So I’ve been accepted to the Marshall (USC) and Tepper (Carnegie Mellon) school of business and I’m wondering if anyone has any insight on which I should choose. Distance is not a problem and the costs are virtually the same (I live in New York). I believe the Tepper school is better academically but I have some concerns about student life at CMU. I’m not looking for a party school necessarily, but I’ve heard the negative rumors about CMU students’ social/party life. I will be visiting both schools later this month but I thought I might look for some insight before I go. Thanks!
I don’t know anything about USC, but my friend’s son is finishing his freshman year at CMU. He plays football, so maybe a little different as he had a kind of built in network. But he’s joined a fraternity and his having fun. He also works very hard - he was a top student at our HS and very quickly realized CMU was going to be a lot more work. But it’s a balance. I personally think any school is kind of what you make it. Good luck!
Congratulations on being accepted to two great schools. I don’t know anything about CMU, but D15 is Jr at USC/Viterbi. Great experience, really brought my introvert out of her shell in a good way. She has done/does volunteer work, Engineering clubs, a dance club, a summer abroad, and is an officer in a sorority. This summer she and most of her friends have great internships. Academics are challenging. USC has a professional vibe, but it’s not unusual to see kids in suits long boarding across campus, so it’s relaxed too. One thing that would be different is sports, esp. football. Game days are super fun. Not everyone attends, but there is a huge school spirit. Let us know how your visits go!
Last year I wrote to this board with queries about the social life at CMU re: my son who was admitted, and did not hear much back. Now he is a freshman there, and he seems to socialize a lot more than I did as a freshman at University of Michigan. On the other hand, he is probably a more outgoing person than I was. My point is that there are plenty of opportunities to go to parties, shows and social events at CMU, but here are also, at any school, people who prefer quieter activities. My son says about half the people at CMU are of the introverted, nerdy type. But then, there is another half who are not.
Both great but different vibe to each. Not sure what feels more comfortable for you.
Did hear an interesting fact today. USC has the 4th most billionaire grads of any school in US. They must be doing something right
And flip flops and shorts year round at one vs the other.
See how you feel when you visit. Talk to
students at each school.
Both are great schools with strong alumni networks. Yes, the weather is different. Sports are different.
@SweetOrca7, do you know if you would plan to stay on the West Coast or return to the NY area? Of course one can always change one’s mind, but if returning to the East Coast/NY, I would lean CMU for a business degree. Marshall is mostly known regionally in Southern Cal. If you are top of your class at USC, you might gain traction outside of California in the U.S. Marshall has good connections in Asia as well. That being said, consider the fit as well. If you don’t think you’d be as happy at CMU or fit in socially, an argument can be made to go with USC. USC is likely going to be more fun and possibly less academically challenging in some regards, as compared with the student body at CMU.
USC is a very high regarded school. Congrats on your acceptances!!