<p>I've narrowed down my choices to Dartmouth and USC Marshall. I was offered a Mork Family merit scholarship at USC, which covers full-tuition plus $5000 cost-of-living stipend all four years.</p>
<p>In contrast, I received no financial aid at Dartmouth. Attending is not a huge financial burden, although money is still a moderate concern...because I don't want to drop $200K on an Ivy diploma that I could have gotten with negligible difference at USC on a full-tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>My career aspirations are pretty open-ended right now, although I'm certain that I will pursue something business-related. I also realize that Dartmouth and USC will offer vastly different undergrad experiences: Econ vs. business administration, Hanover vs. LA, cold winters vs. California sunshine, small vs. large school, etc. Personally, I prefer the outdoorsy culture of Dartmouth, but I'm a pretty adaptable person.</p>
<p>Is it worth spending that extra $200K for Dartmouth over USC?</p>
<p>I’ve seen other threads like this on CC and I remember one guy saying that his brother went to an Ivy and it opened tons of doors for him in the business world. Business seems to e a profession where names and prestige do matter. Keep in mind though that in recent years business majors have been popular and I think there were many business majors graduating and not being able to find jobs. I wouldn’t let that discourage me but its something to keep in mind. Also, what if in college you find something that you have a passion for but it doesn’t make as much money as you thought you would make. Your debt from an Ivy League school could start to worry you then. If it were me, I’d take the full scholarship at USC. Having no debt is so freeing. I feel like it would be impressive to grad schools or future employers that you got a full merit scholarship. Every successful business person didn’t go to an Ivy. YOU make your education, not the school. Also, which location would give you better internship opportunities? I’m sure internships are huge in the business world. I would definitely tour both schools if you can and speak to the people in the school of business</p>
<p>^Thank you for the perspectives! You’re right about the prestige factor in business…so wouldn’t that make Dartmouth a better choice over USC? Then again, USC’s location is great for internships…but so is Dartmouth’s D-Plan.</p>
<p>I am fortunate enough to have a family that can readily pay the $200K, so I would not have to take out any loans. This, however, is not to say that we’re rich–only that we’ve lived pretty frugally and saved plenty.</p>
<p>How important is prestige in the business world?</p>
<p>At the risk of repeating myself from another thread, you should see if Dartmouth will come up with something in response to the USC offer. I think the section on the FA letter was “request for review” or something like that. What if Dartmouth offered 33% of tuition, room & board? Would that affect your calculus?</p>
<p>Dartmouth only offers need based financial aid. It will not “match” or grant a financial aid review based on merit scholarships. </p>
<p>USC is an amazing school. Take the scholarship and the stipend. Take advantage of internships and the large alumni network. Debt free is a beautiful thing and you can always look at Tuck for grad school.</p>
<p>I would recommend checking out the thread titled “Ivy League(s) vs. full ride trilemma”. The OP is in a situation very similar to yours with acceptance to an Ivy but a full scholarship at another school and I think he wants to do business also</p>
<p>OP, no one can really answer that for you. It really depends on your family finances and how much you see Dartmouth as a perfect fit vs. USC. Both are wonderful options. D1 is at Dartmouth (we are full pay), but she fell in love with the school, and it was her dream. We are not rich by any means, but with careful money mgmt, we were able to make this dream come true for her (and she passed up some really good scholarships to attend DM). She is 100% obsessed with school (junior) and does not want to graduate. It’s even better than she thought. D2 got into some very prestige schools, but she decided to take a full ride at UMiami (she got the trustee at USC). She never fell in love with one school, and she decided she could get a great education as one of the top students at a good university. You really have 2 great options. If finances are an issue, USC is an easy choice. If your family can make Dartmouth happen (and you think it is worth it), you can make that choice. Either way you will get a good education. It’s really a matter of fit and money. The 2 schools are very, very different, but both are wonderful.</p>
<p>Another factor is that USC reportedly has a very strong alumni network in the business world in Southern California. If that’s where you are interested in living. You may also wish to get an MBA a few years out, and the $$ not spent on your undergraduate degree could be awfully helpful, if your family would be willing.</p>
<p>“Dartmouth only offers need based financial aid. It will not ‘match’ or grant a financial aid review based on merit scholarships.” Sybbie, I realize that is the official line; I don’t see that OP has anything to lose by asking. </p>
<p>OP, not sure where you’re from, but, assuming your family lives in California, you can also ask Dartmouth to take cost of living into account. California incomes can look extremely high, but you can make a case for aid based on net family income after mortgage/property taxes/etc.</p>
<p>Both great schools for business but if the OP is interested in investment banking (bulge bracket) or getting into top-tier consulting (MBB), paying for Dartmouth may be better than USC on scholarship.</p>
<p>First - congratulations on being able to afford Dartmouth!</p>
<p>You should visit both during admitted student days and make decision as to which is better. They are very different so you need to decide where you want to be the next four years.</p>
<p>In terms of prestige it will depend. The most important thing about undergraduate school is your next step. If you plan to get a job, USC will be strong on West coast because of alumni base. You have to remember that hiring manager will be more impressed by what they are familiar with. If you are goimg on to graduate school then it will depend on your major and GPA.</p>
<p>Good luck and post in May have to let us know what you decided</p>
<p>As a person also making a Dartmouth w/ half aid vs. USC w/full (Trustee) scholarship decision, I would advise for you to go to USC. Both alumni networks are extremely strong, but the Trojan Network is vast and will be probably more applicable to various fields of business due to the size of the university, while Dartmouth will be concentrated in the Northeast (albeit in Wall Street). If you are doing business, the amount of money you will save going to USC will be vital for an investments. </p>
<p>On a quality of life outlook, Dartmouth will probably focus on you more as an undergraduate. But the frat life (however inclusive) and drinking will be difficult to disassociate with (unless you are into that type of stuff). USC seems much more laid back. Both are diverse, both have a happy community, and both will probably have rabid fans and lovers of the college en mass. Both have strong business programs. </p>
<p>Then again, I am not in business. My interests are so weird and mixed up.</p>
<p>bearpaws, you should also think about what happens if you decide to go to business school to get your mba. Then you have $200k undergraduate plus whatever you are going to layout on business school. I had a full ride at another school, and chose Dartmouth, and now that I am graduating, I am sorry. I could have received the same education and not had the financial burden that came with it. Stay in warm Cali!!! And congrats, by the way!</p>
<p>Thank you for all the feedback! To clarify, I will not need to take out any loans, as my parents have the money ready to pay. Of course, I plan to repay them upon graduation and once I get a steady job.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how much of a handicap would it be to not have an MBA in the business sector?</p>
<p>Alternatively, if I went to USC and obtained a BS in business administration, would an MBA be repetitive? Would MBA admissions prefer applicants who pursued a liberal arts field in their undergrad years?</p>
<p>I think with MBA admissions you are fine with either school. Lots of applicants go on to get their MBA from both. Whether an MBA is necessary right after undergrad is another thing to consider. Depending on what field you are looking to enter, many students decide not to pursue an MBA, or they choose to work for a couple of years, then pursue their MBA. In some cases, the firm they are working for will even pay for it. Just something to think about.</p>
<p>Of course - I certainly don’t intend to go for an MBA right out of undergrad. (Nor am I certain that I will pursue an MBA to begin with.)</p>
<p>Regardless, I’m worried that perhaps an undergrad business education will not be as valuable as an undergrad degree in economics. I’ve read some older threads on College Confidential where people blasted the undergrad business degree, citing that it undercuts a liberal arts education in favor of “fluff” skills. </p>
<p>Is this belief unfounded? What types of jobs are popular for Econ grads from Dartmouth? (excluding Wall Street)</p>
<p>I would go USC and save the family money now to use for grad school. you might be surprised at the contacts you will make at USC. Wall Street does hire from the West Coast as well.
Just because your parents have the $200,000 to spend and you do not need loans does not make the cost differential moot. Setting aside those funds for the future and grad school is a bonus. USC will not preclude you from getting in a great grad school. You also have a Mork scholarship. I read on an SMU site that rewards often continue to flow to those who have prior rewards and this is something that undoubtedly will come to you as a Mork recipient. tAt USC you are among the elite and will have opportunities beyond a typical student. These opportunities and Mork will serve you well and may in fact be of great benefit for future employment and grad school. You will stand out. Congratulations on your accomplishments and good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Remember a lot of Wall Street firms have a significant presence in LA and San Francisco. Eastdil, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc. You might be surprised at the amount of business and the level of business transpired on the West Coast.</p>