USC Interview-hotel and transportation info?

[rxprincess]

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For those of you that have already gone to USC to interview or anyone going to the January interview, especially the out-of-state applicants, what are you doing about travel accomodations? I have never been to California and I don't have any family or friends out there. I have already looked over the travel info the school sent out, and even tried to get suggestions from someone in the admissions office, but it wasn't too helpful. I read somewhere on the interview section to rent a car, but since I don't know the area at all and I'm pretty bad with directions I think that is out of the question.

I have all my flight arrangements figured out and was planning on using one of the shuttle services or taxi to get to a hotel. I also heard USC isn't in the best part of town. Does anyone have any suggestions on what hotels/motels to use, that won't cost me an arm and leg? Could I get some advice on transportation too. Does anyone know if the students host interviewees? If there are other out-of-state applicants coming to the January USC interviews, please let me know what your plans are.

Thanks!

 

[starl1gh7]

For those of you that have already gone to USC to interview or anyone going to the January interview, especially the out-of-state applicants, what are you doing about travel accomodations? I have never been to California and I don't have any family or friends out there. I have already looked over the travel info the school sent out, and even tried to get suggestions from someone in the admissions office, but it wasn't too helpful. I read somewhere on the interview section to rent a car, but since I don't know the area at all and I'm pretty bad with directions I think that is out of the question.

I have all my flight arrangements figured out and was planning on using one of the shuttle services or taxi to get to a hotel. I also heard USC isn't in the best part of town. Does anyone have any suggestions on what hotels/motels to use, that won't cost me an arm and leg? Could I get some advice on transportation too. Does anyone know if the students host interviewees? If there are other out-of-state applicants coming to the January USC interviews, please let me know what your plans are.

Thanks!

I stayed at the New Otani Hotel. Here's is the link to their website ... http://www.newotani.com/

The area is okay ... it's a few blocks away from Japantown so it'll be easy to find food (hehe!). I think Miyako(?) is the nicer hotel that is right next to Japantown. I'm sure it's more expensive though.

For my interview ... I took the hotel shuttle to USC ... it's complimentary service ... but I tipped the driver because he was very nice and I wanted him to come back and pick me up. Ask the driver for a card so that you can call the hotel front desk to arrange for someone to pick you up after the interview.

Oh, there's also wholesale markets several blocks away from the hotel. It's alright to visit during the day, but try to avoid it when it gets dark.

One last thing, taxi and airport shuttle were about the same price for me. I took the shuttle to the hotel, and then the taxi to the airport.

 

[ICA]

I stayed at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downton LA.

I reserved the hotel through Priceline and was able to get a room for $55/night using a bidding technique I learned from biddingfortravel.com

The hotel was really nice (4 stars). Everything I needed was there: Dozens of restarunts, shops and even a "floating" gym and running track inside the hotel.

I can't comment on the shuttle/taxi services since I brought my own car.

Let me know if you need help bidding on a room.