<p>I was accepted at USC, UMiami (Florida), and Haverford....waitlisted at Amherst and Georgetown. I am going to be getting a full-tuition scholarship at UMiami, and decent grant money at USC and Haverford, but obviously not as much as at Miami. </p>
<p>I was really hoping to get into a few of the Ivies I applied to, but at the same time, they don't offer many of the areas I am interested in. I like the breadth that USC and Miami offer, in terms of top academics, spirited sports schools, sports management and film programs. I'm a bit worried about the reputation of USC and Miami though. Will they be challenging enough academically? Is there reputation 'good' enough? Obviously the Ivy League's are the top of the top, but is a diploma from USC or Miami too far below, or are they getting closer as the years go by?</p>
<p>I am going to be taking a gap year, so I always have the option of reapplying next year. I have the full-ride at Miami this year, but I could reapply to try and get a better scholarship at USC, and also to try and get in to Yale or Columbia. Any suggestions regarding reapplying, in terms of increased/decreased chances, etc?</p>
<p>I have no clue where I will go, and I cannot even decide between the schools I got into this year. I originally was set on Ivies, because of rigor, reputation, facilities, etc, but am now reconsidering, as they don't offer the more fun and creative classes/atmosphere that USC/Miami provide.</p>
<p>Any help/advice regarding these schools would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>USC is top-ranked in film (assuming you mean the one in SoCal), and has an great enginerring & biz programs . But, you have an interesting list. Amherst & Haverford have one feel (non-sports); USC & Miami have a social life that revolves around football; GT is different still.</p>
<p>USC loves high test scores for their merit money. USC has an extremely strong alumni network, but not sure how far it travels outside of SoCal. 'SC is located in South-Central LA, so its an urban campus. Miami is in the suburbs (Coral Gables).</p>
<p>You cannot compare Amherst to USC or Haverford to Miami. Amherst and Haverford are extremely respected in academic circles...on par with the Ivy League. Miami and USC are good universities, but not as highly regarded. Amherst and Haverford aren't known for their school spirit or athletic traditions...Miami and USC are. If you want to have a good education and get a respected degree from a respected university while at the same time, enjoy great school spirit, a party lifestyle, great weather and great sporting events, go to USC or Miami. On the other hand, if you are looking for an intellectual and challenging academic experience and want to be approached as a serious scholar, you would be better off at Amherst or Haverford. Not that USC and Miami don't have serious scholars (they most certainly do), but they do not have the same reputation as Amherst of Haverford. If you want to transfer into an Ivy League, doing it from Amherst or Haverford may be easier as the Ivies have deeply-rooted connections to the elite East Coast LACs. </p>
<p>Then, you have the financial aspects to consider. Miami will be cheapest, whereas Haverford and USC, although afforded, would be more expensive. Is money an issue? If so, Miami may be the best value for your money.</p>
<p>Georgetown would actually seem like your best bet of marrying the two types of institutions discussed above. However, it is unlikely that Georgetown will offer you any money.</p>
<p>From where I stand, Haverford is your best bet, assuming you like the environment. Otherwise, I would recommend Miami.</p>
<p>You take the full ride to Miami. Later, in the interview process for a job or grad school, you mention your acceptance to Haverford, and that fiscal prudence led you take the full ride to Miami. People know that full ride means the student is equivalent in quality to students at more prestigious colleges.</p>
<p>You'll be respected for that choice. 90% of the people you later meet in business or school cannot afford to pay full tuition to private colleges. They will understand yand respect the choice you made. They may also infer from that choice that you are level-headed, sensible, non-elitist, stand on your own two feet, and don't expect things you haven't earned. </p>
<p>And trust me... 99% of people in business care zero about scholarship.</p>
<p>Speaking of ranking and reputation, Miami is ranked around #50, and USC around #27. That's not a big difference, and don't forget people who last looked at college rankings more than ten years ago will view the two as equivalent (USC has moved up a lot in the past decade -- yield management, huge grant money to high SAT scorers, etc.).</p>
<p>"Will they be challenging enough academically? Is there reputation 'good' enough?"</p>
<p>You can make them challenging enough academically. Both USC and Miami attract some very serious students and some bright kids who mostly want to party. You have to find the departments, clubs, etc. where kids like you fit in. Does Miami have special housing for kids on the same scholarship you won?</p>
<p>^^ they are both similar schools for the collegiate experience, with one being urban the other suburban. 'SC alums are big in the west, and I would assume Miami's are similar in the SE. USC has risen a lot in the rankings over the past 20 years. UMiami trustees brougth in Donna Shalala as pres, so, IMO, it will be on the rise. [However, I think Donna really blew it with the football scandal a couple of years ago.]</p>
<p>update: I will be getting about as much financial aid from USC as scholarship from Miami, so it will be pretty much the same cost. Kinda silly that I will get an equal amount of money for financial aid as I will winning a whole full-ride merit, but oh well....if they cost me the same...which one then?</p>