The concern is appreciable for USC which recruits more international students than any other US college; roughly 19% of its 38,000 students come from overseas, including 2,500 from China.

However, observers have reacted philosophically, discounting an enrolment dip and instead emphasising the importance of preparedness for Chinese students moving to the US.

He Lianshui, a consultant for Beijing-based US Visa Dream, told Associated Press (AP) that the huge jump in the Chinese student population in the US had increased the chances of students being affected by violent crime or involved in accidents. “The probability is higher,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zhou Rong, a senior consultant working for New Oriental Vision Overseas Consulting said the shooting would “sound an alarm” about awareness of crime. He said the new generation of Chinese students – many growing up in one-child households – often lacked life skills such as knowing how to rent an apartment and how to exercise caution; poignant given USC lies just a mile from a high crime neighbourhood.

Peggy Blumenthal, CEO at the Institute of International Education (IIE), told the LA Times she did not predict a significant dip in foreign enrolment after the event.

“I think most students are aware that there are safety challenges in any big city and Los Angeles is not an exception,” she said, adding that most Chinese and other foreign students in the United States also come from major cities.

He Lianshui echoed her confidence saying, “As long as the attack was not targeted at Chinese, it will not slow the trend of Chinese students wanting to study in the United States.

USC has sent messages to potential freshmen worldwide about the deaths

USC has sent messages to potential freshmen worldwide about the deaths and explaining security measures that the school offers, along with statistics showing that crime has decreased in recent years.

It also has offered a $125,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case, with local council members agreeing to raise the sum to $200,000. A Los Angeles Police Department investigation is ongoing.