School Spotlight: University of Southern California

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA From academics to athletics, the University of Southern California offers an exciting array of opportunities. Although its programs in business, communications, and international relations are incredibly well-regarded, USC provides first year students with over 175 majors to consider. Whether you’re interested in animation & digital arts, astronautical engineering, or classical guitar performance, you can pursue your passion here. Students enrolled in the College of Letters, Arts and Science—a.k.a. Dornsife—can apply to participate in the Thematic Option curriculum, which offers 200 freshmen the chance to complete their general education requirements by enrolling in honors-level interdisciplinary courses and intensive writing tutorials. Research options abound at USC, thanks in part to the nearly $700 million in outside funding the University receives annually. In addition to contacting professors directly, students can turn to one of the many research centers on campus, such as the Brain & Creativity Institute; the Game Innovation Lab; or the Institute for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research to find undergraduate opportunities. USC’s vibrant, dynamic population of 18,800 undergraduates draws heavily from California, but students from TX, NY and IL are well represented, too. Fun fact: alumni include Reggie Bush, George Lucas, Macy Gray, and Will Ferrell. Image Credit: Top, Courtesy of University of Southern California