10 Things I Wish I knew at USC | Advice from a USC Grad | College Tips and Advice

I made "10 Things I Wish I knew at USC" to share things I wish I knew (shout out to r/USC as well!) when I was a student, to help incoming and current college students have a more enjoyable experience at USC!
Please feel free to ask questions or leave feedback in the comment section below - New videos every week!
If you're an incoming or current college student, please subscribe as I post videos every week to help students excel - fight on!
Connect with me on LinkedIn: / eesensivapalan
My Personal Website: www.imeesen.com
Email: [e-mail]
Music: USC Fight Song and www.bensound.com
Links Mentioned:
1) Catalina Island Contact: dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/tran...
2) USC Software: www.software.usc.edu
3) VDI: itservices.usc.edu/vdi
4) Double-counting GEs: dornsife.usc.edu/2015ge/ge-g-...
5) Annenberg Adobe Certification Courses: www.annenbergdl.org/
6) Dornsife SOAR/SURF: dornsife.usc.edu/undergraduat...
7) Unruh Institute Information: dornsife-center-for-political...
8) USC Special Collections Office Information: libraries.usc.edu/locations/s...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Catalina Island
1:06 Free Software
1:28 GE Hacks
2:01 Adobe Certification
3:00 Marshall 3 Course Limit
3:23 Dornsife Programs
4:06 Special Collections Office
4:30 Must Take Classes
5:37 Free HBO
5:57 Sign up for Classes on Time!
#usc #fighton #college

[@Eesen]

Please let me know if I missed anything; fight on!

[@akshaymanglani82]

This was really helpful. I was recently admitted to usc marshall for spring tho? Whats your take on starting college a semester later?

[@Eesen]

@@akshaymanglani82 Thank you so much for your comment and I'm so sorry for the delayed response! I didn't get a notification about your comment strangely. Personally, I think it's 100% fine to start later. Because I transferred and for other reasons, I needed an additional 2 years to complete college so I was at USC for a full 4 years. And looking back, I am so glad I took that time because I was more mature and was able to better utilize the time I had. I would use the fall semester to take classes at your local community college and also get some work experience to build your resume - feel free to reach out to me if you need career advice too or have any other questions! www.linkedin.com/in/eesens/

[@l.a.gentrification9017]

USC CRINGE 😬🤢🤮

[@ramchowdaryponnam3160]

Do you know Kanika jindhal?..

[@GoldenTheaterYT]

I’m not even a freshman yet, I’m thinking five steps ahead 😎

[@Eesen]

That's good! Planning ahead is so important - you will learn so much over time and maybe even find an interest in something you didn't think you'd be interested in. Fight on!

[@ItsConnie]

I really love the images and transitions, especially the Workday one and the quote!

[@Eesen]

I appreciate that, Connie!

[@klarissapalacios]

oh my gosh this was the most helpful usc video I've seen thus far, THANK YOU !!

[@Eesen]

Super glad to hear that, Klarissa - Fight on!

[@aroybal12]

Thank you for this!

[@Eesen]

You're welcome, Adrian! Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions.

[@mahsa.khoshneviszadeh]

Thanks for great content 🙏🏼

[@Eesen]

You're welcome, Mahsa, and thank you for your kind words! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions

[@christina735]

You're amazing, Eesen! 😊

[@Eesen]

Thank you so much, Christina!

[@teddycarroll2405]

Great content!

[@Eesen]

Thank you and fight on, Teddy!

[@MaritsaDarman]

Big schools with big funding can do bigger things (for the environment) ❤️

[@Eesen]

Agreed!

[@leocampos1461]

Thanks 👍

[@Eesen]

You're welcome, Leo!

[@leolancaster7396]

I love your videos which is super helpful! I am planning to transfer in USC in the sophomore year. Any Transfer tips you can offer to me?

[@Eesen]

Hey Leo, thank you so much! I'm also very happy to hear that you're considering transferring to USC - Did you know that USC has a relatively high transfer acceptance rate (24%~)? Some questions I would think about are: 1. What do you want to study at USC? I studied Business Administration and Accounting, so if you're planning to study either of these, I can definitely offer some solid advice. 2. I'd look into the transfer requirements for the school you're looking to transfer into, at USC - for example, to transfer into Marshall (business school), you need to have completed the equivalent of WRIT-150 and MATH-118 3. Start thinking about why you want to transfer to USC. This will help you as you prepare to write your transfer essays to USC. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you'd like to chat more - fight on!

[@hopehope8116]

Gold

[@Eesen]

Thank you Hope!

[@tavv3485]

Thanks for the helpful video! any housing recommendations for transfer in Junior students?

[@Eesen]

You're welcome! I'd recommend taking a look at Tuscany and The Lorenzo. I'm sure they're more expensive than when I went to school, but they are great housing options. Also, join the USC housing FB group! I ended up meeting my roommates for my junior and senior years through that group.

[@user-ih5vv9gn6o]

I am attending this fall. I just wanna know how is the workload? I want to work either by work study or part time but I don’t want it to get in the way of my learning. I also have to get my own car so either way I have to work somehow. Any tips is appreciated thanks!

[@Eesen]

Congrats, Judith! I worked a work-study job averaging 10-12 hours/week and it was very manageable and I was also very involved in on-campus organizations. I transferred to USC and I could feel the difference in intensity, so my advice to you would be to remain as organized as possible. I liked using Google Calendar to stay organized and I would try not to procrastinate (easier said than done!). My recommendation is that you get a work-study job so that you're on campus which makes it easier to get to class. Let me know if you have any questions or feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn - fight on!

[@elicia_]

Hey, thanks for the video! Do you have any tips or advice for Thornton grad students you might’ve heard during your time at usc?

[@Eesen]

Thanks for watching, Elicia! I didn't interact much with Thornton students, so I personally don't have any tips for Thornton students. But I found some resources that you might want to take a look at: 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoWnZ5igd750kK8 2. music.usc.edu/thornton-student-ambassadors-look-back-part-2/ - Thornton student ambassadors offer some tips ^ Based on point #2, I'd consider reaching out to some Thornton student ambassadors for advice - I know you said advice for grad students, but they might be able to point you in the right direction!

[@elicia_]

@@Eesen Thank you so much for the extra information, it’s very much appreciated!

[@Eesen]

@@elicia_ You're welcome and please don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions - fight on!

[@varidhidcruz7990]

Hi Eesen, I just got accepted into USC for MA in Annenberg. International student, so I'm gonna start my VISA process. I really wanted to know when do we select our classes? I will be joining in Fall 2022.

[@Eesen]

Hi Varidhi, congrats on getting admitted to USC! That's a good question - I would reach out to your academic advisor to find out. There's typically a Registration calendar for continuing students, but I don't think that would apply to newly admitted students, like yourself.

[@zomb7138]

You select your classes at orientation. Check your email for the dates and schedule :)

[@anitaagustin1151]

Eesen I currently attend CSUN and would to enroll as a limited status student at USC for the fall. Any advice? Want to pursue my academics at USC

[@Eesen]

Hi Anita, I'm so sorry for the delay! I'm going to be checking my KZbin comment section more frequently as I don't always get notifications if someone comments. Here's the link to reading more about Limited Status Enrollment at USC: arr.usc.edu/services/registration/limitedstatus.html But may I ask why you want to enroll as a limited status student? Have you already been admitted? I've heard of students getting a deferred admission and then taking coursework at USC to work towards their eventual degree from USC. My knowledge on limited status enrollment is limited but I'll do the best I can to help you!

[@bodirockbeats]

Need your opinions, y’all. Currently in CC, could transfer to CSUN or any CSU next year because they accept my credits. Or stay in CC another year to transfer to USC or UCLA. Thoughts? Is it worth the extra year in CC and ultimately year of my life?

[@bodirockbeats]

Btw I’m a veteran so tuition/debt is not a concern. Just want the best “bang for my buck” as I know USC and UCLA are more “prestigious”…

[@Eesen]

Hey BODI! I'm so sorry for the delay - I haven't checked my KZbin comments at all. I'm sure you've probably already made your plans, but I think it might be better to stay in CC for another year and transfer to USC and UCLA. I think both of those schools have a strong brand name that will help you more and give you more opportunities so comprared to CSUN or a CSU - I'm not saying that CSUN or CSUs are bad schools, but when weighing the options, I'd say USC and UCLA would be the better option here. Don't worry about the extra year either - I stayed 2 more years at USC, even though I was a transfer student (I did a full 4 years basically) and can say that it was one of the best decisions I made.

[@bernaortiz3518]

Stay at CC and transfer to UCLA/USC. The opportunities are unmatched

[@srsriniv]

Hi Eesen. My son has a Physics degree from University of Toledo with a GPA of 4. Does he stand a chance for admission as he is keen to apply for MSC/PHD in Physics to USC? Is GRE required here?

[@Eesen]

Hi Mrs. Srinivasa, thanks for your message! I found the sites for both of the degrees your son is interested in: 1. MsC in Physics: catalogue.usc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=16&poid=21102&hl=physics&returnto=search 2. PhD in Physics: catalogue.usc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=16&poid=21104&hl Based on what I'm reading, it looks like the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is required for both of those degrees, in addition to the Physics subject test. I'd recommend reading through those sites to better understand what the requirements are. It's hard for me to determine what his chances might be, especially since I did not get a Masters or PhD from USC, but a 4.0 is very impressive. I think it's worth applying if he does meet all of the requirements.

[@yummyramen1922]

Hi Essen I don’t know If you’ll see this but I’m planning to add USC to my college list, does it have a animation major?

[@Eesen]

Apologies for the delay, YummyRamen! USC does indeed have an animation major and you can read more about their program here: cinema.usc.edu/animation/index.cfm Fight on!

[@boopsea6415]

any advice for incoming freshmen regarding dorms or programs to sign up for early?

[@Eesen]

Hi Chelsea, thank you so much for your question! Because I transferred to USC, I always lived right off campus so I can't speak to dorms. But, there are a bunch of cool programs that you should be aware of as part of your first year experience - definitely check this page out: undergrad.usc.edu/first-year/ Fight on and good luck with your first year - Feel free to ask me more questions if you have them!

[@boopsea6415]

@@Eesen thank you so much ❤️ I will reach out with questions once I commit ✨✨ FIGHT ON!!

[@Eesen]

@@boopsea6415 Awesome and fight on!!!

[@natbat1869]

o M g there’s a surf class O.o

[@axelstefanus4793]

Wow, you make me interested to usc lol.

[@Eesen]

I'm so glad, Axel! Please let me know if you have any questions.

[@axelstefanus4793]

@@Eesen i'm from indonesia, is there any merit base scholarship or other scholarship for international student?

[@Eesen]

Axel, I'm so sorry for not responding to your comment! I guess when a user comments to replies to an existing comment, I don't get notified. To answer your question - yes, international students are eligible for merit-based scholarships as noted here: financialaid.usc.edu/general/international-students.html The list of merit-based scholarships is available here: admission.usc.edu/apply/scholarships/

[@blizz8563]

I don't even know why I'm watching this. The decisions aren't even out yet

[@Eesen]

I hope you get admitted Blizz - and remember, even if you don't get admitted as a freshman, you can try again as a transfer student! I transferred to USC in the fall of 2014 and it was one of the best decisions of my life. All the very best and let me know if I can help - fight on!

[@aweleoniah476]

I just got rejected a few days ago

[@Eesen]

Sorry to hear that! Did you apply as a freshman or transfer? The transfer acceptance rate is much higher than it is for freshmen

[@lynanaturelle4619]

Is this university awarding a scholarship?

[@Eesen]

Hi Lyna! Yes, USC offers LOTS of scholarships - here's the list of scholarships available directly from the University: admission.usc.edu/apply/scholarships/ Also, each individual school may offer their own scholarships, both before and after you've been admitted. For example, here is the link for continuing students pursuing a degree from the Marshall School of Business: www.marshall.usc.edu/current-students/scholarships-continuing-students Please let me know if you have any questions and if you want to contact me directly, here is my LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eesens/ Thanks!

[@l.a.gentrification9017]

USC CRINGE 😬🤢🤮

[@Eesen]

Fight On! ✌😎