Class of 2024, recently admitted to Duke, Vandy, UT Business Hnrs/Plan II, Notre Dame Mendoza, and USC Marshall with scholarship. Not 100% sure what I want to do down the road, but most likely something in business. Looking for any insight on making a decision in the coming weeks. Thanks
Hey,
I’m here to make the case for SC.
Attending USC has been the greatest decision of my life, and of every single one of my SC friend’s lives. The atmosphere on campus is like no other; the campus is like no other; the balance of academics/athletics/and a vibrant social scene is like no other. It is the Disneyland of colleges. It’s ashame you can’t visit right now due to coronavirus but oh my god USC is such the move. Everyone is just so happy to be there. I have friends at UCLA and Hopkins literally hating their lives and wishing to be at SC. I feel bad and even have to tone it down SC is THAT good. AND a Marshall scholarship? You don’t want to turn that down. The connections you make at SC…the Trojan family is unparalleled. IN LA?! College with the most beautiful amazing weather in the world…COME ON. I took SURFING at SC. Oh also SC has literally the most attractive student body ever. You’re one of us. We are family. Make the right move. Fight on baby
Really appreciate the insight. USC should hire you for their recruiting!
So with all do respect to the other schools listed, you would be absolutely nuts to turn down Duke for those options, especially if you want finance. Duke places among the best of all schools on Wall Street (puts students at virtually all bulge bracket IB), and also has all of the big 3 consulting firms recruit on campus (McKinsey, BCG, Bain). Not the case with any of the others. Also probably going to upset a few people here as well with this, but if your school has an “honors college”, really isn’t that great of a university. Tells you that they aren’t good enough to get the top students without that gimmick. Believe all except Duke and Vandy fall into that category, and Vandy just frankly doesn’t recruit as well or have the same cache
What is the net cost of each of these?
It really comes down to cost. Business honors at UT probably means you’re in-state. That’s a solid option. USC sounds great too, but need to know how much your scholarship covers. No, it’s not worth taking out a butt-load of co-signed debt for any of these schools, no matter how prestigious.
Agree that COA for each school is an important factor not shared by OP.
I appealed financial aid at each of the schools because our financial situation has changed during the pandemic, but without any additional financial aid, the total cost of attendance would be:
-UT: $30k
-USC: $45k (even with 1/2 tuition scholarship)
-ND: $65k
-Vanderbilt: $65k
-Duke: $65k
Let’s see what the financial aid appeal results in.
In addition, if some costs would need to be paid with parental loans, go for the one you can afford without loans.
One big difference is that Notre Dame is Catholic - does that matter to you?
UT Business Honors + Plan II is nationally-known, incredibly prestigious in the Southwest, and should come with lots of perks and advantages.
USC is more expensive than UT but still doesn’t double final costs, so if you want OOS it may be a good compromise.
Ultimately, financial constraints will likely play a bigger role now.
Do let us know what you decide.
No, that’s not how honors colleges work. Schools have them to provide things that the regular college might be lacking, such as small classes, the ability to write a thesis and do research, or to pick your classes first, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the college isn’t great. Can you honestly say that UT isn’t that great of a university?
If it were me, I would seriously consider going to UT Plan II, which I hear is phenomenal. The difference of $35K/year x 4 years + inflation with UT vs Duke, ND or Vandy will likely end up being closer to $150-$160K at the end. That means you will have a UT degree, and the ability to fund grad school, or buy a car and put a down payment on a house, and maybe travel for 6 months post graduation. Not having as much or no debt is key, especially when all the schools are very good like you have here.
Duke is a great school too. My best friend from high school went there. He has told me multiple times he doesn’t think it was worth the money then, and isn’t sending his own kids there now as it certainly isn’t worth the extra money. If your financial aid appeal works, and you can keep the difference between Duke and the other options within $25-$30K, then maybe Duke is the best pick.
USC is good if you want to be in LA. We live there, and are 5 minutes to the beach. USC to the beach for surfing is an hour with traffic. Great school, and may be worth the extra $60K.
My daughter has picked one of the best honors colleges in the country over Michigan, which is $200,000 more. I would seriously give the edge to UT honors.
If your financial situation has significantly changed, there doesn’t seem to be much of a choice. It is doubtful that your appeal will result in meaningful money.
The good news is that Plan II AND CBHP are golden tickets, and you are holding two of them. Plan II is amazing, small classes with vetted professors, options for community, more personalized advising and education than being a general student at USC or ND or Vandy. BHP, all of that, plus recruiting advantages, etc. Both programs will provide you select opportunities plus you get the diverse social, recreation, sporting activities of a giant university in a very cool manageable city. Having one foot in Plan II world will provide you exposure and choices if you decide that business isn’t really your thing. UT is doable for less than $30k, and you will have more scholarship opportunities in later years.
Congratulations for having all of those acceptances, best of luck to you!
I have decided to attend UT Austin this fall. Really appreciate the help. Thanks
Congratulations!
UT+ Plan II + BHP = incredible. Time to celebrate (while distancing… 
- have a picture of a zoom party to show your kids when they study the Great 2020 Pandemic 
)
Hook 'em, horns.
'Grats and best wishes to you.