Quick! I have 6 days to persuade my parents why USC is superior to Rice

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Long story short-- I really don't want to go to Rice, but it's way cheaper than USC for me and, since Rice is ranked higher, my parents are pushing it. I need COMPELLING reasons why they should shell out the extra dough for USC. The fact that I can't see myself at Rice, and don't think I would be happy there socially or academically, doesn't matter. Come up with reasons good enough to persuade an Asian dad and you'll be my hero!</p>

<p>Also, I have no idea what I want to major in/do with my life, but I'd be in Dornsife at USC (and Thematic Honors). I'm toying with double majoring in like... bio and polisci or IR, or something like that. Really no idea at this point.</p>

<p>All I want is to go to USC you guys. I love everything about the school. Help!!</p>

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<p>Only six schools made Princeton Review’s 2012 lists of dream schools by both parents and students, reflecting USC’s rising academic reputation: USC, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton and MIT. Rice did not. Plus you would be a Trojan, much cooler than an owl…:)</p>

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<p>We are Houstonians and thought Rice was going to be the golden ring for our daughter. </p>

<p>After a campus visit one Saturday it was removed from our list. </p>

<p>Rice is very research driven. USC is as well, but at USC there is a human component to the research. It is applicable in the real world, not just locally, but globally. Rice does not have the community or global presence that USC does. </p>

<p>Our daughter will be attending USC and we are thrilled. Los Angeles is full of wonderful opportunities! She can’t wait to get out Houston. (I am jealous and wish I could go, too!)</p>

<p>I hope that the importance of “fit” is realized and that you get to go where you want.</p>

<p>Best of luck. :)</p>

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<p>Not knowing for sure what you want to study would put USC at the top of my list. The school offers so many opportunities. USC encourages students to find what they are passionate about and to double major, especially if the two topics are completely different. My D was accepted to both USC and UCLA and although UCLA is half the cost for us, we have not only supported her decision to go to USC but have encouraged her to choose USC as well. My D is overly excited about the opportunity to not only dive into her major as a freshman but to explore her other passions and hopefully discover more. As a parent it is important for me that my D goes to the school that “fits” her and USC is it. We have visited/toured the campus 5 times in the last 6 months and every time she falls in love with it more. As a parent I also know that because this is the school for her, she will succeed at USC. Which is important because now she is definitely considering grad school.</p>

<p>I hope this gives you some ideas to share with your parents. Also remind them about the opportunities that you will have after graduation because of the Trojan family. You may also want to remind you dad about the diverse student population at USC.</p>

<p>Best of Luck!</p>

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<p>If you eventually want to settle in Texas, a degree from Rice will go a very long way. Plus it’s cheaper, so I may agree with your Dad. </p>

<p>USC will be better if you eventually want to work and settle in Southern California.</p>

<p>L.A. weather >>>> Houston weather
USC football >>>> Rice football</p>

<p>But I don’t think these will convince your father.
Good luck!</p>

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<p>I think I understand your predicament on another level. My nephew was accepted to west point, Annapolis, Texas a&m, and Baylor. He’s a football player from a good private school. Princeton recruited him and Stanford just offered him a full ride…growing up he always told me he wanted to go to USC. But his pop, my brother, is pushing him to west point. My nephew believed he was too small to play for USC so he never applied.</p>

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<p>Can your parents afford USC? I know in my college selection net cost was an important factor.</p>

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<p>Trojan family alumni network will prove to be invaluable, and LA is an amazing city for career aspirations. work that angle. also, note that USC and Rice’s USNWR ranking (I’m assuming this is the one he cares about) are only 6 spots apart, which is hardly anything to make a decision purely based on because they’re both amazing schools. Also, USC is on the rise with record high applications and record low admit rate. Good luck!</p>

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<p>If your Dad is looking at the U.S. News rankings there are only 5 universities between the two choices, not a chasm. Both options have the same freshmen retention rates of 97%. SC has far more breadth of majors and minors. It is more diverse, both ethnically and economically. Both have low student faculty ratios. SC’s alumni giving rank is far higher. </p>

<p>You mentioned your Dad is Asian. Is he aware these individuals are USC alumni?</p>

<p>Dr. Chang Young Jung-President of Yonsei University
Hang Young-Hoon-Former Prime Minister of Rep. of South Korea
Shiro Naba-President of Ferragamo Japan
Ms. Siriport Chaiyasuta, General Counsel Chevron Asia South, Ltd.
Takeo Miki-Former Prime Minister of Japan
Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkohn-Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr. Mu Dan Ping-President of the World Heritage Foundation
Yang Ho Cho-President of Korean Air Lines
Ronnie Chan-Chrm. of Hang Lung Group. Ltd.
Toshiaki Ogasawara-Chrm. and Publisher of The Japan Times
Feng Deng-Co Founder of Net Screen Technologies
Arthur Lin-Famous inventor
Goanpot Asvinvichit-Pres. & CEO of Government Savings Bank
Bongrak Sohn-Chrm of TCC Steel & Director of Korea Intl. Trade Association
Don Young Cho-Exec. VP Corp. Comm. of Renault Samsung Motors
Seokgu Yun -CEO of Security Technology
Ming Hsieh-Founder of Cogent Systems-Donated over $85 million to USC
Andrew Subowo-Managing Director Bramadi Capital
Seung-Yu-Kim-Chrm. of Hana Financial Group
Rich Wang-Head of Shanghai Fuller Foods
Dr. Shang-Hua Teng-Chair of USC Dept. of Computer Science, Fulkerson Prize, Sloan Fellowship and the Godel Prize</p>

<p>SC offers study abroad programs in 33 countries. These vary from semester, year and summer programs.</p>

<p>Faculty include Nobel Prize winners, Pritzer Prize, Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright Fellowships, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winners, Academy Awards and PEN/Faulkner Award and MacArthur Awards. There is a long list of Luce Scholars, Guggenheim Fellows and members of national and international academies. Professors have received National Medals and many international awards such as the Honda Award, National Science Foundation Career Award, Crystal Award and other prestigious honors.</p>

<p>There are honors programs such as Freshmen Science Honors, the highly respected Thematic Option, Engineering Honors, Marshall Global Leadership Program and numerous undergraduate opportunities for undergraduate research.</p>

<p>About 80 religious groups offer social and religious programs. Housing options include eight residential “colleges” with faculty masters in residence, dorms and special interest floors.</p>

<p>Los Angeles offers Los Angeles Symphony Concerts, ballet, opera, The Music Center, Performing Arts Center, museums, galleries, theatres, libraries and a short distance away the Getty Center, famous Norton Simon Museum and Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.</p>

<p>The Trojan Family…</p>

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<p>Houston (Rice), Humid, thunderstorms, flooding, power failures, huge unidentifiable insects, terrible drivers on 610 loop, occasional hurricanes, no lakes, no rivers, no good recreation, refinery smells. Good mexican food, good mesquite BBQ, Houston Rockets.</p>

<p>USC- Socal beaches, Disneyland, sunny dry weather, Palm tress, mega culture and entertainment, mountains, occasional earthquake, happy and vibrant student body, thematic option, good mexican food, LA Lakers.</p>

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<p>plus USC is the fastest rising university in the nation</p>