<p>So all my decisions have come in and I'm pretty much deciding between the University of South Carolina and Southern Methodist University. The two schools are pretty different, but I like them both a lot so I was hoping for some guidance in this. </p>
<p>Cost is not an issue for my family (thank goodness) but I am definitely taking it into account. SMU costs $35K/year right now (I have two scholarships) but at South Carolina I received the McKissick Scholarship, which brings my COA down to $14K/year. I have also been accepted into the Hilltop Scholars Program at SMU, which is a first-year honors-ish program. </p>
<p>Both campuses are very nice, but I am unsure of SMU's reputation. It seems that people tend to think of it as a place for underachieving rich kids to go and party for four years, which is unfortunate. Also, I want to do Sports Management, which South Carolina has a good reputation in, whereas SMU doesn't offer it so I would just do Business there.</p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>At our visit to USC, we met with the head of the Sports Management program. I was very impressed not only with him, but with the fact that many of the instructors are actually working professionals in the field. Many students change their majors though, so I am not sure if this alone should be the dealbreaker.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about SMU.</p>
<p>Both good schools. Both have party animals (as most colleges do). It really comes down to you, your objectives, your personality, your study skills and discipline. </p>
<p>If sports management is your thing, USC-Columbia has a superb entry point in the SEC with stellar teams and good opportunities for you. Its closer to home, so cuts down on travel expenses. Its not a huge state school, but it is large, whereas SMU is a smaller school.</p>
<p>SMU alumni are very zealous. </p>
<p>Have you been to both campuses? If not, then do so. Like NOW!</p>
<p>And Congratulations!</p>
<p>I’ve been to both and I like different things about both. I feel like South Carolina would have more school spirit/enthusiasm towards athletics which is pretty important to me. But the class sizes concern me a bit.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Yep. The classic dilemma between public and private schools. Only you can decide that. And yes, crunch time is wrenching. However, be calm and deliberate about it. Be grateful you have such wonderful choices. Reflect upon it and make an inventory of your personality traits, interests, and objectives. And then decide. Once you decide, take the plunge and send in your check. Then close the book and move on. It helps to “buy the gear”, literally. </p>
<p>We faced similar gut wrenching choices in 07. And many tears were shed (friends were involved). But we took our plunge and moved on and it has worked out wonderfullly, and in hindsight it was the CORRECT decision.</p>
<p>Be well.</p>
<p>I simply can’t imagine paying more for SMU than somewhere else where you got a prestigious scholarship. SMU is definitely a place for Dallas area rich kids and has a huge Greek scene.</p>
<p>MomofWildChild, I am interested in the Greek scene and (I feel kinda weird saying this), I am a rich kid. And the in-state/OOS split is 50/50. But I dunno, I just feel like some people respect SMU, but oftentimes when people hear SMU in my community I feel like the first thing they think of is the Greek scene or of kids they know that go there, not the business school or anything.</p>
<p>South Carolina by far.</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>SMU most definitely.</p>
<p>I think that you can’t go wrong by choosing each school but you are right, USC has a strong business program but so does SMU.</p>
<p>SMU has an outstanding reputation in the Dallas area so you won’t struggle finding a job. It’s strong name has also branched out into the greater south. A lot of SMU alumni’s have become successful in the south and they actively recruit SMU students.</p>
<p>Don’t confuse graduate programs with undergraduate.</p>
<p>SMU is a fairly elite private school - probably one of the 6 or so strongest private schools in the south, up there with Rice, Emory, Tulane, Duke, and Vanderbilt. SMU’s reputation is prestigious, the campus is beautiful, and so on. And ask yourself - why is it such a bad thing to have the rich kid reputation going for you? People act like that’s death.</p>
<p>I have never heard of an SMU v. South Carolina debate, but I don’t really know enough about South Carolina to condescend. I’m sure as a state flagship it’s got to be a pretty decent school…it just seems real second-fiddle to Clemson.</p>