<p>USC - Trustee Scholarship plus $2500 a year
Brown - Cost $20k first year, prob about $35-40k the next three years</p>
<p>The first year at Brown isn't a problem, but the subsequent years really is. I really don't know what to do because I feel so honored about Brown and I can't imagine turning it down, but its so expensive. I live in NY, so it would be even more of a change to go to USC, if I did. Can anyone offer any advice - I'm really torn.</p>
<p>did you call the fin aid folks at brown?</p>
<p>I actually spoke with them briefly the other day, in person. I have an older brother who will be in his senior year next year, when I'm a freshman, which is why I have more finaid the first year. They said the finaid in the package they gave me for my first year would most likely double for the next year. She did say though that whatever loans my parents had taken out and maxed out on could help increase the finaid, but it probably wouldn't be substantial. What should I do? Is it worth it to be drowning in student loans to get the Brown degree? Or is it better to take the money and enjoy the sunshine in LA?</p>
<p>major is really important in this case.
I was in a similar situation, deciding between Cornell and USC, but ultimately it was USC because my major is def. stronger at SC, plus I got presidential + $3500 per year, and when I did accepted student visit days, USC actually made it seem like they care about you whereas Cornell's made them seem like they didn't give a crap.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure what I want to study...I'm thinking of Neuroscience and Studio Art, but I may make my own major combining the two with the addition of linguistics. I don't think any of that is significantly better at one school vs the other. However, Brown is right by RISD, where you can take classes, which is awesome. When I did accepted students days at Brown and USC, both schools seemed interested in the students as people. There were admissions counselors at Brown who introduced themselves to the students and remembered the students and reminsced with them about what the students had done. That was really impressive.</p>
<p>Are you familiar with the Renaissance Scholar award? If you major in 2 widely separated fields of study, you can apply to be a Renaissance Scholar. Winners are awarded a $10,000 prize at graduation. </p>
<p>USC is a great school, and I think you would appreciate the weather when your friends are suffering through winter! However, think about the possibility that if you major in Neuroscience it may be difficult to receive the GPA required to retain your scholarship.</p>
<p>Then again, if you are interested in Neuroscience, you should find it fascinating enough to inspire the hard work that will keep your grades up. I am a theatre major who took a neuroscience this past semester as an elective "just for fun" and it managed to pique my curiosity enough so that I ended up with a 98% in the class. As long as you're willing to put in the work, you can make your grades work for you. If you're thinking of combining it with a major in studio art, I think that's really cool. One thing you should consider, though, is the intensity of the studio art program at USC. A lot of my friends (majoring in Studio Art) are perpetually working on several projects at a time, keeping them up into the wee hours of the night. As long as you have the passion, though, you'll succeed at USC. We're very good about inspiring students to be the catalysts of their own success.</p>