<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, and which to choose, would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Amherst doesn't have sports management. If that's something you're really interested in, it might be better to attend a top athletic DI school like USC or Miami, because they might have more internship/work opportunities which would help you get a sports management job in the real world. Amherst has great DIII athletics, but there's a pretty big difference.</p>
<p>I am very familiar with the U of Miami. Lovely weather (except from August until November (hurricane season)), beautiful people. Not as academically oriented as some of the other schools but you need to make a decision about your intended academic courses. You also need to make a serious decision about how serious you intend to be about school. You get out of the process what you put into the process. That is not just a platitude. My D (now late 20's) had a friend who enrolled in the Naval Academy and concluded it was not for her. She took the scholarship from Miami, did very well and life was good. She got into a great grad school. But she did very well at Miami. I suppose the key is if you do not do well, you will find it easier coming from a better school. But if you knock em dead, Miami is fine and the explanation of financial considerations clears the path. As for sports management, forget it as an academic pursuit. Most people interested in it at your stage of life do no end up doing it, and I'll bet most of the sports agents are lawyers. Find a serious academic pursuit and work hard at it. Get good grades. Also keep in mind that much of the U of Miami these days is Hispanic and/or come from Latin countries. If that is an "issue" for you, then you need to look elsewhere. Also, FYI -- South Beach is NOT for college students unless you have unlimited resources and that does not seem to be the case here. Coral Gables does, however, still have plenty of opportunity to lead you astray. And the weather absolutely beats New England most of the year.</p>