For far too long outsiders have regarded USC as “the University of Spoiled Children.” As anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time at USC knows, this is a gross generalization. 

Although more than 60 percent of USC students receive some sort of financial assistance and the most recently admitted class has 64 percent students of color, the university’s stereotype of the rich, white frat boy remains. 

This series is aimed at debunking the myth about who the USC student is by talking with hopeful teens from all different walks of life who have their eyes set on USC. Even if some people choose to ignore the sweeping changes in academic rigor and student identity that have been taking place over the past three decades, today’s students see it. They see the vast potential that USC symbolizes and they want to take part in it. 

Nathan Ong

Nathan Ong, a college sophomore at Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) talks about spending his first year away from home and why he hopes to transfer to USC.

“Being rejected this year has left me unfazed,” said Nathan about being unable to transfer to USC for the upcoming year. “As long as I continue to grow as a person in this upcoming school year, I'm happy.”

When his peers set off across the country for college, Nathan made a major leap towards adulthood, too.

“The summer after high school I spent seven weeks in the wilderness to isolate myself from the distractions of the world so I could really reflect and figure out what kind of person I want to be,” said Nathan. “My time there drastically changed my outlook on life and how I want to conduct mine. The experience has helped me become more mature."

After nearly two months living isolated in nature, Nathan said he felt ready to take on college life at Santa Barbara.

“Living alone gave me the chance to start an independent life, and be responsible for myself, which taught me a lot,” said Nathan. “I learned how to save money, the importance of having a job, and how to manage my time responsibly.”

With many cash-strapped families and debt-fearing students, more and more high school graduates like Nathan are choosing to spend their first two years at a community college before transferring to a more prestigious university. The College Board estimates that tuition costs at a public two-year school are $2,713 compared to $7,605 at a public four-year school, and $13,935 at a private school. 

Despite a positive outlook, Nathan said he is looking forward to the day when he "can be part of a real university—a place dedicated to learning.”

Some high-achieving students have struggled with the social consequences of being at a school where academic success is not the main goal of many students, while others have complained that since most people see community colleges as just a stepping stone to their future goals, it is hard to form lasting friendships, according to a study by Iowa State University.

“As a community college, SBCC is a more open campus with many students who are only part-time students and are not fully immersed in the academic experience," said Nathan. "I want to be able to be at a place where everyone around me is in the same stage as young students working towards whatever careers they hope to pursue.”

In general, American society promotes the idea that everyone should go to a four-year college straight out of high school, but that overlooks the uniqueness of each individual’s high school experiences. 

“I made mistakes in high school," said Nathan. “I focused on the wrong aspects of school, and I probably ended up selling myself short. I accept them as mistakes that I can only learn from, and as part of my experience in life. They've made me who I am today.”

According to a study by Iowa University, becoming more accepting of a variety of paths—be it vocational schools, community college, or other educational options—makes students more likely to thrive. Community colleges give students like Nathan have the opportunity to graduate from universities they love rather than merely survive fours years at a school simply because they did not live up to their full potential in high school.

“In terms of my personal growth, I don't think that my experience had I gone straight to USC instead of spending the first two years at SBCC would have changed that much,” said Nathan. “But I definitely feel like my academic experience would have been a bit different.”

Students worry that future employers to share this perspective, focusing on the university name on the final diploma and ignoring the many steps that it may take there.

“I want to go to USC because I feel like it's the perfect environment for me to prepare myself for my future and continue to grow as a person” said Nathan, confident that his two years at SBCC will enable him to finally realize his dream of becoming a Trojan.

Nathan talks about his career goals just as he talks about his academic goals, with the reassurance that even with roadblocks and altered timetables, it is possible to get to where you want to be in life as long as you stay optimistic and focused. 

Contact News Editor Sara Newman here and follow her on Twitter.