<p>I am deciding between Tufts and USC. I want to study international relations with an emphasis on Latin America. I love USC because it is far away from home (I am from upstate New York) and I love the school spirit and social atmosphere. However, I recognize that the international relations program at Tufts is probably superior. I love how I can participate in so many things at Tufts due to its size. However, it's very close to home and its sports cannot really compare to the Trojans. I want to set myself up for a great, successful future, but I also want to have a blast doing it. Any advice I would appreciate. Thank you!!!</p>
<p>People change their majors all the time — it sounds like you will be happier at USC</p>
<p>Proximity to home–you can establish an understanding, a written contract if need be, about how often the parents can contact you and how often you can be expected to contact them. It’s not like they’re going to be swinging by any time at all. It’s hours away! If you think you have parents who cannot respect your wishes and your boundaries, then go to USC. But proximity of home to Tufts most often is not a reason not to go to a school as fine as Tufts, esp since you know it has so much to offer you. USC is a fine school and some day soon may rank with Tufts as an undergraduate institution that does a lot of research. I have no horse in this race. I just want you to make a rational decision based on the knowledge you have and not what you imagine you might have. My D may be 20 minutes away in the fall, just like her brother, but we have no plans to see her unless she asks us to. As for sports, there’s enough sports in Boston to rival the sports in LA. You’ve any number of football teams in the fall and several good baseball teams in the spring, with basketball for most of the year. It’s not USC; it could be better if you can get off campus, too. Odds are you’re going to come back to NY a Red Sox fan.</p>
<p>If setting yourself up for your future and having a blast are at odds… Then only YOU can decide which measure is more important. Yes, sports are more dominant at USC, and if attending games and/or participating in athletics is as important as academic caliber/ fit/ quality, and if your definition of “a blast” includes this type of environment, then be Cali-bound. If you want to avail yourself of one of the most prestigious IR programs in the nation at a school that, while supporting sports teams, does not foment nearly the level of sports-related enthusiasm as USC does, then welcome to Tufts (oh, and btw, kids have "a blast’ there, too). </p>
<p>@gondalineNJ I wasn’t trying to come off as ignorant or knock any aspect of one school or another, I just wanted to see others opinions and try to make as much of an informed decision as possible. Thanks everyone for your advice!!</p>