Transferring to Vanderbilt or University of Southern California for EE

<p>I have finished my freshman year at Rochester Institute of Technology studying Electrical Engineering but I decided to apply to some top tier universities to test the waters. Luckily I got an acceptance from Vanderbilt so I ended up paying the deposit and everything but a few days ago I got an acceptance from USC for the Spring semester. I'm torn between these 2 universities, Vanderbilt on one hand is smaller with smaller classes and in a nice area which I like but I heard it's EE department isn't so great. USC on the other hand ranks way higher than Vanderbilt in engineering but not overall, it is also in LA which I think is a plus but my biggest problem with it is that I heard it is huge to the extent that it is comparable to public schools. </p>

<p>I'm transferring out of RIT for sure this fall and I was wondering if it was worth asking USC if they could by any chance change my acceptance to this fall and if they they do should I choose it over Vanderbilt? And if USC doesn't agree to let me in early should I transfer out of Vanderbilt to it later on? </p>

<p>Cost isn't a problem but I'm an international student so the prestige of the university matters when I try to get a job back home. I am also planning to continue my studies and go to grad school if that makes a difference.</p>

<p>You need to visit. Both are good programs, but the experience as a student will be very different. Good luck.</p>

<p>I think of USC as the stronger engineering school, which would have more reach internationally.</p>