<p>Trying to understand USC from the East Coast: can someone who knows both coasts offer an opinion? What is it similar to in the East in terms of, I guess, reputation? Dartmouth? BU and NYU? Most people here figure it is just one of the UC's so it is hard to figure out.</p>
<p>I would say Boston College is the closest equivalent. Both are private schools with solid academics and similar admission requirements. Sports is a big part of both schools and the student body tends to come from more affluent families. I'd say USC is a better school, but that's the closest match I know of.</p>
<p>Or maybe Tufts? USC is moving up academically.</p>
<p>As an east coast parent of a USC student nothing readily comes to mind with one exception. NYU, and GW, are not comparable as to feel since while all three are urban, USC has a discrete, gated, very green campus without city streets running through it unlike thee other two. I know nothing about BC, but it being a Catholic school does make it fairly different than USC. BTW, the latter has been working hard to bring more Jewish students to campus.</p>
<p>I'm very familiar with UNC and in some ways USC and UNC are alike. They are similar in size and recently the academic quality of USC students has risen to become nearly equivalent to UNC out-of-state studuents and the best of in-staters. Overall USC is somehwat below UNC academically but with some world class programs. The feel is not too different. Green campuses with very pleasant, polite students. Both have active sports programs with intense rivalries with nearby universities (Duke and UCLA.) Both also have active Greek programs. </p>
<p>Cost is a huge difference although out-of-state students tutition and fees are rising dramatically at Carolina. USC as a private school also has more out of state students than UNC has as a state university.</p>
<p>USC and NYU are pretty similar, both in urban areas, low acceptance rates, and low yield rates, but still pretty decent SAT score ranges.</p>
<p>Except USC has a great athletic department and NYU has...???</p>
<p>I would say Syracuse is a close East-coast equivalent to USC. Yes, it is not in the center a metropolis, but the school itself is similar academically (very highly touted programs and schools), athletically (Big East Div.1), and in size.</p>
<p>BC is the closest, I am from Boston and I would say that the schools are same size, very similar campus feel, sports are huge, although USC offers much more and it is not religious.</p>