<p>So I believe I will not be accepted to any IVIES and I think I'm going to end up in one of these two magnificent schools. Assuming I receive the same aid package from both of them, I will need some help deciding on which school to attend. Can you guys give me some input? </p>
<p>I plan on majoring in something related to Business, probably Finance or Accounting as well as another major in Econ/PolySci/Language (one of them). While Notre Dame's Business School, Mendoza, is ranked #1 according to business week and USC's, Marshall, is ranked #26, I can't help but think about location and weather. Notre Dame's weather isn't too pleasant and it's in the middle of no where. USC has pleasant weather year round and is in the heart of downtown LA. Though ND is 2 hours from Chicago, it still is basically in the middle of no where. Not to mention USC's football team appears to be much better than ND's. Notre Dame's biz school is obviously much better than USCs but I am sure my opportunities in LA will be much more vast than if I were stuck in South Bend, Indiana. So I want to know what you guys think. Any input on this will be very helpful as I decide where to attend in the fall.</p>
<p>You personally sound like you’re favoring USC. Business Week’s rankings have been heavily criticized, so that shouldn’t be a factor in your decision.</p>
<p>I am honestly leaning towards USC but ND’s business school seems much more reputable and I’m going into that field so this is a really hard choice for me.</p>
<p>Okay. Well, at USC, you’ll build connections with folks in Los Angeles, so you’ll probably want to stay there if you go to USC. Notre Dame is the same way with Chicago.</p>
<p>Business week’s ranking should not factor in your decision because it is a joke. And ND’s B-School doesn’t have the clout, the business culture, and the nation-wide reputation of Marshall. If that is the ONLY reason you choose ND, you will regret. </p>
<p>Businessweek’s rankings are a joke. This is why I hate all of these stupid rating magazines. Wharton is tops for business at the undergraduate level. There are others that are more highly regarded as well.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? I have visited both campuses and I feel that ND’s campus is much more impressive. Visiting ND is almost a religious experience. You just can’t beat Touchdown Jesus, the Golden Dome, and the Grotto. There’s also a very palpable family atmosphere at ND.</p>
<p>I live in Southern California and personally, I don’t really like LA. It just seems too crowded and smoggy (I’m much more in favor of San Diego because it has better beaches, is less crowded, cleaner, has less of the Hollywood feel, etc…). Both schools seem to be in their own little bubbles and isolated from the run-down areas surrounding them (downtown South Bend for ND and south central for USC). Also, FYI, USC is not in the heart of downtown and is actually closer to south central than downtown. </p>
<p>Just remember, as either a ND or SC grad, you will have connections throughout the country, so I wouldn’t be too worried about that. ND and USC both have excellent business programs and you should be successful at either school. If this decision comes down to weather or girls, definitely go with USC. </p>
<p>PS: “Not to mention USC’s football team appears to be much better than ND’s.”
Well, USC may have had the better team for around the last 8 years, but ND is coming back. Lane Kiffin (USC’s new HC) is a shady character and hasn’t accomplished anything as a HC. I have a feeling that he will not be at USC very long and will leave the school with numerous NCAA violations (USC is already under investigation for several violations that occurred under Pete Carroll). Meanwhile, Brian Kelly looks like he is the right fit for ND. It is only a matter of time before ND returns to national prominence.</p>
<p>“What is amazing is that the great football programs actually do these two great institutions an injustice in the perceived academics area”</p>
<p>ND and USC are both recognized as some of the top schools in the country and their competitive athletic programs don’t hurt their academic prestige.</p>
<p>These are two of the most prominent football programs in the Nation and they bring in a huge amount of revenue to help support academics. As a matter of fact, football generates $97million annually for ND and $23 million of that is used to fund academic programs. Also, a large portion of ND’s $9 million TV contract is used for financial aid. I’m sure that USC’s football program generates a similar amount of revenue.</p>
<p>“ND and USC are both recognized as some of the top schools in the country and their competitive athletic programs don’t hurt their academic prestige.”</p>
<p>IMHO it was their competitive athletic programs, especially in Notre Dame’s case, that helped their academic prestige. Neither school were considered much of an academic powerhouse 50 years ago.</p>
<p>Thanks SOC2015. That was extremely constructive for me. Thanks a whole bunch. I’ve visited Notre Dame and I have yet to visit USC. I think I’m liking USC right now, but I definitely need to do some more thinking first.</p>
<p>Yeah seriously, never mind the business school rankings; with undergrad b-schools it’s pretty much about overall fit and not prestige/reputation, barring Wharton.</p>
<p>^^^Not true. Undergrad business rankings are very important, moreso than just about any major. The OP should go to the “business” area on cc for college majors and pose his/her question there.</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t say that Notre Dame’s business school is “obviously” better than USC’s, because it’s really not (and I’m not just saying that as a USC Marshall student). Both are highly regarded and you are lucky to have both as options. That said, I’d choose one based on fit. One of my best friends goes to ND, and from what she says, ND and USC have completely different cultures. She says that ND gets as depressing as it gets during the winter, and USC is blessed with southern Californian weather, so it’s hard not to be extremely happy year round when the weather is gorgeous every. single. day. There’s no Greek life at ND, whereas the Greek system is a dominant force in the social scene here at USC. ND is… well, Catholic (although she says people are supportive even if you aren’t Catholic and it isn’t as uber conservative as it used to be… but it still isn’t secular). ND is in the middle of nowhere, whereas USC is in downtown Los Angeles. According to my ND friend who visited USC this year, our student body is comprised of all models and puts ND’s to shame (but it’s hard to compete with our student body, period)… ;D </p>
<p>The list could go on and on, so pick the culture that appeals to you the most!</p>