<p>I'm struggling to make a decision between UO and USD. As an Oregon resident I'd like to flee the nest so to speak so USD is favorable in that regard. I'll be a business major and I know that USD is ranked significantly higher than UO.
On the other hand money is rather important and I would likely have to take out a loan to attend USD (~20k over the 4 years).</p>
<p>UO - 25k
-5k summit scholarship
-2k enhancement award (available for the first year only)</p>
<p>These are such different schools…do you have any preferences as to size, religious affiliation, climate, etc. This is certainly apples and oranges…</p>
<p>I’m catholic, would love to live in the sun, going into my college search I thought I wanted a larger school and that may be still the case. However, I would like to make the connections offered by a more elite private school too.</p>
<p>We have both those schools on our list also. If ‘leaving the nest’ is important to you, then I would definitely choose USD. We are also impressed by the percentage that study abroad for a semester and that ‘its accepted that almost every one does it’. You will love the sunshine! What is leaning us towards Oregon is the school spirit and major athletics (as a spectator).</p>
<p>Edited to add -
Keep in mind that where you go to school is where you might end up living! The companies that will be recruiting you for jobs are generally in that area.</p>
<p>Right, that is worth taking into consideration. I appreciate the response. Do you happen to be an out of state student? If so, how do you justify the cost?</p>
<p>I agree that the schools are very different. The entering class at Oregon has over 5000 students, where USD has about 1100. All of the classes at USD will be very small (usually 20-25 students) and they are only taught by professors, never grad students. The amazing faculty are truly passionate about teaching undergrads, and undergrads have internship opportunities early on because there are no grad students “taking those spots”. I have 2 sons in the USD Honors program, and it is amazing how much personal attention the students get, with 1 on 1 office hours by the faculty if the students need extra help. Since you are offered the Trustee scholarship, often that comes with an invitation to apply to the Honors program. Take advantage of the opportunity-- the Honors program and the Honors living learning community (LLC) are full of high achieving students from all over the US, so it is a great environment where the students collaborate, study together and genuinely care about one another’s success and happiness. Of course the San Diego weather is beautiful, and the students all seem very happy! Though you are unable to visit again, if you are looking for a school which really cares about it’s students, fosters an environment for academic success and personal enrichment, guaranteed semester abroad opportunities, early internships and direct faculty mentorships, then it would be difficult finding a school that parallels USD. Good luck!</p>