<p>I know everyone here has enough on their own plates with senior year and such, but I’m looking for some advice…</p>
<p>I recently was accepted to USC’s Resident Honors Program, which would mean I would start classes there in the fall and forego my senior year. Additionally, with my financial aid I think I’m going to get enough money to make it look very appealing for my family, and am already guaranteed some. My family likes the football team, Southern Cal, and the “quintessential” college feel there. </p>
<p>However, Brown is, and always has been, my dream school. If I went next year I don’t want to think that I would’ve missed out on something that I’ve really wanted for a long time…Of course, transferring after freshman year is always an option but I would lose a lot of chances for money/scholarships/etc. that I would really need.</p>
<p>I know ultimately I will have to make this decision, but I was just wondering what future/current Brown students themselves thought. So what do you say? Too good to pass up, or should I take the crap-shoot college admissions gamble next year? </p>
<p>Thanks so much and best of luck to all of the applicants this year :)</p>
<p>In my opinion, you could be giving up a sure thing for a not so sure chance at Brown. That may be worth it but in that scenario, the choice is not really USC vs. Brown but USC vs. a list of schools next year with an unknown result. It may be worth giving up USC if you aren't sure about it or want more choices. It is not worth giving up USC if you simply want to go to Brown as that is not a given. I think one factor should be how much you like USC and if you'd be happy attending. If you feel real sure you love USC, then go for it. Evaluate going there on its own merits and not against an unknown outcome. If USC meets your criteria and you'd be happy there, then go with it. If you feel some uncertainty and want to wait until you have more choices, then you should wait. So, evaluate going to USC in and of itself because your choice right now is between a sure thing and an unknown. If the sure thing is a place you feel real certain about anyway, then go with it. But if you would prefer to have options and are not ready to commit to USC, leave the options open. </p>
<p>By the way, I have a daughter who graduated high school after her junior year at age 16 and is now a junior in college. She has NOT regretted it. This was a decision she made and wanted and has been the right one for her. It is not for all people. However, I would not agree that all who graduate high school after junior year regret it. My daughter is having an excellent time at college. She will graduate at age 20. However, her situation was different than yours. She actually graduated high school as a junior and it sounds like you would be entering a special early program at USC. She applied to 8 colleges like any senior applicant would do. So, she had choices. I don't know how you feel about having choices. If you want them, then wait. You could still apply to USC as a senior and see what options you land with. But if you feel real certain about USC now, then go with it.</p>
<p>Also, your decision is not between USC and Brown for another reason. In one scenario you end high school after junior year and in the "applying to Brown" scenario, you do senior year of HS. So, your decision is much more than which college but also what path you plan to take for HS and college next year. I would weigh THAT decision itself.....graduating early or not. In my D's case, the decision to graduate early was not tied to any particular colleges. She entered college like everyone else, though submitted a statement to colleges regarding her rationale for graduating HS early. </p>
<p>Look at every side of the issue. But also remember that Brown is not a sure bet and so decide on graduating early for its own sake or not and on USC for its own sake or not. If you are happy with graduating early and with USC, then go with it. If you want more options or if you want to do senior year of HS, then wait. USC will always be there as an option.</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools? You might want to revisit both schools before you make a decision. Also, don't be in a rush to skip high school - enjoy it. My mother always tells me not to finish so quickly because after I'm done with school I'm going to be entering the workforce. Enjoy being young while you can - that's what my mom always tells me.</p>
<p>Have you actually visited Brown yet? It is very, very different from USC -- in terms of size, location, weather, sports/school spirit, course offerings, etc. Make sure it's really a good fit for you before you make it your "dream school."</p>
<p>And I hate to be a pessimist, but even with top grades/test scores and very impressive ECs, your chances of getting into Brown are very slim since the acceptable rate is roughly 14% You should factor that into your decision as well.</p>
<p>Sorry, I should've been more clear. I know it's not Brown vs. USC, but just the possibility of other choices like many of you said. I'm going to visit both again (and several others that I like) in the next month or so in order to get a better feel. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Mind you, USC has a reputation and it's got the nickname "University for Spoilt Children"! But if you will be able to help your family out financially, and if you're going to do well anyway, you're likely to find a good job no matter wether you went to Brown or not. Plus, USC is actually a pretty good school. So I say go to USC. If you realllllly don't like it there, just transfer for sophomore year and I'm sure Brown will take you since you are on the Honors program.</p>
<p>I think Brown students are probably wealthier and yes, just as spoiled, on the whole, as USC students. Is Brown nicknamed "university for celebrities' children"? Don't be crass, both are great schools. </p>
<p>I think the USC offer would be too good for me to pass up, but it has to be your decision.</p>
<p>Ah looking back at this thread, I apologize to everyone for being so naive! </p>
<p>I've learned so much about everything in this process over the past couple of days and the more I learn about USC, the more I love it. Thanks for the words of wisdom everyone, and once again, sorry for being so ignorant about the process.</p>
<p>This advice is easy to give when one does not need to be responsible for the financial burden of a decision. $60k/year is A LOT of money to at least 95% of the country, and one would be insane not to take costs into account, particularly since colleges are a dime a dozen. They all want unique students, few are unique themselves, Brown certainly does not have too much going for it in the uniqueness department. Sure the open curriculum may look good on paper, but I am sure that it is like teenagers and clothes --- everyone CAN wear whatever they like, but most people end up with the same crap. Groupthink is difficult to avoid, and few manage to do it, the rest just deceive themselves that they can think independently.</p>
<p>Take it from a grayhead that has been through it all --- unless you can name 10 aspects of an academic program that you can get at one, and only one place, there is no such thing as a dream school. The name of the school has very little to do with the quality of education. Sure, a higher level of achievement among peers may push you to work a bit harder, but it will not turn an average student into an outstanding one. Outstanding students are outstanding at the time of admission, the better colleges just get first dibs at them, and then pretty much squander the opportunity</p>
<p>This is a fascinating read, but the stuff relevant to this discussion is on page 3</p>
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For most students, though, the general rule seems to be that if you are a hardworking and intelligent person you’ll end up doing well regardless of where you went to school.
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<p>Read that again, it is the best advice about college one can get, and it is free</p>