Is anyone else that received one of the USC large Merit scholarships having trouble deciding where to attend?
We loved USC and feel very fortunate that my child received the Trustee Scholarship. Our issue is that my child also received a Stamps Scholarship with full cost of attendance at another school (also with great weather). Premed success into medical school from both schools are likely the same (bioengineering major) . The $80k difference (four year total), if not spent on USC, would then be made available for med school. Does anyone have a feeling whether an award like the Stamps Scholar would elevate status and connections for med school application & acceptance with other things equal (GPA, mcat, research etc) ? In our case, the other school isn’t as highly ranked but has so many similarities to USC.
What first world problems are others struggling with deciding against the USC+large merit award?
First question, are you going to put that $80k difference away in savings in preparation for your child eventually attending med school?
I do find that number kind of high… is that $20k per year for housing, food, etc? I’m not too familiar with what everything the Stamps scholarship offers, to could you explain what makes up this cost difference?
It’s hard to say whether being a Stamps scholar will be viewed as more desirable by med schools. However, it is safe to say that med schools will weigh your child’s accomplishments in undergrad (whatever he or she does during undergrad) more strongly than accomplishments in high school (getting awarded whatever scholarship for undergrad).
If you are happy with both schools and think your child will do well at both, and if you’re willing to kick in the extra money, then perhaps you can put more stock into the less-tangible things that your child has preferences about? What does he or she like better?
What is the name of the other college?
I think that having “Trustee Scholar” -USC at the top of one’s CV is plenty prestigious for grad school applications.
DS was a Trustee Scholar at USC and was accepted into every grad program.
Does the other college have a Med school affiliated with it? USC has the Keck school of Medicine and USC students can easily do lots of research there with USC MD’s/Profs.
“In our case, the other school isn’t as highly ranked but has so many similarities to USC.”
Given that , I think going to USC is the far wiser choice.
@Hawkings @menloparkmom
here are the answers to your questions.
- We have the money already saved so yes, the $20k/yr will remain for Medschool if not spent
- Stamps provides FULL cost of attendance (room, board, fees, books, tuition, computer +$12K in enrichment funds.
Furthermore, it is a network of top talent across the US of ~850 active undergraduates in the program next year with
bi-annual meetings and enrichment. I don’t know how much this will help on CV for Med School vs Trustee.
- Other school is University of Miami and yes has the Miller School of Medicine ( as well as early acceptance after
sophomore year).
- Both schools have remarkable research and internship opportunities
- Both schools have high and rich operating budgets, with UM actually being higher per student (operations). (I don’t this the difference matters much.)
While UM is ranked 51 and USC 23, we feel the academics and resources are much closer, especially for Premed path. If you look closely at USNews rankings, on a personal level you can adjust subweightings to align with your own priorities (breadth of national reputation, reputation affect on selectivity, alumni giving vs operating budget, retention etc)
There was something special about BOTH schools - oscillating daily, we just can’t seem to find the decision.
*Pros Miami - no TAs for break outs, full professor access. Honors program eliminates Core specific reqs. Possible early entry to med school (unless exclusivity required), decent neighborhood + Miami access. $80K less expensive.
*Pros USC - minimal (perceived) better: spirit, weather, campus, student scores . Honors freshman dorm. Pre-professional/gradschool Fraternities. LA access.
Just about everything else is on par with each other.
I am not sure anyone will have an answer for us but might provide something we overlook?
We agree 80K is cheap for USC; but it then comes with 80k more debt for Med school since the alternative is $0 cost.
Ranking references:
US News Criteria Summary: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-criteria-and-weights
USNews Criteria Detail: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-us-news-calculated-the-rankings
I am in almost the same predicament! I got the full tuition Hammond scholarship at UMiami and the Presidential (half) at USC. I’m waiting to hear back about USC fin aid, but am having trouble choosing between the two.
I’m not sure where you got the info for “no TA’s” at breakout of U of M?
According to the U of M Graduate program, TA’"ing is a requirement of grad students.
DS was in the Honors Humanities and Sciences programs and the TA’s do run the labs - it was never a problem.
@nolagirl55 - are UM & USC your final two schools in your decision? Excluding the financial difference, can you share your thoughts on how you compare these two school in your mind? I assume you are from Louisiana by your alias?
@menloparkmom - Barring Labs, I guess I should have more said that there are fewer TA led sessions at UM, whereas at USC various people indicated TAs used for most grading, and weekly break-outs for review/ Q&A where a lot of ‘learning’ goes on. Not a major issue.
All major universities use TAs to help professors manage their teaching responsibilities.
It is part of the responsibilities of being graduate students-many of whom do go on to teach .
My dear son is TAing this quarter at Caltech, where he is a PhD student.
When he was at USC I never heard him complain about the quality or effectiveness of the grad students who TA’d in the classes he took .
I’d say that this is a non issue when it
Comes down to a decision
@menloparkmom - we agree it is not likely an issue. running out of hair to pull out 
Best of luck !
There are no bad options !
Not to sidetrack but in defense of TAs (and non disclosure, mine is one) many have had the math, physics, or bio professor that seems to be teaching to the moon and stars cause they are at such a high level they are almost non-relatable…then queue the TAs who have just gone through the class/materials and have experienced those “what is he/she talking about” moments in class and are much better able to bring it back to the level of the students for solid understanding. With 3 in college and hearing their feedback, I have gone from asking “Do professors do all the teaching?” to asking “Do TAs run the discussions and breakouts?” and thinking it is a positive if they do.
Hopefully nearly all TAs are as good and bring the benefits as you describe.
I will agree that having a good TA is much better (and more common) than having the professor in each discussion section.
What is this $12K in enrichment funds? Are you given this money directly or is it more like a bank account that you can pay for certain extracurriculars with?
Which one does your child have a preference for? What does he or she rate as more important?
Another thing to consider: if your child decides not to go to med school, which university has a wider or better range of options for other majors?
@Hawkwings
All good questions.
The Stamps $12k enrich, Entertaining fund as far as I understand it is like a slush fund for educational related use. This could be programs/courses outside regular admission, research participation for your time committment, or equipment etc.
My child’s major is Biomedical Engineering should medicine not stay in the future. Although I am not sure how much I agree, many people argue that most future compensation is driven by what you do and your major, independent of which university. They say this is especially true for Stem majors. I guess this would argue in favor of UM, along with the again general belief that med schools care more about GPA, mcat, and premed related ECs than where you get your degree from; again arguing for UM.
If money and GPA concern for med school (3.8+) were not a consideration, my child would pick USC for the similar but slightly better vibe and school spirit, honors dorm optoon, and slightly better weather than Miami. Now you see the subtlety in our decision. The schools are ultra similar once you leave the rankings list.
Many people say that borrowing up to one years expected salary is still reasonable for a good education. Should premed not work out (unlikely to. Ot follow in my wife’s physician tracks), nothing will be borrowed. Adding 80k to med school loans will keep total debt right around the 1 year salary for surgeons etc.
I think the coin toss is coming too just to alleviate the stress of delaying the decision without attaining any additional differentiating information despite our efforts.
You have an interesting decision and I thought I’d add more variables to the equation. 
While both universities are located in warmer climes, Miami has the humidity and the bugs. Hehe.
There is a different vibe to USC (Los Angeles and the West Coast have a big stake in high tech, biotech, and entertainment, and there is a vital driving business environment) vs. Miami that may translate to the culture of the students who attend. With large schools of Business and Engineering, USC has a culture that encourages innovative thinking and career-minded students.
But the key decision points you’ve mentioned–cost advantage goes to UMiami. Ability to achieve high gpa–even at both schools. Lifestyle–USC has better weather, larger % of high-stat, work-hard (play-hard) students/peers, great honors program (TO), honors dorms if he wants them.
He can’t make a bad choice.
We have one son who graduated from Univ of Miami in 2015 [industrial engineering] and one at USC now–business school with minor in info systems in engineering school. If money were not an issue, I would recommend USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering over Miami engineering. Our Miami student loved his time there. But the opportunities and quality of teaching at USC are superior, in my opinion. The engineering program at Miami does not have nearly the reputation that USC engineering does. Our Trojan loves each and every minute there. The school spirit is incredible. If I were a young person making this decision, I would select USC over U Miami–financial issues aside.
@cookie16
My child although engineering, is also premeditated where GPA isNE of t each two first filers /criteria med schools use. How would you compare your two sons experience with rigor, chllenge, and grade/GPA success at the two schools?
Good question. My U of Miami/engineering son felt his courses where rigorous throughout, particularly for the first two years burning through the physics, chem and math requirements. The upper class courses in industrial engineering were more reasonable in terms of rigor. “A’s” were a bit hard to come by for him but I can’t say that was due to a curve. For my son majoring in accounting in business school and minoring in info systems in engineering school at USC, he describes his first three semesters at USC as not rigorous. But now that he’s doubling up on accounting and computer classes, he’s swamped. His friends majoring in engineering faced a tough work load from the beginning. My son says the USC curve policy is inconsistent. Depends on individual professor. He’ll say things like in a certain class, no one gets an A. But that’s rare.