<p>I was admitted for spring semester as an undergrad junior transfer student to USC (University of Southern California) Annenberg School of Communications, and I was also admitted to Cornell CALS for a communication major, and also was admitted to University of Washington. I am from Washington State, and I had about a month and a half to make the decision where I was going to attend for spring. I also was unable to visit any of the universities (although I've seen UW many times), since I was working full time, unable to get time off work, and did not have the money to buy a plane ticket to see the out of state schools in person. Ultimately, after doing online tours and talking to friends who were alumni or students of the universities or had visited the universities, I chose USC, since the Annenberg School of Communication is ranked in the top 5 for communications programs in the country, even though USC is not an ivy league, and also because I am interested in the entertainment industry and LA is supposedly the place to be for that, and also because the sunny LA weather seemed like a nice change to the daily Seattle rain.
However, I am regretting my choice. USC was actually the most expensive option for me, the cheapest would have been Cornell, the ivy league, which was offering me almost a full ride, except for 8k for the year in living expenses. I chose not to attend Cornell at the time due to reports from people who had visited that said Cornell was work, work, work and snow and no fun. Now I'm regretting I didn't go to an ivy league at almost a full ride and reconsidering.
The cost on paper for both UW and USC was the same for me (although in reality the cost of living in LA and USC in general is way more expensive), I have to pay $9500 a semester in loans (so 19k a year). I had heard glowing reports about USC from one of my best friends, who is an alumni. However, in reality I realize I don't like LA (I had never been to LA before I came and I had always wanted to go to LA), I'm starting to get worried about being able to afford the high cost of living in LA since I am paying for my own college and have to work, the high tuition and hidden fees of USC (USC sticker price is $60k a year and it is definitely a for profit institution with lots of hidden fees, like $400 a semester parking), the students are mostly rich kids, and USC is not an ivy league, although it is highly reputable in the LA area and has a very good alumni network.
Do you think I should reapply to Cornell? I'm mainly concerned if a degree from USC Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism will get me the same amount and quality of jobs as a Degree from Cornell. Keep in mind I have to get a job when I graduate as I have to support myself.</p>