<p>which school is stronger overall based on academics, atmosphere, public vs. private, student body etc</p>
<p>where would you rather go?</p>
<p>Me living in michigan... I am applying to both but i'll choose USC beacuse of the weather and the area. They are pretty close in academics and selectivity. Michigan weather sucks.. if you don't live here don't go out of your way to come lol. Ann Arbor is just a college town so it kind of depends what kind of area you want to live in, if you want a big city feeling take USC if you want UM to be the center of the city basicly choose UM. I'd also suggest looking into UCLA or UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>Wasn't this thread supposed to be Michigan vs Mars?!</p>
<p>Michigan vs the world....</p>
<p>I choose Michigan over USC for a few reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>I'm in-state, therefore UMich is cheaper by alot</li>
<li>It has better academics</li>
</ol>
<p>BTW, keep in mind USC's "private" school setting isn't normal. They have an exceptionally large student body considering they are a private school. (one of the largest of private school's actually) although USC still is smaller then UMich by a quite a margin, but they are both "big" compared to other schools</p>
<p>I cant believe im saying this but...Michigan</p>
<p>To the OP: you need to more specific regarding your reasons for comparison, b/c USC and Michigan are similar in many ways. What do you want to study?</p>
<p>I would choose USC because I like generally perfer private schools, and I like being in a big city. And the beautiful weather, of course.</p>
<p>Michigan has better academics, national, and international recognition.</p>
<p>USC has the better area and weather.</p>
<p>Basicly choose whatever you want becuase you aren't going to go wrong with either school. Do a campus visit and see what you like the best.</p>
<p>USC because of variety of Business programs they offer.</p>
<p>(Michigan doesn't have Business Management in Cinema/Entertainment Industry!)</p>
<p>dhl3, thats an unfair comparason because UM doesn't have traditional majors, they have Business Management or Economics with ephaisis on a certain topic (Advertising, International, etc.)</p>
<p>Michigan's academics are stronger than USC's in almost every field except the Visual Arts.</p>
<p>Atmosphere is really up to choice. I think everyone should live in California for a little while, but I really love Ann Arbor. The weather is opposites in both, both pretty crappy, one hot, one cold. Also, its the decision between a big city and a large town.</p>
<p>USC really is comparable to most public (many people don't actually realize it is private) schools whereas Michigan is the best of both Public and Private schools (diversity, price, and sports of a public, academics of a private) </p>
<p>I think the student body at UM is generally smarter, but i cannot say from personal experience whether they are nicer.</p>
<p>UM > USC. Not even close. Just because USC got lots of big donations doesn't mean it's a major contender.</p>
<p>MK99, What is it you think that those donations go towards? Do you think it's a total coincidence that the top 25 ranked schools also seem to have the largest endowments and highest level of donations?</p>
<p>Big donations pay for state of the art buildings, labratories, and research facilities. Dig donations allow for schools to attract the top faculty and researchers. Big donations are exactly what turn schools into "major contenders."</p>
<p>MattEisn, Michigan has long been an academic (and sports) powerhouse, and that reputation certainly continues today. However, I see no evidence that the UM student body is smarter than USC's. On the contrary, with a 48% acceptance rate, it looks like UM accepts any above-average michigan high schooler. USC's acceptance rate was half of that (24.5%). USC has a large lead in SAT scores also.</p>
<p>I think Michigan is a great school, but you're basing your arguments on historical repuation, and not the reality of the situation.</p>
<p>Well my post was in response to the second part of the question (where would you go?)</p>
<p>But if we were to talk about which school's overall better, than I have to say Michigan - Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think the student body at UM is generally smarter
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I strongly disagree.</p>
<p>Michigan:
SAT Critical Reading: 580 - 690
SAT Math: 630 - 730
ACT Score: 27 - 31
Freshman Admit Rate: 47%
Transfer Admit Rate: 39.9%
28% with a 4.0 GPA
52% with 3.9 or higher GPA</p>
<p>USC:
Critical Reading: 630 - 720
Math: 650 - 740
ACT Score: 28 - 32
Transfer Admit Rate: 25%
Transfer Admit Rate: 26.6%
Average GPA: 3.8</p>
<p>
[quote]
USC really is comparable to most public (many people don't actually realize it is private) schools
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What difference does it make? In terms of determining which school is better, I don't think people's misconception on thinking it is a public school does not play any role. And as far as I know, none of the people I've spoken to have ever thought USC was Public. Maybe what you are talking about is that people confuse USC with University of South Carolina, which is public.</p>
<p>
[quote]
whereas Michigan is the best of both Public and Private schools (diversity, price, and sports of a public, academics of a private)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That is rather subjective. I'll assume you are merely drawing out your own opinion. If you are to talk solely on prestige and data, UC Berkeley is THE BEST public school in the WORLD, and Harvard (or Princeton) is THE BEST private school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Michigan's academics are stronger than USC's in almost every field except the Visual Arts.
[/quote]
music school, anyone? also, even if UM stronger, the difference is really pretty marginal. for example, engineering is fairly closely ranked...even if UM had a small "double digit" lead, both are in the top tier and i'm sure as a student the difference would be almost moot. i won't argue though that the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences is weaker than at most large universities.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Atmosphere is really up to choice. I think everyone should live in California for a little while, but I really love Ann Arbor. The weather is opposites in both, both pretty crappy, one hot, one cold. Also, its the decision between a big city and a large town.
[/quote]
come on, LA hot? there may be a handful of >90 degree days every month during of the summer (which you'll only catch the end of anyways), but even then at least it's usually dry heat. and at least you can hit the beach where the breeze is guaranteed and often cool :D.</p>
<p>Absolutely no question: USC. I can't believe this is even being debated.</p>
<p>My reasoning: there's no way the likes of Annabel Chong would have gotten such an illustrious start at UM. And as a guy, it'd be nice to know those kinds of "possibilities" are available on campus, of fraternizing with the likes of AC.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabel_Chong%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabel_Chong</a></p>
<p>hurrah for pron</p>
<p>The Objective Data on these two schools (mostly from USNWR)</p>
<p>Graduation & Retention Rank
USC: 36th Michigan: 28th
-% of Students expected to graduate in 6 years:
USC: 85% Michigan: 77%
-% of students who do graduate in 6 years:
USC: 83% Michigan: 86%</p>
<p>Faculty Resources Rank:
USC: 24th Michigan: 69th
-% of classes with 50+ students
USC: 10% Michigan: 16%
-% of classes with <20 students
USC: 63% Michigan: 43%
-Faculty/student ratio
USC: 10/1 Michigan: 15/1</p>
<p>Student Selectivity Rank:
USC: 17th Michigan: 22nd
-Average SAT/ACT:
USC: 1270-1440 Michigan: 1220-1410
-% of students ranking in top 10% of high school class
USC: 85% Michigan: 89%
-% acceptance rate
USC: 27% Michigan: 57%</p>
<p>Financial Resources Rank:
USC: 45th Michigan: 31st</p>
<p>Alumni Giving % and Rank:
USC: 36% (14th) Michigan: 15% (105th)</p>
<p>2007 Rose Bowl
USC: 32 Michigan: 18</p>