<p>Love, love, love both. Obviously, on different coasts with very different weather, but both have lots of school spirit and are in big cities with lots to do. Plan to study international relations. Costs seem comparable, with no aid to either. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I can’t really help you, but I have the same question if anyone can help</p>
<p>USC, it is more prestigious, and has a better reputation for its esteem business department</p>
<p>^^^Overlooking the spelling and grammar errors in the above statement, the latest undergraduate business school rankings (Bloomberg/BusinessWeek) have BC ranked 16th and USC ranked 34th. While I place little if any stock in rankings it’s hard to see how USC is more “prestigious” because of their business school. </p>
<p>Try looking at your decision from a different angle. Where do you want to work after graduation? I know that’s pretty far off, but knowing what you know today, do you have any leanings? BC will obviously have a stronger alumni/recruiting network in the Northeast. It will be especially strong in Boston and New York while still having plenty of contacts in Washington. USC will be strongest in California and the West.</p>
<p>Given that you want to pursue international relations you may also want to consider the international flavor of the political science departments at both schools. I don’t know, but I suspect that BC will be more Euro-centric while USC will have more of an Asian and Central American bent. Do a little research into both schools.</p>
<p>While the Jesuit influence is obviously missing at USC, I personally have found the schools to be very similar in academic rigor. Both provide opportunities for a great education in vibrant cities. Both suffer from unfortunate and inaccurate stereotypes (BC as the home of rich, white preppies and USC as the University of Spoiled Children). Both cost a lot of money. You have a difficult but enviable decision to make. Enjoy it.</p>
<p>Vince did a good job giving you something to consider. But I might add, rankings depends on the ranker. ‘SC is in the top 10 of USNews’ undergrad biz ranking, so it does have some national rep. But, as vince notes, all undergrad b-schools are primarily regional. I’ve posed on other threads that IMO, Wharton is the only true national undergrad biz program. The other program that provides the ‘wow’ factor is MIT, but that is bcos of MIT – Sloan just goes along for the ride. :)</p>
<p>Couple other considerations:</p>
<p>$$. 'SC thrives on rankings and in pumping $$ into whatever will help it in that regard. I would guess, and it’s only a guess, that 'SC spends more per student. And over time, 'SC will slowly continue its rankings climb, so its parchment paper maybe worth more later. </p>
<p>size - 'SC is ~50% larger.</p>
<p>urban vs. suburban. Four years of on campus housing vs. neighboring apartments in South Central LA.</p>
<p>Core curriculum vs. GE’s</p>
<p>Diversity – 'SC is 18% URM & 24% Asian. BC is 13% and 9%, respectively.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great, thoughtful responses. I am more interested in European and African studies than Asian, but I hope to go to graduate school at Tufts or Georgetown, so I thought I might get what I am looking for there. Would either of these schools be more beneficial for getting into grad school? I wouldn’t think so.</p>
<p>I was in the same position, picked BC, and have gone on to work in LA for the summer. </p>
<p>I found that BC put more emphasis on learning for the sake of learning, whereas USC seemed more like a career factory. BC also has the feel of a small school whereas I felt that USC, while only having 15K undergrads, felt the same as UCLA or any other large state school. USC’s social life is pretty dominated by greek life, so that is something else to consider.</p>
<p>Did you get your summer work in LA through BC?</p>
<p>[International</a> Business | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-international]International”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-international)</p>
<p>Click the link above.</p>
<p>Just want to point out that the OP is NOT a biz student, but wants to study International Relations. The International Studies program at BC requires you to apply at the start of your sophomore year, but the poli sci department offers a wealth of classes that would be found in an IR department at other schools. </p>
<p>@Lenny2, yes I did.</p>
<p>My D, a junior BC Accounting major in CSOM, also got her summer internship in CA. She interviewed in Boston and then they referred her to regional offices in San Jose CA, her first choice place to work. She had CA offers from 3 different Big 4 firms. I know Accounting is a hot major but, as far as I’m concerned, they can do no wrong!</p>
<p>If S3X on top of buildings is your thing, choose USC.</p>
<p>Go pick USC!</p>
<p>11starbuck, I think your bias is well known. Try to be neutral.</p>