<p>I need some info and help deciding between Columbia, Penn and USC. </p>
<p>I got accepted to all three and I really don't know which will be the best choice.
I'm got into the IR program at Penn and SC, and the PoliSci program at CU. I'm transferring from a cc in Seattle, so I'm coming in as a Junior.
I know all three schools have great education, but there are so many other factors to take into consideration.</p>
<p>here's what I think so far- the ivy leagues have the label going for them, but even between the two i guess CU has a better reputation?
I love the campus at Penn and i haven't been to CU before but ive been to NYC many times.
SC has a very tight alumni network that would be excellent post graduation (if i decide to stay in LA?... or generally nation wide?)
I also got a full ride at SC, haven't heard from CU but I hear it's not very generous, and Penn seems to generally meet financial need- but I will find out soon.</p>
<p>So... I could really use opinions and advice regarding all three schools. I want to continue to law school so I know being in a competitive environment would be beneficial, but only to a certain extent.</p>
<p>any info/ideas/opinions/stories would help!...</p>
<p>This is a very easy question to answer…</p>
<p>…USC is better than all of the other schoools combined. Imagine Superman trying to defeat Shaq. While it is true that Shaq is regarded as “Superman” he would pale in comparison to the real super hero. The same holds true in the comparison between USC and Columbia and Penn. USC is majestic and magical. USC is timeless and remarkable. The other schools are inferior in every way. I can’t imagine going to such garbage universities. Garbage is meant for the dumpster, I prefer to graduate fresh and clean. A dumpster is a terrible way to get ahead in life. So why go to the equivalent of a trash can school? Screw the Ivy League mumbo jumbo and go to Los Angeles to get down with your bad self. A BOW CHICA BOW WOW.</p>
<p>Waddup is a walking ad for a reason to NOT go to USC LOL. I’m sure others will soon give you some real advice.</p>
<p>Hmmmmmmm I don’t know. I’ll present my biases up front: I’m a Penn senior graduating on Monday, and a good friend of mine majored in IR. I guess the way I’ve always thought of it is that if you want to study IR, it is best to be close to DC (Georgetown probably has one of the best programs). Penn and Columbia are probably very comparable, and I can’t imagine that there are significant advantages to one school over the other; it’s just a question of whether you prefer New York or Philly, smaller school or bigger school, etc.</p>
<p>Congrats on the full ride at USC, that’s pretty awesome. Is that merit or need-based aid? If it is need-based, I assume that the ivies have some of the best financial aid and will probably match USC. If it is merit-based, the general policy at most top schools (excluding perhaps Duke, WashU, and a few others) is that “everyone we admit is so awesome, it would be unfair to try to give merit-based aid” and Columbia/Penn probably wouldn’t match it.</p>
<p>I think both Penn and Columbia have big alumni networks in all the major east coast and west coast cities. For example, the PennClub in LA ([PennClub</a> Los Angeles](<a href=“http://www.pennclubla.com/]PennClub”>http://www.pennclubla.com/)) has over 9,000 alumni in LA. So if networking is a big deal to you, the ivy league name will carry weight all over the country, not just the northeast.</p>
<p>I don’t know, after making this decision twice (undergrad and just recently grad school for next year), I’m a big proponent of going with your gut. If you’re big on school spirit and football, if you think you would like living in Pasadena, or if money is a big concern for you, go to USC. If you would be able to afford the Ivy and would be excited about spending a few years on the east coast, go for Penn or Columbia. Obviously I think Penn is one of the greatest places on earth, and we would be thrilled to have you as a quaker. It is becoming an increasing trend to take time off before law school and gain work experience, but of my few friends that are going straight to law school next year, almost all of them are going to top 20’s (including 3 Harvard). But I’m sure Columbia would provide you with the same options.</p>
<p>Haha, okay, I tried to be as unbiased as possible…</p>
<p>how is this turning out? I’d love to hear!</p>
<p>Honestly, you got into some very good universities. Go to wherever gives you the most money. Its not worth it to graduate with a lot of debt or even with any debt at Columbia or Penn if you have a full ride to USC. Or even if it was vice versa.</p>