Hello, down to the final two, and have great reasons to go to either. At Harvard I would concentrate in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and likely take on another concentration in the Social Studies or Humanities realm. At USC, I would major in Non Governmental Organizations and Social Change, and double major with Environmental Science or Studies, and possibly minor in Theater, I also like the TO program at USC. I would get heavily involved in the Theater programs at both schools. I’m in the Black Student Union at my high school, and diversity is important to me. Financially, my family could pay for Harvard, but that would basically eliminate my ability to go to graduate school, which I’m not entirely set on going to, but like the option. I love the academic flexibility of both schools, and prefer USC’s campus over Harvard. I do like the way Harvard organizes housing. I’m curious about which school is better for Environmental topics, although Harvard is the best academically, it definitely doesn’t have the natural resources of Southern California. I am hesitant about the social life at Harvard, but I dislike Greek Life, which is a large part of USC’s social life. Thoughts?
please!
Both schools are great – I don’t think greek life dominates at USC, my son is heading there in the fall (Trustee) and we are a “absolutely no frats” type of family! USC has amazing opportunities, great alumni networks, and that California friendliness that may be missing at Harvard. BUT…you have a tough choice! USC is really diverse and I love the vibe on campus – can’t speak to Harvard. If your thinking about government work in DC after school, Harvard may be a better fit. Hopefully others can chime in, but I think you have two great options!
Can you visit both schools for admitted students day?
USC is NOT frat heavy, by any means. I think only 20% of students participate, and that # is falling yearly. In fact the administration has been very tough in cracking down on drunken frats parties.
re grad school, if you are thinking PhD, then that wont cost you anything. But if its Business, Law or any type of masters degree, I’d save the $$ and go to USC.
Trustee scholars are treated like gold, and you will find plenty of really smart peers at USC.
Congrats!
Proud USC Trustee Alum mom.
@astute12 I cannot attend either school’s admitted students days, but have visited both campus’s on my own. I like Harvard’s art museum, and cambridge, but their housing is lacking for what it costs. USC’s campus has more of a pulse, but off campus isn’t as nice as cambridge. I’m trying not to decide based off the weather, where USC has the obvious upper hand.
*campuses
Harvard’s alumni are rather passive about helping out other alums. On the other hand, USC alums are rabid to help. That boost lasts over decades – sometimes when you need it most.
LOL the weather in LA can’t be beat! Also there is so much to do in LA, and like @makennacompton says, the alums are so helpful!
Without a doubt go with Harvard! and I am speaking as someone whose child also has both offers at hand. If you are not getting any money from Harvard your family income must be north of $275k and thus can clearly afford it. Graduate schools–and the good ones worth going— usually are free anyway and you can think about it four years later. Its a long time before you will have to make that decision and four years of college can expand your horizon and change your perspectives.
Among about dozen Harvard admits I know of, who also applied to USC all of them got full tuition scholarship in one form or another, but among those having the $55k/yr scholarship at USC almost none had a Harvard offer because all of them would have chosen Harvard. Of course, this is my own observation from 20 or so cases that I know of. But if you think about it it makes sense; I know of cases where it cost millions of donation to get a kid with typical USC stats admitted to Harvard. A $200k difference is a rather small amount compared to millions, and with your demonstrated talent it is perfectly reasonable to assume that you are going to have a future earning far exceeding $200k. You can always make the money back but once the opportunity is lost it is gone forever.
HARVARD!!! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is worth it even at double full cost. Think about not only you but the future legacy status of your potential children, and nieces and nephews. Go with Harvard.
Really, you can’t go wrong. Seriously.
When you’re talking to people who are immersed in thinking about college prestige on a regular basis, Harvard seems like it’s such a big jump above USC because of the Ivy League mystique and stuff.
But if you look at the big picture, USC and Harvard both occupy a tiny slice of American universities - super selective, very prestigious, with great resources, opportunities, and career connections. (For example - Harvard has produced the second largest number of billionaire alumni in the world, but USC also has produced the fourth-largest.) You can do very well coming out of either of them.
So I think your choice should be based on the environment and atmosphere you want to find yourself in for the next four years.
If you want to do theater, both colleges will have excellent theater programs and both cities will have great theater scenes - but USC is pretty well known for the dramatic arts, and LA is an excellent city for someone with an interest in theater.
I have a (black) friend from grad school who went to Harvard for undergrad, and she said their black student community, with which she was heavily involved, is very tight-knit and strong. Both have similar levels of racial/ethnic diversity and of international students. USC has a bit more socioeconomic diversity - 17% of USC students are first-generation college students, and 24% are Pell Grant eligible. However, 16% of Harvard’s students were Pell Grant recipients and 15% were first-generation college students, meaning that they’re coming pretty close and not bad on socioeconomic diversity as far as elite schools go. (Numbers obtained from Harvard and USC’s own institutional data.) Harvard has more OOS students - 65% of USC’s students are from California (although only around 40% of the Fall 2017 admits were), whereas only 16% of Harvard’s students are from Massachusetts.
So basically, you can get great diversity at both schools.
I agree that I wouldn’t worry too much about graduate school. You may not go, and it’s common for students to pay their own way. (It’s not true, though, that graduate schools usually are free anyway. hD programs are usually covered by funding, but master’s programs - especially professional ones - and professional schools are typically not free and actually quite expensive).
I am skeptical about claims that Greek life isn’t dominant at USC. By all objective accounts, it is; ~20% of the student body being involved means that one out of every five students is in a Greek org - that’s a large chunk of the student population. There are 60 fraternities and sororities with over 3500 members, the oldest going back to just a few years after the university was founded. (However, I will also say that Greek life is more diverse and varied than most people give it credit for.)
julliet,
with all due respect- 20% is dominate?? I dont think so. In the bad old days, it may have been, but those days are long gone…
. take it from one who USED to view USC with a jaundiced eye.Then my son was accepted, awarded the Trustee scholarship, enrolled and was able to have a great time at USC, as did his friends, without encountering or having anything to do with frat life.
there are many other activities for students who are NOT interested in Greek life at USC, like my DS and the OP. Finding like minded students is easy.
Our D16 had this choice, and she selected Harvard. She has not regretted her decision, even with the dismal weather this spring.
You can’t go wrong. Harvard is one of those schools that you should not turn down, unless you have an exceptional choice (Like a USC fully). Congrats!
Where do you want to live after graduation? If the west coast, then USC and Harvard would be about equal. If the east coast, then Harvard will open a lot more doors.
ES&PP at Harvard is a little lightweight on the science.
@Questar They don’t provide much info about ES&PP on their website, I’m interested in hearing more about it if you know more specifics on it.
^ I’d assume a student who got into Harvard is perfectly able to complement his/her studies with the appropriate classes from various science departments.
Basically, there’s no wrong choice. Most people would choose Harvard but they may do so for reasons that don’t apply to you.
According to US News, USC has 26% of students in frats & 27% in sororities.
If OP’s family can afford to fund either Harvard or graduate school, then USC appears to be the more reasonable choice. But who can be reasonable about Harvard ?