Northwestern vs USC

College Search & Selection
1

Hey guys I need serious help picking where to go to college. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 places and I’ve almost narrowed it down to just USC and Northwestern.

I want to go to Northwestern (how could I pass that up?!?!?!) If I went to Northwestern I’d major in Journalism at Medill. When I visited I absolutely loved their journalism program and opportunities it opens up for the future. However I have some reservations about the cold weather, the lackluster social scene (possibly?), and its location in the Midwest (I’m more of a West coast guy).

I also really want to go to USC cause I love Los Angeles so much. The weather is perfect and its still a selective school. But I don’t know what I want to major in there (currently signed up for econ, but their econ program is mediocre, and I’m not sure thats what I want to study anyway). I loved the feel of the USC campus (absolutely gorgeous!!). I also don’t think school will be quite as stressful there as it might be at northwestern. I don’t really mind that it isn’t located in the best part of LA (I feel like I will spend most of my time on campus anyway).

thanks guys!

2

Easily Northwestern, even if you don’t go greek, the social scene there is very good. And Medill is one of the best journalism schools in the country, and you can easily get a minor or second major from another school.

3

In wouldn’t say easily NW. it’s a top school and their journalism degree is elite in that field. But plenty of journalists are successful from everywhere. Cost fit and academic interests are part of the equation.

I would say your sophisticated employer and grad school would value a degree from both schools depending on professional field. If you want to be in broadcast journalism I might even pick usc for the alumni base. But written journalism NW is the more sought after degree.

4

If you are willing to work hard, then Northwestern University is the better choice in your case due to your interests in Journalism & Economics.

Because you were admitted to Medill, you can double major in economics.

Northwestern has one of the top journalism schools in the country & in the world. Northwestern is also outstanding for economics majors.

Could possibly lead to a career with the Wall Street Journal. Or a position in Investment Banking or Consulting or Analyst.

There is no better college or university in the world for your two intended majors for a double major undergraduate student.

5

Did you not apply directly to Medill? I know you can transfer, but Idk if you can transfer for the first quarter.

I’m pretty stressed at NU, but I am just an anxious person. Greek life and parties are big here if you’re into that, so it’s definitely not a place where people just study all day. Also, for most people who aren’t in greek life, they are usually in at least 1 or 2 clubs or other activities. The orgs fair at the beginning of the year is huge, and they are always eager to recruit new freshmen. They will bribe you with candy to join their clubs.

Also idk anything about USC cuz I hate hot weather so didn’t look at CA schools. are the financial packages similar?

6

@soontobecolleger yeah cost wise they are the same. I was already accepted to Medill :slight_smile: Also are you still having a good time at Northwestern or are you just too stressed? Thanks

7

I don’t like college tbh but I’d rather be at this one than any other one.

8

South Carolina (USC) is a good school with better weather, pretty girls & a laid back atmosphere. Why would you want to go to cold, serious NU ? Are you after a job or something like that ???

As I wrote in your other thread, I do not know of a better school in the country for one wishing to double major in Journalism & Economics than Northwestern University.

9

Academic and environmental (campus) fit are better at Northwestern. Location and maybe weather fit (?) are better at USC. I think academic fit is the most important fit category, right there with cost. For that reason, I think you should choose Northwestern. Their J school is outstanding and they are strong in just about everything else, in case you changed your mind.

10

@Publisher point taken. Thanks man

11

If you were able to work for the Wall Street Journal for two or three years after finishing up a double major at Northwestern University, you should be a sought after candidate by the most elite (M-7 = magnificent seven) MBA programs including Harvard, Stanford & Northwestern’s Kellogg School (located on Northwestern’s stunningly beautiful North Shore campus).

Once you understand & experience the power of the press, and once you are armed with a prestigious MBA during your mid-20s & work experience at a major newspaper, you will have positions & career options offered to you rarely seen by others.

12

@Cubbybear I’m the parent of an NU student. I want to approach your question from a different angle. You are concerned about the social life outside Greek life and don’t want to study all the time. So what do you like to do? One thing that amazes me about NU students (and it’s probably true for USC, too) is that they are involved in so many varied groups. And these groups all have social activities in addition to their primary purpose. A friend of my D’s is an Engineering major and has leadership positions with an a capella group and a student theatre board. Another friend (Medill) is in a dance performance group, works part-time and is on the WAA-MU exec board. My D is very involved with Camp Kesem (an activity/party every week) and student theatre. She takes a Sat. class in Chicago and regularly goes in for museums and plays. I’m sorry that I don’t know anything about activist or student government groups. What do you envision yourself doing at college when you’re not studying?

13

Congrats on having two great options.

Both are top schools in terms of communication and journalism. USC is stronger in terms of modern media potentially (online/tv/film & new media), and Northwestern may still be stronger in terms of traditional print journalism. Aside from their common strengths academically, they could not really be more different in terms of other aspects. USC is clearly stronger in terms of the social scene, weather, strength of its alumni network globally, school spirit/athletics and the traditional overall college experience / quality of student life. But in certain circles, Northwestern will be deemed more impressive on a resume. You may thus want to decide in terms of where you want to settle and work after graduation. If in the midwest or northeast, Northwestern may make more sense for you. For basically anywhere else, I would lean toward USC. Your wording above seems to be a lean toward USC… so if that is your gut instinct, you may want to follow your heart. I am certainly confident that you will enjoy your 4 yrs more as a Trojan than as a Wildcat. I have only known a few people that went to Northwestern. Their comments about it only seemed to be positive when referring to the education/academics itself. On every other topic, they sort of made it seem like the stuff you have to put up with or deal with to achieve that quality education. Too many… that may not seem like a good enough trade-off. But if Chicago, NYC or DC are in your future sights for jobs after college, maybe you should simply deal with the potential negatives at Northwestern and go there. Your diploma will possibly mean more in those geographic areas.

With two daughters at USC currently, I am clearly biased in favor of USC & L.A. My youngest chose USC over Princeton as her two final choices… and is happy that she did so.

Good luck with your decision…

1 Like
14

OP

It sounds like NU has everything you want, but you don’t like the weather. I’m not being glib. For some people, issues like geography and weather (especially if it affects one’s mood) can be important. But this feels more like a preference thing with you.

Others here have more familiarity with NU. I am from Chicago and jumped on the NU bandwagon when they went to the Rose Bowl in 1995 (against USC!). I haven’t jumped off since. For what it’s worth, if you’re a college football fan, USC will provide a more competitive team and a rocking stadium. The Wildcats have improved and are fun to watch too.

I’ve heard a lot of things about NU, but it’s lackluster social scene is not one of them. Again, I do not have direct experience. I find Evanston quite nice, with the CTA stop that makes access to Chicago easier. Yes, the winters suck, and though the lakefront location means slightly higher temperatures, it also means more snow and bitter winds (thus, the city’s nickname). It can be a b****, no doubt.

I don’t know. I also admire both schools equally, and I do love CA. I get that. But I’d still go with NU because it seems like–weather and location aside–it has more of what you want.

15

@WWWard just as I was about to commit to NU, your message made me rethink my decision. I’m glad you mentioned that your daughter choose USC over Princeton; guess I’m not the only one looking to get a good education AND have fun in college. I was wondering if you think USC will be just as good as NU in terms of getting a job if I plan to live on the West coast after college

16

@Publisher do you think USC will be as good for getting a job after college if I plan to live in California? I do plan to move to the west coast, even if I go to NU

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@Hapworth thank you—very helpful!

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@Cubbybear USC is better for alumni network in Cali than NW. not saying better school just answering your specific question in post #15

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@cubbybear

Yes… certainly. I have visibility to both of my daughters’ email feeds, and I can attest to a massive amount of daily emails related to internship opportunities, career fairs/seminars/group sessions, alumni networking, etc. And I do mean daily… even for my freshman daughter.

USC takes aiding Trojans very seriously. And they refer to their global alumni network (now over 400K strong) as the Trojan Family, Trojan Network and even the USC Mafia or Trojan Mafia for a reason. They promote, push, urge and aid each other relentlessly. If you plan to live on the west coast after college, you will be well served by attending USC. The internship and job opportunities even while you are there in L.A. as a student are insane.

And aside from that aspect… the sheer volume of daily activities available to students there is hard to comprehend. My older daughter graduates next month. During the past 4 yrs, she has accomplished a ton of activities that are just not readily available elsewhere… concerts, plays, museums, various beaches, hikes in the Hollywood Hills, exploring a multitude of different food types/cultures, being in a Green Day video, being in student films and short films and TV pilots, going to worldwide major film premieres, seeing seminars on campus involving world leaders, film stars and tycoons of business/industry, etc.

I personally went to JHU. My college experience and especially what schools like JHU, NU, etc. lack is why I urged them to attend USC over schools like Rice, Emory, Princeton, etc. With USC, you get the quality education and extensive opportunities… but you also get everything else too that a REAL college experience should afford you…

My daughters especially found the Niche college rankings & surveys helpful, as they included the student & alumni surveys and went into a much broader spectrum of topics of interest to them as potential students other than just comparative academic prowess… like dorms, student life, party scene, athletics team support, etc. Overall, USC gets an A+ and is currently ranked 19 overall among national universities. Its scores were… Academics A+, Value A+, Diversity A+, Campus A, Athletics A+, Party Scene A+, Professors A+, Location B+, Dorms B+, Campus Food A-, Student Life A+, Safety B. There are also a list of rankings on many topics too numerous to mention. USC is ranked as the #1 big college in America (out of 126) and # 10 out of 1501 colleges in America in terms of the best student life.

Schools like NU are great… but to me, they just do not offer all that USC does.

20

Of course USC places well in Southern California, but placement varies by industry.

P.S. I do not really understand the above post with respect to what USC offers that Northwestern does not. Clearly Northwestern does not offer a Southern California location, but beyond that I wonder how the above poster would know what NU offers & doesn’t offer.

Northwestern University has a massive endowment of approximately $10 billion dollars & can afford to offer the best of everything & has many opportunities which are rarely discussed outside of one’s department. Northwestern’s endowment places it within the top 10 of all 850 colleges & universities which belong to NACUBO.

Also, Niche ratings & rankings are highly subjective & not based on anything more advanced than a junior high school popularity contest.

Nevertheless, too solid schools from which to choose.