Duke vs. USC Trustee

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hey guys! I would like some help making this decision; I know it'll be a tough one and I would love as much input as possible! I was admitted to Duke yesterday, and I'm really excited. I also got accepted to USC with a Trustee scholarship, meaning all I have to do is pay room, board - that stuff.</p>

<p>Just briefly - I've visited SC for my scholarship interview and stayed there for one of their summer programs. I like the community feel to the school, love how there's a lot to do right outside of campus, like the blend of students/diverstiy, good food, okay dorms, yeah.. I'm not too much into the party scene, but I'm not too against it either - kinda neutral there. As of now I plan on pursuing an economics degree while doing pre-med (though, of course, everything is still up in the air for me...not too certain about premed) Not sure what much else to say right here, so I'll just list what I see in each school. I'm decently well-off if finances must be considered.</p>

<p>Duke (will be going to one of the Blue Devil Days dates)
-no financial aid yet, and may not get any (I'm decently well off)
-prestige (I know I shouldn't factor this in too much, but I guess it's a plus)
-great economics program (I believe)
-great pre-med related programs, such as Cardeas Fellows Program
-over 90% pre-med to med school acceptance rate if I recall correctly
-far from home (good thing in my opinion)
-would be the ONLY one from my school going to Duke (7 admitted to Duke in school's history, and only 1 has enrolled but is graduating next year)
-Durham....? No idea what it's like yet.
-basketball!</p>

<p>USC Dornsife (decently familiar with this school)
-Trustee scholarship: free tuition
-close to home (good/bad)
-good number of current classmates going (good and bad thing, who knows)
-work hard party hard, but no pressure as I've observed
-Trojan network
-decent (?) economics program
-Next to Los Angeles - opportunities and fun
-football!</p>

<p>That's all I can think of right now... I would greatly appreciate any input on this choice! If any current students could tell me why they love USC, that'd be great as well!</p>

2

<p>If you’re planning on going to grad school, as it seems you are, and considering that those are both very good schools, I would pick the one that might cost you $150,000 less.</p>

<p>Unless there are like 20 people from your high school going to USC, don’t worry about that… there are about 10 people from my high school at USC and I run in to one of them once or twice a semester, tops. They don’t have to be a part of your experience.</p>

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<p>My school’s quite the feeder for USC. In fact, I believe we’re the most represented high school at USC - well over 100 at least, if that’s of any importance. Thank you for your input though!</p>