<p>Alright.
So I am making my decision freaking friday about where i will be spending the next 4+ years of my life (hopefully just 4, but you never know. and also, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHM SO STRESSED SO STRESSED SO STRESSED SO STRESSED)
Majoring in Spanish and International Relations wherever I go. In-state in Maryland, but money is not an issue. In my mind, I had narrowed my choices down to Maryland or Ohio State, but my parents keep pushing Univ of South Carolina, so I figure I'll just throw it back in there...entertain the option...
so what are the pros and cons for each school, as you see it? my brother is a junior at Maryland right now, and we're pretty close so if nothing else, that gives maryland an emotional appeal.</p>
<p>sooo yeah. Maryland Scholars Program, South Carolina Capstone Scholars, Ohio State Honors. Ready...GO (please)</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about the other schools, but I should say that if you don’t have an interest in USC, then you shouldn’t just put it back in your list because your parents want you to go there. That just seems like a disaster waiting to happen.</p>
<p>Aside from that, if you’re a Capstone scholar, then you aren’t in the Honors College at USC, which means I don’t think you’ll get any “honors” classes at USC. I’ve heard that the benefits of Capstone aren’t academic at all.</p>
<p>Of course putting those two aside… What exactly do you want in a school? I think that USC probably would suit you really well major-wise, but that’s about all I can say from just reading your post. XD If you want to be somewhere where it’s warm, then USC is a good place to be. If you want to be somewhere “different”, then USC might be a good place for you. You just kind of need to figure out a little bit as to what exactly you want in a school.</p>
<p>I guess I didn’t really help very much, but I do wish you luck on your decision. I know it’s a tough one. I have some friends who didn’t get into any of their top choices and are now choosing between the schools they got in (which are still really amazing schools!), but they just have no idea.</p>
<p>After reading the responses here plus on the same question under OSU and UMD, I’d say go to OSU. It puts you in a pretty great honors program that comes with all the percs - small, discussion-based classes, priority registration, etc., which you won’t get either as a CP Scholar or a USC Capstone Scholar (both are essentially living-learning community programs, which are fun but not that good at overcoming the disadvantages of very large state universities). OSU is well ranked for your chosen programs. DD is in USC’s Honors College and loves it, but it works like OSU’s. The Capstone program doesn’t, although all the kids I know who are in it are happy and don’t feel disadvantaged. USC is a beautiful school with some strong depts. and a friendly atmosphere. The in-state kids take the OOSers home for fall break pr a few days after May exams until we can pick her up. I hear OSU has the same sort of friendliness - just mid-western instead of southern hospitality. </p>
<p>You already know what you’re in for at UM-CP. Same huge school, impersonal administration & professors, and the typical northeast kids that you’ve been in high school with. If you want to see life from a different region of the country, try OSU or USC. Yeah, it’s four years away from home, but hey, IT’S ONLY FOUR YEARS! And by the 2nd semester of freshman year, you’re established in college life and really DON’T want to come home more than 1-2 times per semester. </p>
<p>DD got into UM-CP Scholars, but hated the limitations - you have to apply to get into the over-enrolled majors, you couldn’t take the honors classes, and the amazing internships/research positions were reserved for the very top of the dept’s undergrads, so most students were on their own to find much less prestigious opportunities. IMHO, you’re looking for what makes the college smaller & more personalized to your interests & needs. </p>
<p>You can find worthwhile internships regardless of where you go to school, especially since you’ll probably be home in MD for summers. Top-notch grad programs are full of students from all state flagship universities - it’s more about your GPA, research/internship experiences, and connections with your professors that’ll set you apart for grad school. So figure out where you’ll be treated the best, and go there if you can afford the tuition, room & board, travel expenses, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>Cammac, if you’ve already decided, please disregard my comments! I don’t know much about MD, but a lot about OSU and USC. Both my Ds were accepted to OSU Honors, as well as scores of their friends. Probably 50% of our public high school’s grads end up there. I don’t know that anyone we know is having the Honors experience as promised, including the NMFs, certainly not like we are experiencing with South Carolina. It’s just the sheer size of the incoming class. How many get into OSU Honors? </p>
<p>Our youngest decided on South Carolina Honors. The freshman class only had 321 in Honors. The Honors Residence is beautiful, it’s only been open two years. Her classes are small, almost too small, she might say, but she’s been able to meet tons of people by getting involved in campus activities. They also give you TWO advisors, one for Honors and one for your major. It’s a big school, but their Honors program definately gives a small feel. I don’t think that’s true at OSU no matter how hard they try. </p>
<p>OSU didn’t offer nearly as much money to us as SC did, if cost is important to you. And, SC weather is better than Ohio any day. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. Good Luck to you wherever you land!</p>