<p>I just got accepted to U. Southern California today...completely unexpected. I am 90% sure I am going to Carnegie Mellon, but what are your thoughts on USC? I will be doing architecture.</p>
<p>USC has a fabulous architecture program, many majors and minors. I have seen both schools. The big difference is USC is in LA with wonderful weather and CMU is in Pittsburgh-very humid in the summer and the weather is not great. I don't know how the two programs compare in rank. Also, you may see a difference in bottom line cost depending upon what kind of scholarship/financial aid you could be seeking, not knowing your situation. Another thing, I don't know if you are a boy or girl--there are more guys at CMU which might make it harder for a guy to find a girl friend at CMU. USC has a fantastic alumni network, but i hear that CMU is also very good for jobs.</p>
<p>I've heard it said that USC has a great alumni network, but that its strength outside of SoCal is quite limited. There are tons of tech employers that love CMU grads, but I have no idea what it's like to search for a job with an architecture degree. Both CMU and USC have very compact campuses... there is probably more 'stuff you would want to do' right near CMU's campus. USC probably has more partying, and definitely has more school spirit than CMU.</p>
<p>Columbia thought pretty highly of USC 30 years ago. They were almost the only school whose undergrads were given credit for a year if they entered the masters program.</p>