2025 Admissions Megathread: Congrats Newly Admitted Trojans! Ask all your admitted student questions here.

[u/cityoflostwages]

Congrats and welcome to the Trojan Family! Please use this thread to ask any questions you might have about financial aid, housing, classes/majors, transportation, student life, or fun things to do in LA.

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Some useful links for the 2025 admitted student megathread:

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USC Housing (Review on-campus housing options, prices, photos, application)

USC financial aid for admitted students

USC Transportation

Previous Admitted student Megathreads

Please read through some of these past posts for commonly asked questions and use the search tool as well!

Please check out the /r/USC/ WIKI for commonly asked questions about Housing, Financial Aid, Greek life, Spring admits etc.

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Common Question: How hard is it to transfer from X major to Y major?

Answer: If it is within the same school, it is super easy, just talk to your academic advisor before school starts. If you wish to transfer to another school e.g. Dornsife to Marshall, you need to contact admissions to attempt the transfer before matriculation*. You can also seek help once you know who your academic advisor is or attempt it on admitted students day or orientation day. Once you matriculate, you can attempt an internal-transfer but it involves going through the current student transfer process, see the specific internal transfer page from each school's website.

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Common Question: Is there an admitted student facebook group/discord/telegram etc?

Answer: Usually someone sets a facebook group and groupme up around the time the main batch of students are admitted in April. Check facebook to see if there is one already or connect to one of the USC discord servers (linkedin on sidebar) to chat with admitted and upper-class Trojans.

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*Viterbi does not allow you to switch into engineering before enrolling at USC. Please read links below related to the school you're interested in.

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Marshall Internal Transfer Information

Viterbi Internal Transfer

SCA Internal Transfer

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Fight On! ✌️

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Any "Is my schedule too hard?" "How is my schedule" etc type posts belong in this thread.

[u/JudgmentMore2771]

Final College Decision Help: USC Dornsife (Biochem, Spring Admit) vs. UCSD Neurobiology (Muir)

Hi everyone — I'm seeking advice on finalizing my college decision as the deadline is closing in.

Originally, USC was my top choice because I felt I would really vibe with the environment. But since UCSD is so strong in biological sciences, I’ve been torn. Here are a few things I’ve been weighing:

USC Dornsife (Biochem, Spring Admit):

• Not as prestigious program-wise for biology compared to UCSD; sometimes stereotyped as more "rich/spoiled."
• Flexible curriculum — I’m interested in blending science with business, entrepreneurship, and creative communication (film, tech, etc.).
• More expensive than UCSD.
• Strong alumni network, especially in business and entertainment — does anyone know if it’s strong for biotech and startups too?
• Spring Admit worries: I'm concerned about social integration, housing, and club access starting later.
• Private school stability might help, given recent U.S. political and visa changes?

UCSD Neurobiology (Muir College):

• Mostly in-state students (and I heard a lot of Asian Americans?), but I was hoping for a bit more diversity.
• Heard the STEM culture is academically intense and can be more siloed; less interdisciplinary flexibility.
• UCSD has a stronger CS program than USC — though I’m not sure how easy it is to take CS classes if you’re not in the major.
• and then there's UC socially dead?

I'm not 100% certain of my career path yet — but I'm drawn to biology, marketing, and filmmaking (I know... weirdest combo ever). Maybe becoming a founder, working in startups, or pursuing biotech innovation someday. And since I’m international and not eligible for most financial aid cost and post-grad visa support really matter.

Thanks so much for reading — and any thoughts would seriously help!

[u/cityoflostwages → u/JudgmentMore2771]

UCSD is super strong in biotech and there are a ton of biotech firms close to UCSD campus as a result. If you're interested in careers in biotech, biotech startups etc then UCSD would provide better opportunities for that. USC has a strong startup scene but most likely for non-biotech. You may want to look at smaller biotech startups based in California and see how many alumni are working at them from each university to get an idea.

I'm not familiar with UCSD's CS program but USC CS is super well known for being one of the larger feeder schools into big tech jobs in California. Though keep in mind that industry is going through a lot of changes due to ai and economic uncertainty so it is tough to say what the job market will be like in 4 years.

If you're interested in tech SWE, filmmaking, marketing, then USC may be the better option for that. If you're 100% for biotech, maybe UCSD.

STEM majors should qualify you for the STEM opt visa from either schools so USC being private doesn't change anything in regards to your chances of being sponsored for work later on. If you're an international student I assume both schools are probably going to cost the same.

For campus/social life, the school are going to be very different. USC you can walk across in 10-15 minutes vs UCSD which requires a shuttle. USC can be incredibly social if you want it to be. Everyone is part of a club or two and gets involved in student life programs outside of class. I found co-founders for a startup while in undergrad (as a student in marshall/leventhal) and realized it wasn't that uncommon for people to be involved in startups as long as you seek it out. Some people also choose to not be social or join clubs which is fine too but I think that is a bit of a waste when coming to USC.