It’s official: National Decision Day is in less than one month. May 1st marks a day when most high school seniors finally commit to a college. I remember being over the moon when I received college acceptance letters. Then, I realized I had to narrow it down to just one college that I would spend the next four years at. No pressure.
Deciding where to go to college is probably one of the biggest decisions I had ever been faced with. I couldn’t stop comparing and contrasting what each school had to offer. When I made my final decision to go to USC, I felt overjoyed and relieved. I can’t say what the right decision is for anyone, but I can tell you how and why I chose USC.
A large reason I picked USC was because the chemical engineering program allowed me to specialize in areas like the environment or sustainable energy. I ended up choosing sustainable energy and it is my favorite part of my degree. I love that my studies can apply to a field I’m passionate about and hopefully direct me to a career in that field.
Aside from academics, I liked how the culture at USC was academically driven but still involved. People were a part of multiple on-campus clubs or organizations, successful students, and could still find time to attend a Trojan football game. School culture was a large factor for me when I was making a college decision, and what I got at USC is exactly what I was looking for.
Something I didn’t consider while I was at USC, but I’m thankful for now, is the large community of Hispanic students in engineering. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers made me feel comfortable and welcome in my new environment. My advice is to consider how the presence of a cultural or ethnic community can help your transition into college.
All in all, USC became a place that I am happy to call home. Between the palm trees along Trousdale to the rose garden on Exposition all the way to the fountain in the E-Quad, there’s no other place I’d rather be. College decisions are hard, but the end result makes the whole thing worth it!
