So I’m completely in love with USC right now, and planning on applying this fall. I’m interested in things such as data science, business intelligence, statistical computing, and optimization. My ultimate goal is to get an MBA from a top tier (top 10) MBA school and go into consulting.
Should I go for undergrad industrial engineering at Viterbi, or undergrad business at Marshall and do something like DSO or management? How powerful really is the undergrad business school? I know undergrad business isn’t really worth much across the USA (unless it’s like Wharton/NYU level), but does USC’s program help with job placement and career success? Any comments from current or graduated Trojans? I’m from Florida btw, so I’m not too familiar with West Coast schools or the job market for my interest.
I have heard that Viterbi will not review your application if you put them for second choice, so if you are interested in engineering, I would apply with Viterbi as your first choice and Marshall as second. I’ve heard it’s much easier to transfer from Viterbi to Marshall than vice versa and I think Marshall will take a look at your application if Viterbi rejects you.
^^ Correct. The topics you mentioned above can get pretty technical, and I’m not seeing anything in the Marshall undergrad programs that go very deep into the subjects.
I have not looked into it, but it might be easier getting admitted as a freshman to Marshall than Viterbi.
I believe Marshall’s Data Science & Operations is the closest to what you want in an undergraduate business school.If it is Marshall’s DS&O, you might want to take an extra year of math beyond calculus or minor in math.
Not related to Marshall, I know in the old days at UCB, industrial engineering was similar to management science majors at the Haas undergraduate school. For that major, one had to take an extra year of math beyond first year calculus. Now at Haas, they don’t have majors anymore, just concentrations, and students take classes such as Production & Operations Management, Game Theory & Bus. Decision, similar to what is offered at Marshall.
Btw, Marshall has an excellent reputation nationally and the undergraduate school is generally ranked in the top 10 or top 20.
Just by the name, you would think that “Data Science and Operations” would be ideal. But it seems like its suggested “undergraduate job baskets” are still very business-oriented without going too deeply into the technology. I’ve been doing some data science over the last few years, and it’s about 80% programming and 20% analysis.
I think the closest thing to what aneeshs17 wants would be the Computer Science and Business Administration degree offered through Viterbi.