<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. Also Ithaca, NY is a 4 1/2 hour drive away from NYC, so I couldn't really intern in NYC or a city while in school. 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>
<p>Is it better to go to a university with a higher overall ranking, or a university with a very highly ranked program in the major/program of study you are seeking, but a lower overall ranking? Does this really make a difference to employers? I was admitted to Cornell, which has a national ranking of 15, and USC (University of Sothern California) which has a national ranking of 24. My major is communications, and USC’s Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism is ranked number 5 in the nation, whereas Cornell has communication as a major within the CALS school and does not have a separate school for communication, and Cornell is in the top 10 for communication, so USC is actually ranked higher than Cornell for its communication program.
Does this a highly ranked program really even matter or make a difference to employers, or is the overall university reputation and ranking more important?</p>
<p>I don’t have figures to back up this statement, but I believe that employers would prefer to hire a graduate of a college who has a highly ranked communications program.</p>
<p>Rankings are biased and oftentimes bogus. Employers don’t follow them. They do care about the quality of the program you attended. Annenberg has a much stronger reputation for journalism/communications.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear you are questioning if you made the right choice. You say you don’t like LA and are concerned about the high cost of living. One of the reasons you choose USC was because you’re interested in the entertainment industry which LA is well known for. You’ve only been on campus for a short time. Are you absolutely sure you don’t want to go to school and eventually work in LA? If your goal is to work in the entertainment industry, USC would be a better choice than Cornell.</p>
<p>You’re only a first semester freshman. You’re still trying to figure things out. That’s perfectly normal. You’re allowed to change your mind. There is no shame in that. Just don’t rush into any decisions without thinking them through.</p>
<p>Just my opinion, but you should avoid going into too much student debt. The average starting salary for a communications major is $48,000. This is less than a nurse and slightly higher than a teacher.</p>
<p>Well, you have started 3 threads with basically the same question in them, so this must be very concerning to you, so I’ll take a shot.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, the environments of USC, UW, and Cornell are vastly different. USC is so urban, only you know if you could stay in that environment with the relative pros and cons that an urban environment can provide just in terms of appealing to your personality and staying sane. (Living in LA, I would get anxious in a rural area, for instance)</p></li>
<li><p>If you can make any prediction about where in the country you would want to work, then it would make your decision easier. The ranks of USNWR and comm schools are fairly close between these 2 schools that they can just be considered “in the same tier” or relatively equal. Living in CA, I’ve known maybe 3 people who graduated from Cornell and hundreds who attended USC. It’ll be the same way with employers. So if you plan on living on west coast, pick USC. But if you think you would live on east coast, then pick Cornell because most people/connections on east coast would know about cornell over USC. </p></li>
<li><p>If your biggest concern is money, then pick Cornell. Again, these schools are basically the same tier</p></li>
<li><p>Lastly, CC is filled with students who are upset and want to transfer out during their first year at a new college. The majority of advice on those threads is to stick it out for a year.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I agree with above posters AND if you decide to go to graduate school the highly ranked department will have better connections and a better reputation in your major.</p>
<p>My son turned down Chicago to go to Pitt. Large difference in university rankings but Pitt was ranked significantly higher in his major. Not only did he get great money, the contacts, support, mentorship and connections he made in his department and for grad schools was WELL worth it.</p>
<p>OH Please! Both Cornell and USC are highly regarded schools. Either one would be fine. If you have some desire to graduate from an Ivy, then Cornell an excellent school) would be your choice. If you think you might land in CA for a job, you might want to consider USC for the location and connections.</p>
<p>The big question…will Cornell even accept you a second time…as a transfer?</p>
<p>Cornell is a fabulous school…but as you note, it is a long way from any major metro area. If being near or in a major metro area while in college is important to you, you might not like Cornell either. That being said…Cornell likely has internship and job recruiting for things in metro areas.</p>
<p>I think you need to think this through before you transfer…again.</p>
<p>Which has more days of sun? (Vitamin D is associated with better overall performance.)</p>
<p>My gf’s DD just graduated Cornell with a degree in Communications (undergrad) and landed a job in SF. It’s not LA but…</p>
<p>You may not get the same aid from Cornell now that you were offered then so the entire situation may be moot. Most hiring is regional and you may find more affordable internship opportunities and experiences during your college years in LA than having to find and afford a place to live while doing an internship in NYC. Personally at this point in your life I’d tell you to settle down where you are and get it done and stop speculating about the “what ifs”…you don’t have to live in LA after you graduate.</p>
<p>I don’t think it will make much difference in the long run which one is attended. Communications/Journalism starting jobs offers are going to be based more on your work experiences and you as an individual in your interviews than on which J school is attended.</p>
<p>As a junior transfer, you only have one more year to go. What’s the point of transferring right now?</p>
<p>^^Exactly, couldn’t agree more.</p>
<p>Oldfort is correct. Most schools will want you to complete two full years at THEIR school in order to get a degree. Stay put, and make the most out of your remaining time in undergrad school. You are going to a terrific school…you need to look at the positives instead of focusing on the negatives.</p>
<p>You are a junior, a year away from graduation. What is your objective in “communications” and entertainment? Do you want online or broadcast journalism, marketing, public relations, what? I am a journalist and I can tell you that Annenberg has a great reputation and program and a strong network throughout the country to assist grads in obtaining jobs in that field. I am also a USC parent though my kid is not at Annenberg (and is definitely not rich). What does Cornell offer in the way of training, internships and job placement in communications, especially if you are coming in as a senior without connections or relationships with teachers and administrators?</p>
<p>Part of the problem with USC may be coming in as a junior, a transfer and in the spring. Give it a little more time to grow on you. In the meantime, to save money can you ditch the car? My son at USC went without a car for two years and finally took our old beater out there because he needed it to go on film shoots but it significantly increased his expenses. His friends still take buses to their off-campus jobs.</p>
<p>Maybe focus on finding a summer internship during this last summer of college and making it work rather than brooding over choices.</p>
<p>I agree with middleoftheroad</p>
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<p>I think you are splitting hairs. You will need more gumption and initiative at Cornell, since it’s in a rural area so getting informational interviews with potential employers will be less convenient for you. You will need less gumption at USC-- you’ll be surrounded by many aspects of the media business ranging from huge to tiny-- but you will have more competition since LA is a magnet for people wanting to “launch” in media and entertainment.</p>
<p>Both are fine programs, and you will likely need to be aggressive in getting your foot in the door regardless of where you study. Nobody is going to hand you a job at a major network or publication- so focus on doing well, making contacts, impressing your professors, and volunteering for student publications or other ways to get experience. Employers will want to see “clips” (whether printed, digital, or other work samples) so the more opportunities you have to write, publish, produce, direct, etc. the better.</p>
<p>Two great programs.</p>
<p>You are there, and you only have a year to go. Stay put.</p>