<p>I received the Presidential Scholarship at USC among another small award, and no sort of merit aid or financial aid at Duke. While I know that they're both good schools, from what I've read and heard, it seems Duke has an edge academically. Knowing that I'll have to take out substantial loans to be able to afford Duke on top of what my parents can pay, is it worth it to do so? Will Duke give me opportunities after graduating that USC can't?</p>
<p>You need to investigate the programs you would be majoring in to make any sort of qualitative judgment between any two universities. What is your major? Where do you want to live and work after college? Do you plan to attend grad school?</p>
<p>I’ll be an international relations major, but really have no idea where I plan to live after college. I know I’ll be attending graduate school, and it would be nice to not already have debt to pay off before going into graduate school. I’m a little hesitant to commit to USC because, while I am aware of the strong Trojan network and USC’s reputation, I’m afraid it’s centered in the West Coast, whereas Duke seems to be well-known and respected across the country. However, I’m not entirely sure if this difference justifies paying an extra $100,000+ for an undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>We have similar questions about Duke v USC. Our son is interested in media arts, film, music, theater, and so USC seems to have more programs in those areas across music, cinematic arts and theater schools. Does the USC network in field of entertainment plus USC specialized training in performing arts and media trump a Duke education for someone who wants to work in entertainment/media? Students at Duke perceived by many to be of a higher caliber overall (at least here on the East Coast). How to evaluate the quality of education as well as the access to professional networks after graduation? And is the network for USC mostly in LA or does it extend to east coast entertainment/media? Can anyone on here compare the students at both schools?</p>
<p>Duke has a lot of alumni in the arts, entertainment, and TV actually as well as a study abroad program in LA and NYC designed to allow students to network and gain connections in the field.</p>
<p>[Duke</a> Study Abroad : Duke in Los Angeles](<a href=“http://studyabroad.duke.edu/home/programs/semester/duke_in_la]Duke”>http://studyabroad.duke.edu/home/programs/semester/duke_in_la)
[DUKE</a> IN NEW YORK: FALL ARTS & MEDIA - SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN THE CITY](<a href=“http://dukeinny.english.duke.edu/]DUKE”>http://dukeinny.english.duke.edu/)</p>
<p>I’m sure USC has some great networking opportunities though I’m not sure if they extend to NYC.</p>
<p>My D wants to major in psychology… Which school has a better program?</p>
<p>USC has a large alumni group in NYC. I was a member before moving to Georgia. It is so strong they put on the “Tommy Awards” each year. Kevin Mambo starred last year along with other well know SC alumni in the arts.</p>
<p>The club earned enough to provide about 30 scholarships for SC bound New York freshmen.</p>
<p>For entertainment, music, theatre and cinematic arts SC provides a top notch education. Also, the Annenberg School is highly respected in the field of broadcast journalism.</p>
<p>The Trojan family extends around the world.</p>
<p>My sons are both at USC and both have entertainment based majors. S1 is in the SCA as a game design major, and S2 is also in SCA and double majoring in Theatre. I’ve worked in television as a writer, and among my peers in this industry, I have noticed many are trying to send our kids to USC. My sons turned down higher ranked universities including Duke, WashU, Brown and Berkeley, because those great schools were not the best fits for their creative fields. They are all wonderful schools, but for entertainment fields–from business to acting-- the strongest programs/majors are at USC. You already know USC’s film school, music school and theatre schools are at the very top, and there’s a reason. The Hollywood industry supports these programs. Leaders in these fields, from entertainment lawyers, to music producers, to top talent agents, to directors, story editors, and stars come to campus to speak on panels almost every day. Recently Disney animation, for instance, held a private screening for 'SC students of an upcoming film with the film’s director, producers and other top filmmakers there to answer questions. One night S2 went to a meeting of Production Designers and walked out with the business card of the designer on one of his favorite HBO series. These opportunities come across the board. Students in the Marching Band get to perform in music videos and on the Grammys. There are a variety of outstanding internship opportunities on television series and film sets. And the professors and other instructors are working professionals, some of whom have won Academy Awards. Everyone is focused on helping the student get started on their careers and has connections and advice they share with students. Of course, students need to be go-getters and apply to those internships, meet their instructors after class, and get involved in all the clubs and almost nightly screenings. But USC is geared to make this easy, social and fun. </p>
<p>In the end, going to Los Angeles or NYC for college is especially important for students who don’t come from these cities. Frankly, if they haven’t grown up with kids whose dads and moms were writing tv series and composing film scores, they need to start finding their own contacts and mentors. It’s a big advantage to be in a place that offers this access every day.</p>
<p>You may be interested in learning these individuals are USC alumni…</p>
<p>Frank Gehry-Pritzer Prize- National Medal of the Arts
Morten Lauridsen-Famous composer-National Medal of the Arts
Kevin Starr-Historian- National Medal of the Humanities
Nmon Ford-Singer- Grammy Award
Herb Alpert-Musician-Grammy Award-Co-Founder of A & M Records
Rob Cavallo-Producer-Grammy Award winning record producer
Marilyn Horne-Famous opera singer
Michael Tilson Thomas-Conductor-National Medal of the Arts-Grammy Award
Robyn Troup-Singer-Grammy Award Winner
Millicent Accardi-Writer-National Endowment for the Arts
Art Buchwald-Columnist-Pulitzer Prize winner, deceased
Tom Selleck-Actor-Emmy Award winner
Robert Stack-Actor-Academy Award winner, deceased
Marlo Thomas-Actor-Emmy Award winner
John Wayne-Actor-Academy Award winner, deceased
LeVar Burton-Actor & Director-Emmy Award winner
Kristin Hanggi-Director-Tony Award nominee for theatre direction
Michael Landon-Actor-Emmy Award winner, deceased
George Lucas-Director-Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute
David Newman-Composer-Academy Award
Ron Howard-Director-Academy Award
James Snyder-Actor-Drama League nominee
Deborah Ann Woll-Screen Actor’s Guild nominee
Stark Sands-Actor-Theatre World Award-Tony Award nominee
Tara Smith-Theatre Producer-Two time Tony Award nominee
Patrick Adams-Ovaton Award nominee
Paul Comi-Serves on the Foreign Film Committee for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences
Cari Smulyan-Actor-Event Coordinator at Theatre Company in NYC
Kyra Phillips-Broadcast Journalist-Winner of four Emmy Awards and two Edward R. Murrow Awards
Kristen A. Guenther-Actor-Recipient of Richard Rogers Award for Musical Theatre
Forest Whitaker-Actor-Academy Award
Kyra Sedgewick-Actor-Golden Globe Award
Stephanie Shroyer-Stage Director-USC Professor-Two Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards
Six Drama-Logue Awards-Garland Award
John Ottoman-Film Composer-LA Drama Critics Award
Jason Reitman-Director-Academy Award
Thom Mayne-Architect-Pritzer Prize Winner
Kate Russo-Actor-Tony Award nominee
Paranav Shah-Production manager of the 2011 NY Musical Theare Festival
Kevin McCollum-Stage Producer-Tony Award Winner
Sheryl Staples-Musician-Principal Associate Concertmaster of the NY Philharmnonic</p>
<p>Thanks, madbean and Georgiagirl.</p>
<p>Hi maverickdog,</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into both great schools. I’ll admit I’m biased, but USC and Duke aren’t academically far apart enough, IMO, to forego the scholarships you’ll get from USC. I graduated with a degree in IR in 1991. Dr. Steven Lamy is an absolute treasure! I know he is still at USC, but not sure if he still lectures. If he does, he alone is worth going to USC, IMO. </p>
<p>But, certainly, a degree from Duke would be nice, too. Good luck to you. (And for any fact checkers out there, yes, I chose USC for their journalism program, but ended up changing majors) </p>
<p>Also, I can’t speak to how that degree fares in a career because I became a stay-at-home mom shortly after graduation. :-)</p>
<p>i have two friends at duke and one at usc who are that major, it seems duke is significantly stronger with opportunities and academics for that specific major. usc is warm though :). money can be an issue, but i wouldnt turn down the opportunity that duke is if i were you</p>
<p>As a NC resident, the atmosphere at Duke is dramatically different than USC…check it out if you have time. The schools are excellent…duke has better national ranking but money IS important. My son chose USC…good luck!! Options are great!!</p>
<p>Each year only 60 Truman Scholars are named in the U.S. Travis Glynn, who is majoring in international relations at USC, has earned that honor for 2012. Mr. Glynn has a 4.0 in his major and is taking four minors in widely different fields. After he completes his senior year in 2014 his goal is to earn a graduate degree and have a career in foreign service. He speaks fluent German and Urdu. </p>
<p>More information on Travis can be found on the USC website: [University</a> of Southern California](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu%5DUniversity”>http://www.usc.edu) .</p>
<p>MotherMD why did you son choose USC over Duke?</p>