<p>I just finished my freshman year at UT-Austin as a Biology major but plan on switching to a business major while staying on the premed/predent track. </p>
<p>I have always wanted to go to USC but did not think I was ready to move across the country after high school and decided to go to UT because it was close to home. Now, I regret that decision and wished I went to USC because I am in love with the school, campus, tradition, people, and city. I recently received my letter of acceptance to USC for Fall 08 and can't decide what to do. I was accepted as a biology major and plan on double majoring in business.</p>
<p>I was wondering whether you guys think it would be worth it to transfer and pay 35K in tuition instead of 10K at UT. The level of education between the two schools is fairly equal, but I believe that I would have a much more complete and fulfilling college experience at USC. My family is pretty well off, so money is not a huge concern. However, I do plan on attending med/dental school, so there will be more costs in the future. </p>
<p>If you all have any advice on what I should do, I would greatly appreciate it. I only have until June 2nd to submit my enrollment deposit for USC, so I need to make a decision soon. Thanks for any help.</p>
<p>Why don't you call USC and ask the admissions rep what is the USC acceptance rate for med-dental schools vs. what you know about the same at UT Austin?
You also need to clarify the financial piece with your parents. Your post is confusing-"money is not a huge concern" but you worry about future med/dental school costs (which can be a lot). Of course, I would choose USC but I would still get more info. from USC and your parents before deciding.</p>
<p>Since you state "money is not a huge concern", asking us if it will "be worth it to transfer and pay 35k in tuition instead of 10k at UT" seems strange. Will going to the school you love be worth it to YOU? Reading your post carefully, I'd say yes. </p>
<p>Here's where you answer your own question (imho): You said you "always wanted to go to USC" but had been afraid to leave home. You say "Now, I regret that decision and wished I went to USC because I am in love with the school, campus, tradition, people, and city." So at this point I think you should feel fabulous that you were accepted as a transfer student!!</p>
<p>But it seems, once again, you are having fears about leaving home and maybe getting cold feet and looking for reasons to bail. Ask465, now is NOT the time to give in to your fears. You are a student with great things ahead and need to be brave and go for it!</p>
<p>You are clearly an outstanding student who will have a wonderful experience at USC. Look, if you hadn't already faced this decision, made the wrong one (for you), and regretted it, I'd have different advice. And if your parents are unhappy paying the USC price, that's a different story. But that's not the picture you presented.</p>
<p>Good luck and fight on!</p>
<p>madbean,
Thanks for the response. Your encouragement is helping me realize that I am trying to find ways to get out of going(again). I just want to make sure that it is worth the extra 25K a year in tuition. My parents are fine paying the tuition, but to me, that doesn't mean I should spend that much on college unless I am sure that it is worth it. I guess I have just been fishing for encouragement.</p>
<p>My husband went to grad school at USC and got his first job from the Trojan Network. Therefore, he is very enthusiastic about the school. The Trojan alumni network is real.</p>
<p>
[quote]
At the end of the day, the Trojan Network at USC is worth the extra money you'd spend.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There is statistically meaningful academic research that refutes that statement, Google the work of Alan Krueger and Stacy Dale for example. As is usually the case with research in the social sciences, it is possible to use basic reasoning and bypass all the fancy research. $25k/year over 3 years adds up to $75k over the remaining 3 years for the OP. Assuming that the famed Trojan network gets him a better first job and he/she remains for 10 years in that job (a bold assumption, people change jobs more often nowadays), the job would have to net him/her $7.5k more per year for the OP to break even. When you throw in the cost of money over time, this number is more like $10k. With median starting salaries for college graduates south of $50k, does one really think that connections alone can average them a job that pays 20% better? Me thinks not... The one exception I can think of are the "talent" fields, where being at the right place at the right time, and knowing the right people, can make a big difference to a career.</p>
<p>The math is even more skewed for someone planning on going to grad/med/law school. Acceptance there is largely a numbers game that has little correlation to undergraduate institution. The OP's intent to go to med school would make having access to the alumni network meaningless.</p>
<p>At the time that my husband looked for his first job as an Engineer out of USC Engineering school, jobs were scarce. Having landed his first job from a Trojan alumni, my husband really appreciates the alumni network. The economy is fickle--what looks great today may change tomorrow which is another reason that the network helps--even if the salary is not significantly greater. Also, my husband was impressed with meeting a fellow Trojan at USC Explore Day who really advanced and did very well with his USC degree.</p>
<p>For law, business, and film. I've definitely heard of the Trojans network. However, I'm in a field that I never need to use that hence I don't care. For me, if it works out then it's great but I'm not relying on it and neither is my daughter.</p>