<p>I realize that the two colleges are COMPLETELY different but if anyone has an opinion on why one over the other that would be nice. Are academics at USC as strong as they are at Midd? Is skiing accessible at USC? I realize this is the USC forum but try to be objective.</p>
<p>except for a tiny few states in New England, nobody’s ever heard of Middlebury. for the money, you need to go to a brand name school. you should go to Boston College over Middlebury, for example.</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>I will not lie: Midd was my dream school at one point! I still think it’s a wonderful school. It really depends on the environment you want. Do you want to go to a smaller school or a larger one? How close should this skiing be? What do you want to study? What are your career aspirations? </p>
<p>Think about it, for sure.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Much in the same way that more people have heard about a Honda Civic than a Bugatti Veyron. Would you still rather drive the Honda?</p>
<p>Middlebury is one of the most highly ranked liberal arts schools in the country. The campus is spectacularly beautiful. They are in close proximity to ski areas.
I know nothing about USC other than than the reputation of their football team.</p>
<p>Ditto. The only thing I know about USC is that its nickname is “University of Spoiled Children.” And they have a great film program.</p>
<p>What is your intended major?</p>
<p>Seattletw : your comment is absurd. Middlebury is the ivy equivalent among lacs. It is far more selective and more well-regarded than Boston College! Middlebury’s accepted class of 2017 includes students from 73 countries, so it appears that a few people from other than “tiny New England states” may have heard of this school.</p>
<p><a href=“Middlebury News and Announcements”>Middlebury News and Announcements;
<p>Look up the usc ski and snowboard team on youtube… they are amazing. Unfortunately my parents refused to let my apply to a college based on freestyle ski teams. Middlebury does have its own mountain though…</p>
<p>Whoa! These two choices are on opposite ends of the country and represent the classic choice of large research university vs. small liberal arts college. Each has pros and cons.</p>
<p>What is important here is the student and fit. Are the features of each choice important to the individual student? </p>
<p>Although it is a large university SC has a fine student/faculty ratio of 9/1. It is considered highly selective. The Dornsife School of LAS is within the larger university and has been the recipient of huge donations which have enhanced academic experiences. The Thematic Option, Freshman Science Honors Program and Freshman Seminars are offered. </p>
<p>The campus is noted for the landscaped courtyards, plazas, many fountains and tropical flowering trees. Due to the climate outdoor sports/activities take place all year.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is a cosmopolitan city. Access to the Performing Arts Center, Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, museums, art galleries, theaters and entertainment venues are just a few moments away via the metro system. These are in addition to the lectures, concerts, film showcases, plays, operas, recitals, Visions & Voices, art exhibits and athletic events that take place on campus.</p>
<p>Academic choices include well over 100 majors, emphasis on interdisciplinary study and the opportunity to design a major with the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students can choose from 62 study abroad programs in 33 countries.</p>
<p>Including transfer applications SC had over 55,000 applicants. These came from all over the world.</p>
<p>Midway, my suggestion is to visit each campus, sit in on some classes, take the tour and speak to students at each of your choices. Consider the costs, internships, opportunities in your major and see if one or the other fits YOU.</p>
<p>just so you know, the 1/9 ratio is easily manipulated. this statistic includes courses with 1 student (like 499 special topics courses), and courses that are related to an instrument. The average class size at USC is HUGE. even in my 300-400 level courses as IR major, there at at least more than 20 kids per class. comming from a private boarding school with much fewer per class, this is unacceptable for me and is the reason i will be transferring out.</p>
<p>also, USC is really weird and not like top schools at all when it comes to living. middlebury, like other top schools HPYSM/Williams/amherst, has a 4 year residential college living system. at usc, you dont get to live on campus for 4 years. some claim thats what they want, but in reality many students want to live on campus for 4 years but the school simply doesnt have enough dorms. ALso, USC’s endowment is INCREDIBLY low per student…something to consider in the long run. Even if the campaign is met, its still a tiny endowment per student. i think my high school has almost as much money as USC…lol</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Let’s assume, for a moment, that this is an accurate statement, please provide a concrete example as to how this would affect the day to day life of a USC undergrad over the next four years.</p>
<p>The average student, parent or administrator can’t tell you the level of endowment at any school much less how it impacts their daily lives. Assuming the campaign works, which it seems to be, then USC will have more than it does now - certainly a good thing. </p>
<p>Don’t manufacture non-existent problems.</p>
<p>Well right now as a Business/ir major, id like to study abroad in several nordic countries. However, USC doesnt have ANY of them. finland, iceland, denmark etc…i would be willing to bet money that colleges with higher endowments have more study abroad choices, which affects my life expereinces</p>
<p>You do realize that you can trailblaze your own study abroad program right? My roommate was one of the first to ever study abroad at his study abroad location for Viterbi - He went out and researched classes, and got it approved by the department… you can do the same.</p>
<p>Don’t manufacture non-existent problems.</p>
<p>Going back on topic - For OP, it boils down to whether you want the small LAC feel or the versatility and prestige of a large institution like USC. I personally prefer larger schools simply because of how easy it is for me to take classes in all sorts of disciplines (I’ve taken architecture, art, business, dance, sciences, history, etc… whatever I want).</p>
<p>Of course, what your career goals are also play a huge factor into this decision.</p>
<p>Also… the weather’s pretty different too, haha.</p>
<p>artic…you realize that doing that does not count for your LSAC gpa right? if its not a school sponsored program listed, the LSAC doesnt take it into consideration.</p>
<p>high endowment means that it is likely that alumni are sucessful, wealthy, and feel like the school helped their life enough to donate back. obviously USC alumni arnt very wealthy or dont feel like giving back when compared to other top schools thats for sure</p>
<p>This thread is pretty far off topic but for the record there is an IR Maymester program that goes to “nordic countries” - Finland, Sweden, (and also St. Petersburg).</p>
<p>Yes but no year long traditional study abroad programs that LSAC accredits when it considers your GPA…</p>
<p>most lacs, with the exception of Amherst, are not worth the price tag in the long run because you will spend decades explaining what and where the school is. I’d rather go to BC than any lac…at least the eagles have a strong alumni group and yes, we’ve all heard of them…</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>“obviously USC alumni arnt very wealthy or dont feel like giving back when compared to other top schools thats for sure”</p>
<p>Wasn’t USC in the top 10 for fundraising last year?</p>
<p>I’m not totally convinced Brojan is a USC student. He’s always been a bit of a ■■■■■.</p>
<p>per student? my point is that i never realized how MASSIVE this school is considering its decent, but not spectacular resources. I would sincerely hope usc could easily beat schools like princeton, dartmouth, in fundraising considering that sc is MULTIPLE times larger with exponentially more alumni …dont you?</p>