<p>Hi Everyone,</p>
<p>Thank you in advance for reading my long-winded story, but I felt it was necessary to give you the scope of what I'm dealing with. I have received all of my decisions already and I am deciding where I should spend the next few years of my life. I am very confused because I never even thought I was going to apply to USC, but here they are, offering me some wonderful things.</p>
<p>I was accepted into some great schools and need to decide what to do. I have narrowed it down to Wash U, Berkeley, Emory, Michigan (w/ Honors), and USC. I am planning on studying Neuroscience as a pre-med and pursuing Neurosurgery in the future. However, this is not the path I planned on taking (undergraduate-wise). I applied early to Stanford and was rejected, and was killed by the 3 ivies I applied to in the RD round (except for a waitlist at Dartmouth). </p>
<p>I know that Wash U, Berkeley, Emory, Michigan, and USC are all great schools, for which I am very happy for my admission, but I am confused as to where I should attend. I know Wash U's reputation for Biology/Neuroscience is superb, but I have heard that it is very competitive and cutthroat. As for Emory, I have heard that NBB (Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology) is a great program if one wants to pursue Neuroscience as a career.</p>
<p>However, the biggest dilemma of all has been USC. I initially applied to USC as a safety school, but they have captured my interest as they throw money and opportunities in my face that I seemingly can't refuse. I was accepted as a Trustee scholar (full scholarship for undergrad) and was recently accepted into the Bacc/MD program (1 of 30 students who gets guaranteed admission into medical school assuming GPA is above 3.0 and MCAT is 30+). Also today, I got an email from a doctor I worked with at an internship who now works at USC that wants me to help pilot a research program for all 8 years. I feel like all the stuff that USC is giving me is unbelievable and that I am being given an offer I can't refuse. I had a preconceived idea that I was going to go away for college (whether it be northern California or the east coast), but it looks like my best offer is still in SoCal, even though USC is not the most highly ranked/prestigious school on my admitted list. Can any of you guys give me some guidance as to what I should do?!?! I am confused and need some advice. Thank you!!!</p>
<p>If you truly want to be a doctor, and cant see yourself doing anything else, go for USC saving money would be good because the scholarship will definitely make it easier on you and your parents, since most people graduate med school with sometimes more than 200K in debt. If you care about the social life, the football culture at USC will be huge and since it is in LA (even though the surrounding area is shady) there will be a lot of stuff to do. As for the rank/prestige, nobody goes to the doctor and asks what schools they went to and then decide if they want to be a patient. Go where you will be able to thrive and enjoy the best four years of your life. Really, there is really no wrong way for you. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>thank you for your input!!! I totally get what you’re saying!</p>
<p>NBB is definitely Emory’s strongest subjects, but USC is really playing hardball. If I were you I’d go to USC to save the hassle of applying to med school. a 3.0 and 30 mcat is nothing…</p>
<p>This is soooo true. I’ve been a little thrown off guard by it. Thanks again for the input from all of you! I understand that the med school acceptance in my pocket is a great opportunity. I’ve just never imagined myself at USC and have to shift mental gears.</p>
<p>USC seems to be giving you an offer you cannot refuse …free money !! plus guaranteed research opportunities are hard to find. personally I would take it. good luck</p>
<p>thank you diablosauce!</p>
<p>Go to USC. All your accepted schools are great, but you’d have to be nuts to turn down a full scholarship and guaranteed admission to med school. Congratulations! Fight on!</p>
<p>I feel like that’s the general consensus around here jamescchen lol. Thank you anyway!</p>
<p>Let us know your decision! But im surprised your not getting baised answers in the emory forum… anyways my biggest advice is do you want to go to Emory? Do you know how hard it is to get into their medical school! The avg gpa is HIGH let me tell you… and you need way more than a 30 on the MCAT. Plus oppurtunities dont come like these often. USC is not so bad our rank #2 is considering going their because I believe she is a trustee as well (emory used to be her #1) but with ALL OF THAT, I mean thats tough. Yeah I know you will have to stay in SC which kinda sucks but imagine medical school is so competitive and no matter where you go doctors are doctors My doctor graduated from a state college just like USC. Doesnt make her any better.
-Good Luck, my advice when you make your final decision pay your deposit don’t look back, but that being said visit the campus and think hard! And also what do YOU want. It’s your future!</p>
<p>USC is not a state college…far from it actually. But thank you for the advice anyway!</p>
<p>I would definitely say USC. You save money and you are basically guaranteed a spot in med school. It’s about equal to Emory academically and a little below WashU.</p>
<p>WAIT YOU MEAN USC! I thought you meant university of south carolina, well that changes everything. USC is an amazing school already but with those options added on… WOW thats a blessing</p>