eplusk wrote:
I know this is not the thread for it, but can someone direct me to where I can post a question regarding different neighborhoods MBA students live while attending USC?
A good amount of information is given out during Admit Weekend (I'll be there!) and in the admissions binder. It basically boils down to Downtown LA, Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile, and Santa Monica, with some people sprinkled around Echo Park/Silverlake, Pasadena, Brentwood, and the other beaches.
There's no official poll, and maybe I'm biased, but most first years seem to settle around Downtown LA. It's a quick 2-mile drive to campus, and the density around here means you're close to lots of bars, restaurants, and other Marshall MBA students. The building I live in (Pegasus) houses about a dozen current Marshall students, mostly first years, so it's been convenient to meet up and study with classmates.
If anything, I'd try to live close to other students. It's a pain driving out every weekend to meet up with people -- the Santa Monica, Downtown, and KTown people are generally a short walk or taxi ride away from central bars, and it's easier to get back home after a long night.
As far as logistics, I met a bunch of people during Admit Weekend last year, and decided to look for a place with a fellow admit. We looked at apartments in DTLA in May/June, and settled on a place in early July, with a mid-July movein date. Expect to spend around $1200-$1400/mo. for rent (most people, regardless of studio vs. roommate or location, end up in this range).