freshman experiencing the process for the first time. Luckily, as a student at USC Dornsife, you have access to a great team of academic advisors who are ready to work with you and develop a plan that fits your personal goals. Dornsife students are assigned an advisor for each major and minor they declare; as a double major in political science and French, I got to work with two advisors, each of whom specialized in offering advice and support in their respective departments. Before registering for classes each semester, I scheduled a meeting with my advisors to examine class options, to review my degree progress, or even simply to discuss any concerns I had about my academic experience thus far.

The Dornsife Overseas Studies Office also provides excellent advising services for those students who are planning on participating in one of Dornsife’s numerous study abroad opportunities. Before I left for USC Paris during the fall of my junior year, I met several times with Vito Grillo, my study abroad advisor, who walked me through course registration for the program, provided detailed guidance on navigating the visa process, and connected me with USC Paris alumni who gave me valuable advice about what to expect when I arrived. Being able to meet with Vito and email him at any time with questions or problems gave me the confidence I needed to fully enjoy my time abroad. Whether you’re heading overseas for the semester or simply trying to pick your classes on campus, Dornsife’s advisors are a great resource for students seeking to make the most of their undergraduate academic experience.

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Dornsife Advisement

One of the hardest aspects of college life is often the task of picking out your class schedule and charting your own personalized four-year academic path. The long list of available courses alone can seem daunting and even overwhelming, especially for a freshman experiencing the process for the first time. Luckily, as a student at USC Dornsife, you have access to a great team of academic advisors who are ready to work with you and develop a plan that fits your personal goals. Dornsife students are assigned an advisor for each major and minor they declare; as a double major in political science and French, I got to work with two advisors, each of whom specialized in offering advice and support in their respective departments. Before registering for classes each semester, I scheduled a meeting with my advisors to examine class options, to review my degree progress, or even simply to discuss any concerns I had about my academic experience thus far.

The Dornsife Overseas Studies Office also provides excellent advising services for those students who are planning on participating in one of Dornsife’s numerous study abroad opportunities. Before I left for USC Paris during the fall of my junior year, I met several times with Vito Grillo, my study abroad advisor, who walked me through course registration for the program, provided detailed guidance on navigating the visa process, and connected me with USC Paris alumni who gave me valuable advice about what to expect when I arrived. Being able to meet with Vito and email him at any time with questions or problems gave me the confidence I needed to fully enjoy my time abroad. Whether you’re heading overseas for the semester or simply trying to pick your classes on campus, Dornsife’s advisors are a great resource for students seeking to make the most of their undergraduate academic experience.

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Perks of living in Los Angeles

My first time going to a taping I remember standing and waiting outside the studio for 2 hours until we were finally let inside and able to take our seats. Worst part is no food and no bathroom :( You’re in these studios for maybe 5-7 hours for a taping and I know that sounds awful but in the end it's an amazing experience. You don’t get many opportunities to see how these shows are filmed and it's one of the perks of being in the entertainment capital of the world :)

Living in LA I’ve gotten the opportunity to go to fun tapings of shows like So you think you can dance, The Voice and Jimmy Kimmel! I remember wondering how people get to be in the audience for these shows and after googling it I found out that it's completely FREE and you just have to sign up to be a part of the mailing list. I’ve never typed my email in a box faster..

Going to these tapings was so cool and getting to see how they film these shows that I’ve been watching for years, it was like a dream!

At "So you think you can dance", I was about 2 feet away from the stage and got to see all the dancers up close. At "the Voice" I got to see the judges expressions in real time as the singers blew them away. Also got to see Nick Jonas and that was AMAZING!!

It was funny how all these stages and sets look so big on TV and in videos but in real life they were actually super small and kinda crammed. It's all about those camera angles!! 

Photo 1: A friend and I outside the Jimmy Kimmel taping!

Photo 2: Us outside the studio for So you think you can dance!

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How to navigate the college application process as a first-generation college student!

Navigating the college application process as a first-generation college student is daunting! Reflecting on my experience, there was so much that I was taking into consideration: the prestige of a college, the resources offered to students, as well as the pride I would bring to my family and community. While it was an enjoyable experience there is no denying that mass amounts of stress were there.

If you’re a senior preparing yourself for the college application process and you will be the first in your family to do so, please be kind to yourself! Do not be afraid to reach out to your counselors, mentors, family, friends, and your USC counselor that is available for your region. There are an abundance of resources available at your fingertips.

As you prepare to write your Common App essay, make sure you outline what you would like to talk about. Make sure the focus of the essay stays on you. For example, if you are writing about how a specific person has influenced or inspired you, make sure you highlight the results of their influence on you rather than just mentioning their achievements. It can be hard sometimes to keep an entire essay just about you, but this is your moment to express yourself and allow your admissions officer to get to know you on a personal level.

Next, you want to make sure that you are telling your story in a very sincere way. There is no need to write a really dramatic story (I have heard this advice countless times over the years and it is not helpful) but do portray raw emotion through your writing. If you have a witty personality, let that show. If you love creative writing, let that show. If you have a fascination with certain subjects, let that show. This is like a written version of show and tell, so “wow” your reader with your true personality because it can be felt through your writing.

After you have outlined and revised your essay numerous times, you want to get it peer-reviewed! There is no right or wrong amount of people who can read your essay. Share with everyone you would be comfortable reading your story. Have your English teachers read over it, your counselors, tutors, anyone you know whose input would be invaluable for you. Allow your readers to have ample time to read and provide feedback. As you meet with them, ask them questions like “What stood out to you?” or “What are some key takeaways from my story?”. By asking them these questions, you can take note of what is highlighted in your essay. Did they align with what you hoped would be the takeaways? Were there some comments that you didn’t expect? These are all good questions to keep in mind when writing.

As I mentioned before, this can be a long, tiring, and stressful process but you can do it! Be patient with yourself and do everything in steps. If you need a break from writing, take that break (but not for too long)! Just know that when you hit that submit button, you will sigh from relief, happiness, and pride. Good luck to you and fight on!

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How I decided on my two Dornsife majors

Some students know exactly what they want to study in college as they’re applying… and that’s awesome! This was not the case for me, though. I had (and still have!) a wide range of academic interests, and it was tough to choose just one. 

I chose Dornsife for exactly this reason— Dornsife not only allows students to be initially indecisive, Dornsife encourages students to explore a diverse array of subjects. I was accepted to Dornsife as a math major. I have loved math my entire life, and was genuinely interested in pursuing it as a major. At the same time, I was interested in International Relations, and moreover, I was curious if I could combine both Math and International Relations in a tangible way. 

Within my first week at USC, my Math major advisor recommended that I look into the Intelligence and Cyber Operations major, which pairs International Relations, Economics, and cultural studies courses in Dornsife with Computer Science and Information Technology courses in the Viterbi School of Engineering. 

I glanced at the course requirements and was immediately hooked— this major packaged so many of my interests, and offered an interdisciplinary program that I hadn’t come across before when looking at other schools. 

I officially switched my major the next day, and haven’t looked back since. The Intelligence and Cyber Operations satisfies my passion for mathematical thinking and applies it to real world issues. 

That being said— I still wanted to explore the humanities courses that Dornsife offers. In my second semester, I took a Philosophy course and was eager to see if I could incorporate the discipline into my course plan. 

While I initially intended to pursue a minor in Philosophy, I quickly added my second major— Philosophy, Politics, and Law. I made this decision not out of a desire to expand my resume or sound “impressive”; moreso, I was eager to take all of the courses required by the major. I predicted that I would likely take several of these courses as electives regardless. Though I was nervous about the challenges I might face pursuing a double major, I took a leap of faith. 

Even despite their apparent differences, my courses are all interconnected. Dornsife’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies is evident in the classroom. Whether I decide to work in government, national security, law, or journalism, I am confident it will be equally applicable as I continue down my uncertain but exciting academic path.

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Making the Most Out of Your Junior and Senior Years

Hello high school upperclassmen! College awaits in the near future, but first step is to graduate high school. For most of us (high schoolers and college students alike), this is not the semester we imagined, but we can still make the most out of it. Here’s some advice on how to do so: 

Try your best in academics. I understand this may be difficult with the online format because most of us are used to in-person classes. It’s a new process for us all so take advantage of resources that your school offers. As I’ve learned in one of my college courses, the foundation for learning and information retention is getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and hydration, and taking breaks (Zoom fatigue is real). Hang in there, folks! 

Make connections with your teachers. Go to their office hours (if offered) and ask questions. More often than not, they are happy to explain math problems or talk about your ideas for an essay. For juniors, this can be opportunity to find who you would like a teacher recommendation from for college applications. Your teachers are here for you (and they’re also adjusting to this new online teaching format too). This is a good practice for college too since all of your professors will offer office hours where you can discuss topics that you don’t understand in class, get feedback on papers, discuss paper topics, and possibly a research opportunity! 

Practice self-care and self-compassion. Find practices that help you destress and relax. Maybe it’s Netflix and a hot bath or scrolling TikTok for a set amount of time as a study break. Even better if your chosen form of self-care is something away from a screen (since we spend most of our day in Zoom classes), like taking a short walk/form of exercise or playing with a pet. Understand that you are doing your best given these unusual circumstances, so be kind to yourself and your mental health. 

Keep in touch with your friends. It’s easy to maintain friendships when you see each other in class, in the hallway, or in the cafeteria, but with remote learning, we miss those casual interactions. Scheduling weekly/biweekly FaceTime or Zoom calls with friends to catch up, play Among Us (or the latest game that’s taken GenZ by storm) or simply do homework while on the call can help alleviate loneliness.  

@seniors: Try not to let senioritis kick in. It’s tempting, I know, but high school isn’t over yet. Also, it’s important to do well in your studies until graduations because colleges will request your high school transcript which includes both semesters of senior year. Also, for those taking AP or IB exams, a high score can count towards college credit or waive some college course prerequisites. The grind is worth it!  

Take this time to do some self-reflection and self-discovery. Have you picked up or rediscovered a hobby during quarantine? What is important to you (values, hobbies, etc)? Where and who do you want to be in the next 4 or 5 years? Have you decided on a major or area of study that you’re passionate about and interested in? It’s okay not to know too! Interests and paths may change and that’s why many college students change their major at least once. 

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Staying connected in an online world

Online school is hard. If there’s anything I learned last semester after being shoved into COVID times, it’s that staying connected – either with friends, coursework, or activities – becomes infinitely harder. For some, the environment of an online education makes it impossible to absorb information, and they felt the need to take time off from school. Whatever the situation you are in for this semester, there are plenty of ways to stay connected with your coursework and your support system when everything is virtual.

One way I have been trying to remain focused on my schoolwork is by separating my rest and work areas in my home. I am lucky to have both a desk in my room and a couch and coffee table in my living room, which gives me two options for places to go to lecture/study. It’s usually a good rule of thumb to stay out of bed when you are trying to do work, as your brain associates your bed with rest. Consequently, you will not be as productive, and it will affect how you sleep at night. Try to have a dedicated workspace where you do all of your tasks for the day and save your bed for relaxing and sleep. If you find yourself getting bored of your setup, try to take a day to go work outside! That was one of my favorite things to do before coronavirus and its currently keeping me sane. Make sure to mask up and socially distance if you decide to work outside!

Maintaining a healthy social life has become incredibly difficult during coronavirus, but there are ways to maintain relationships in a safe way. One thing that has helped me recreate study groups is utilizing group chats and video calling. Apps like GroupMe or Facebook Messenger have a platform that allows large group chats where help on concepts and homework can be sought. You can even reach out to individuals in groups to form your own study groups, and video call when you want to have study sessions! In terms of having fun with friends, take advantage of online games and entertainment. For a lot of my clubs, the social events have been replaced with meetups to play games like Among Us, Scribbl.io, and Pictionary. These are a lot of fun, and I look forward to them after a long week of working hard for classes. There are also ways to share screens in Zoom to play movies and TV shows. For example, over the summer, one of my clubs had an Avatar the Last Airbender watch party. The possibilities for fun are endless if you get creative with the tools at your disposal.

While coronavirus has certainly made college more difficult, that doesn’t mean we can’t capture some of its essence in an online format. With all the platforms for connectivity, it is easy to maintain contact with your peers, friends, and loved ones. It can feel lonely doing classes from your childhood bedroom or your apartment, but it doesn’t have to be.

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How Did I Decide on My Major?

Picking a specific major to apply to on your college application can be a very difficult and nerve-racking process. When I was applying to schools I remember thinking, how can a teenage high school senior be asked to choose an area of study that will shape their career path for the rest of their life? This question was tormenting me, because I equated my major with my direct career path. I was talking with my parents, my teachers, and my college advisors about what subject I would possibly be passionate about it for my entire life. After exhausting the ears of all of my closest academic advisors and friends on the subject of my specified major, I had a new perspective thrust upon me by my older brother. He framed college majors as an acquired skill set rather direct career path. The area of study you major in gives you a certain toolkit of expertise and abilities that you can then apply to any job or path you take. Obviously, your major should be something that you are interested in or passionate about, but it really doesn’t lock you down to a certain job or life path. What you do with your degree is entirely up to you. In my personal experience, I was torn on whether to major in neuroscience or not. Eventually, I ended up settling on this path because I knew it was a subject I was highly interested in, but also because it gave me a skill set that I could apply to many different careers. I knew that coming out with this major I would be a critical thinker, I would know how to problem solve, I would know how to understand the intricacies of a highly complex systems within their greater higher order functions. These are broad skills I can apply as doctor, or as a consultant, or as a teacher, or as a head of a non-profit. I also decided to major in neuroscience because I knew that I could always switch if I wanted to. Choosing your major on your application is not as big of a deal as we make it up to be. Going into USC, I was registered to be receiving a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience while also being on the pre-med path. At USC I explored different interests, met new people and heard about their passions, and learned more about the field of Neuroscience and more about myself. Now, I am registered to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience as well as a minor in Archeology and Education with no pre-med emphasis. I’m sure next year, or even next semester, I will change my mind again. As I grow, I know I will change my mind, and especially in Dornsife at USC it is particularly easy to take new classes and switch your majors and minors. We’re all about the interdisciplinary lifestyle here. Now, I know after reading this you may be still stressing out about what to list as your specified major, but I hope to leave you with these two simple facts to hopefully ease your mind; your major is not a direct correlate with your career and you can, and most likely will, change your major in college. 

Good luck and best wishes! 

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How to Explore LA During COVID

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for over two years now, but I still feel like a tourist. I had big plans for returning to campus this year -- museums I was going to visit, concerts I wanted to go to, restaurants I planned to try. Of course, Covid-19 threw a pretty major wrench in all of these plans. My roommate and I had to adapt, and we managed to find a number of fun, socially distanced things to explore in LA.

The first thing we learned is that food trucks are your best friends. Many of the food trucks around USC have stayed open through the pandemic, and they have some of the best food I’ve tried so far in the city for super reasonable prices. One of my new favorites is Taco Zone, a food truck near the Autozone on South Vermont that sells tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. They cook all of their food on a stove right in front of you, and everything on their menu is in the range of $1-5 (cash only). My all time favorite food truck, though, is still Mariscos Jalisco. This truck sells absolutely the best shrimp tacos I have ever had, for only $1.50 each. They’ve been reviewed and recommended by famous LA food critic Jonathan Gold, so you know they have to be good. The Kogi food truck is also a classic, serving Korean-Mexican fusion food (although more expensive than the other options). 

We also recently discovered Zipcar, a service that allows you to rent cars by the hour as long as you are over 18, unlike most car rentals. We’ve used it to go to the Griffith Observatory (the outdoor part is still open), drive up Mulholland Drive, visit the Hollywood walk of fame, and to explore some of the beaches near campus. Our favorite covid-safe trip so far has been one to the Arts District, a neighborhood right outside of DTLA that has a bunch of outdoor art installations (mainly graffiti art). The great thing about living in LA is that the weather is always good enough to do things outside, which means that even during Covid there is no shortage of safe places to visit and activities to partake in.

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What does it mean to be pre-law at USC?

Before coming to USC, I applied as pre-law with the ideas that law school was my logical next step after my undergraduate studies. Adding a pre-law emphasis, however, is different than being pre-law at other universities as well as different from adding a different pre-professional emphasis. Adding a pre-law emphasis does not require specific courses that must be taken or any other specific requirements. Instead, declaring a pre-law status is an opportunity and door-opening aspect you can add to have access to resources revolving around applying and going to law school after graduation.

As a pre-law student, the main factor for me is the easy access to pre-law advisors. In addition to your major advisor, there is an entire pre-law department that is readily available to set up meetings with you and walk you through the process of law school. Again, this is not mandatory. However, it has been beneficial over the years to set up meetings to check in with what internships and activities set me up for a better application. I’ve also had advisory meetings about when to take the LSAT, how to study for it, how studying abroad would affect my law school application, and what it looks like to take a gap year before going to law school.

Beyond one-on-one advising, the pre-law department hosts a Law School College Fair annually, holds pre-law workshops, and offers law school personal statements and resume review.

Coming into freshman year and even later in your college career, it is okay to not know whether you want to pursue a higher degree afterwards - in law or another profession. Nonetheless, there are only positive effects of adding a pre-law emphasis if you are considering attending law school after college. 

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USC On-campus Dining Halls

Humans (including USC students) require sustenance to maintain a healthy mind and body. Luckily enough for us, there are plenty of excellent dining options in and around USC’s campus! Today, I’ll give you a brief guide to our three on-campus dining halls: The Village, Everybody’s Kitchen, and Parkside.

The Village Dining Hall (surprisingly enough) is located in the USC village, just to the north of campus. This is the newest of the three dining halls, and it looks a heck of a lot like it’s from Harry Potter. Some tips for you: sit outside! There’s a lovely outdoor seating area that doesn’t get used too often. Make sure to get a scoop of ice cream on top of your crepe (there’s a crepe station there which is so sick). When the left side food line has Mac and cheese, make sure to put some extra shredded cheese on top for extra flavor. My favorite meals here are the vegetarian noodles, the ribs, the chicken wings, the ravioli, and the Bahn Mi!

Next up, we have Everybody’s Kitchen (also known as EVK). This location is centrally located just off of McCarthy quad, and (in my opinion) has the best places to sit. There are long tables both inside and out to eat, chat with your friends, and meet new people! Pro tip: make sure to go eat there every other Friday - they have amazing orange chicken. Like, for real. This is my favorite meal in any dining hall. If you are willing/able to consume meat, then please eat the orange chicken. Other good things at EVK are the veggie burgers, the hash browns (at breakfast), and the soft-serve ice cream (with sprinkles!)

Finally, we have Parkside dining hall, which is located on the southwest side of campus. Parkside, in my opinion, symbolizes comfort. Anytime I want some pizza, a burger, a really dense salad, or anything else that makes me feel REALLY good when I eat it, I walk down to Parkside. Pro tip: if you're super stressed out about a test, go through a breakup, or suffer any other sort of annoyance, treat yourself a bit at Parkside (and also access our on-campus counseling resources if you need!) My favorite meals here are Pho, tacos, sautéed veggies (sounds kinda basic I know, but they’re really rad), cereal (they have the widest selection of any dining hall), and shrimp pizza. I hope that this guide helps prepare you a bit for the dining scene on campus; feast on!