<p>Hi everyone! I've received a likely letter at Cornell Engineering (Computer Science), and just found out I am a Trustee Scholar at USC (full tuition). I will probably have to pay ticket price at Cornell. From what I understand, Cornell has one of the strongest engineering departments in the Ivy league and offers a lot of opportunity, though I know USC also has a great department. I have visited USC and loved it, but haven't been able to visit Cornell.</p>
<p>I've heard a lot of people saying to go to USC because it is much less expensive & still a wonderful education, but is there anyone that would say that Cornell is worth it over USC full tuition? I am so grateful to be having this happy decision. Thank you. :) </p>
<p>Congrats on receiving the USC Trustee scholarship! That’s awesome. Most people would take that over full pay anywhere. As for wealthy families where 200k is a drop in the bucket, then it depends where you think you would thrive the most. And you’d probably have visit to make that determination for yourself.Good luck :)</p>
<p>Thank you @Renomamma! I’m definitely leaning towards USC right now because of that price issue, but just wanted to consider everything, especially since Cornell is… well Cornell. :)</p>
<p>Take USC full tuition over Cornell. You can go to Cornell or other top schools for grad school.
I would choose over USC only for Berkeley, Stanford, MIT. </p>
<p>Berkeley and Stanford are top 3 engineering school in US. Other schools are 2nd tier to them. I’m assuming Berkeley you’ll get in-state tuition ,which would be cheap. Stanford and Berkeley are close to Silicon Valley for easy internships, interviews, or visits. MIT just has the wow factor that opens many more doors, including if you want to do consulting, finance, get funding for startups.</p>
<p>@Latuza Ah I see! Thank you! Yes, I would get in-state at Cal (I have yet to hear back from them though, fingers crossed!!) I have heard, however, that for Berkeley undergrad, it is very competitive (cheating), easy to get lost in, and that it is difficult to get classes without regents (which I wouldn’t have). Do you know if this is true/what is your perspective?</p>
<p>I went to Cal right before the financial crisis. It is competitive but I haven’t experienced cheating. i mean the test questions are what professors made up and how do u know the person’s answers next to you are correct? Also you get a reference/helpsheets you wrote up for the tests in most classes anyway, so the tests tested your deductive reasoning and subject familiarity, not regurgitation anyway. So then rely on your own reasoning, and there’s no reason to cheat. Engineering students are definitely smarter, so harder to beat the class averages in engineering classes.</p>
<p>The lectures are large but the discussion sections are small. It is easy to get lost, so better go to TA office hours or find a study group. I used Decal classes (student-run classes for credit, pass/fail) to stay full-time while lightening my courseload.</p>
<p>After the financial crisis I have heard classes are cut and it is hard to register for classes. Hopefully the fundraising efforts the last few years have alleviated the problem. I don’t think the problem is so serious that you can’t graduate in 4 years though. But all popular classes at most undergrads get filled quickly. It helps if you have lots of AP credits so you register at a grade level up (sophomore register earlier than freshman).</p>
<p>The get lost in the crowd issue is probably the same at all large undergrads. Small liberal arts or super expensive private schools are the only ones that provide small classes and closer attention with professors. </p>
<p>Also Berkeley has webcast of lectures (for many classes), so it’s easy to not even go to class and/or rewatch lectures.</p>
<p>@Latuza Oh ok! Thanks for the insider perspective & explanation. If I get in, I’ll really have to consider Cal then Only in a short week I’ll know if I need to make that huge decision. Thank you!</p>
<p>I’m struggling with a similar situation…Berkeley Regents vs. USC Full…I heard that Trustee doesn’t cover room and board, and that you still have to pay like 15 K per year…so I’m leaning towards Berkeley</p>
<p>I would go with Berkeley, stronger academics. I feel privates are more worth it if you have small classes for more personal attention with professors, but then USC is a large school, so no advantage there. Also an expensive private will always have some unforeseeable cost. I would feel safer with Berkeley Regents/full ride. 15k/year is a lot of money.</p>
<p>@aapiringStudent - I know for sure that the USC Trustee Scholarship is tuition only and room and board is still on you. If the Berkeley Regents scholarship includes room and board, then it’s a no brainer. Go there and don’t look back. Congratulations!</p>
<p>@coolbeans1 - Congratulations on your options too! I can appreciate your position. I’m a graduate of the USC school of electrical engineering and am pleased with the opportunities that have come my way due to my degree. My son was accepted to both USC and Cornell for architecture. He was offered a 1/2 scholarship to attend USC, but after visiting and consulting with us parents, he chose Cornell. Cornell is super impressive, but had USC offered a full tuition scholarship, I’m pretty sure he’d be at USC instead. If college tuition is more than a blip on your family’s financial radar, USC is the way to go. </p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your input! Between Cornell and USC, I can see that USC is definitely the suggested option. I was not accepted to Berkeley, but congratulations @AspiringStudent for regents! That’s amazing I was, however, accepted to CMU’s CS program. What would you lovely folks say about CMU CS vs. USC Trustee + 5k stipend (I just found out I got 5k extra (: )? Thank you! </p>
<p>CMU CS is the best but I don’t think it’s worth 40k+ a year for 4 years. You can consider CMU CS if you only take out loans for 10k/year and won’t have debt for more than 40k when you graduate.</p>
<p>But really, financial freedom with no debt is one of the best kinds of freedom. Invest money you saved and let the money multiply through compounding effect.</p>
Only in a short week I’ll know if I need to make that huge decision. Thank you!</p>