Category: Los Angeles

Hi, my name is Tyler and I am currently a junior at the University of Southern California studying Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. I transferred from Irvine Valley College (IVC) after de-committing from another institution at the start of the 2020 pandemic. Because I had a lot of AP credits, I was able to complete half of my bachelor’s degree in one year out of high school.  

Why did I decide to transfer to USC (generally)? 

Weeks before committing to USC, I actually signed a letter of intent to attend another institution. Once I received my USC admission letter, I changed my mind because I felt so much more welcomed at USC. When I reached out to guidance counselors at USC, they immediately got back to me and offered to hop on a Zoom call to discuss several questions I had.  

What were your initial concerns about transferring? 

I was initially concerned about finding a community at USC since the school was still hybrid when I got on campus in Fall 2021. I remember attending 15 different club information sessions to see which was the best fit for me. By putting myself out there, I was able to find a home within a home at USC. I am now actively involved in Sigma Eta Pi, Trojan Investing Society, SC Auto Society, Family Business Society, and various other organizations.  

My perspective as a transfer student to USC. 

Coming to USC as a low-income, first-generation college student, I felt incredible pressure to do well in school so I could eventually find success in the workforce. My parents encouraged me to stay focused, but they never pushed me as much as I pushed myself.  

As the oldest of three brothers, I always felt that I had an obligation to set a good example for my siblings. The truth is that I often felt lost. I had questions that I didn’t know the answers to. I had a lot of sleepless nights trying to balance my busy schedule. While I had two younger brothers looking up to me for help, I didn’t have anyone with whom I could go to for support and advice. 

Unable to receive aid from my family, I looked externally. With the support of the USC network, I was able to find mentors both on and off campus. Whether it was reaching out for informational interviews, coffee chats, or just asking for advice, I can’t thank USC enough for all the great people I’ve met.  

To me, college was never about just getting a degree – it was about breaking generational curses. My mindset was to succeed or else. Due to my family’s financial situation, I didn’t have a safety net or anything to fall back on. I often stare into the abyss of my bedroom ceiling, reminding myself that If I didn’t see things through at USC, I would never be able to alleviate my parents’ financial stress back at home.  

Throughout undergrad, I worked various jobs and pursued different side hustles to pay for school expenses and to stay afloat. As I worry about my upcoming exams, club meetings, career recruiting, and having fun on a Friday night like any other twenty-year-old, I am also stressing about how I am going to pay for next month’s rent.  

Still, I believe there is beauty in the struggle. Yes, there are setbacks to being a low-income first-generation student, but there are also great upsides. 

I have become resilient and recognize that there are things in life you can and can’t control. You can’t control where you come from and the financial situation you are born into, but you can control your future and your attitude.  

When things get tough, I remind myself that I am privileged to attend one of the greatest institutions in the world. I am surrounded by some of the most ambitious people who are going to change the world for the better. I draw inspiration from those around me and stay positive no matter the situation. 

I am grateful for everything I have and am always looking to pay it forward. I don’t take anything for granted and know that it can all disappear in the blink of an eye.  

One last piece of advice I have for both current and prospective students is:  

Tomorrow isn’t promised. Seize the day. Control the controllables. Stay optimistic. When things get tough, don’t give up. You already have a friend in me!  

Written by Tyler Vo, Class of 2024

High school is seen as a time of growth in life and education. As students continue through their high school experience, they are preparing to transition from teenage years to adult life – a big reality shift! In the last month of high school, students are deciding what to do with their life and future. While some are ready to move out around 17-18 years old, there are others who still need to prepare to leave. I was one of the few that decided to stay back home and continue to grow as an individual at a community college, with the intention of expanding my options even more. I attended Victor Valley College in Victorville, California from Fall 2019 until Spring 2022, earning my Associate degree in Math and Science; not following the traditional two years at community college because I wanted to maximize my transfer credits. While I was deciding what schools to commit to, having received acceptances from other institutions, I received an email from USC Admission stating that there was an update on my application portal. I finally decided to commit to a school and here I am, at USC, seven months later. 

Like any transfer student, I was excited and ready to venture out into this new journey. The thought of being in an unknown environment is very scary because, in my 21 years of life, I have never left my mother’s side. I come from a very family-oriented home, so my transition to this huge institution took a big toll on me. I was excited and ready to start my new semester but once it started, it felt very overwhelming and I could not find time for anything, not even for myself. I would compare my life in community college to the new one all the time. In community college and in high school, I was an active member of my community while balancing school and a full-time job. As my time continued, I began to become more familiar with my new environment at USC and the outside resources, like office hours, supplemental instruction, La Casa, and other small groups around campus. As I learned in my “Population and Environmental Biology” course at my previous institution, living organisms experience behavioral stress when removed from a place of familiarity and are placed in a new habitat. It takes all living organisms – including people – time to adapt to their new environment and find ways that will allow them to survive. Not everyone who transfers or enters a new place will experience “imposter syndrome,” and it is very different for each individual. 

All people who transfer to USC or any institution come from distinct backgrounds and have their own stories to tell. From what I have experienced, everyone has a different transfer story and different ways to cope with their adjustments. As cliché as it may sound, it takes time to adjust to a change, but rest assure that this adjustment period is an opportunity to grow more familiar with your surroundings and enjoy the plethora of opportunities that USC and its students provide. There is truly a place for everyone on campus, and after I found mine I knew that I absolutely made the right choice. 

Written by Alicia Camarena, Class of 2024