<p>Hi,
Does anyone out there have any items to add to my pros and cons list?</p>
<p>michigan is sooo much better…they are not even comparable whatsoever</p>
<p>no contesst</p>
<p>Michael Phelps smoked pot at USC…though I’m still trying to figure out if that would be a PRO (hangs out at the school), or a CON (not very good at getting out of trouble…implies stupidity). You choose.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>Spring204, thanks for your input. Can you explain why?
For U of M, there’s the name, (prestige), but I keep hearing that it’s ‘cut throat’ and ‘extremely competitive’, very large, poor workout facilities, but I do like that it’s 1.5 hrs. from home 
USC-Columbia is well respected, and has given me some great scholarships. The good weather doesn’t hurt either. I’d also be a Capstone Scholar there, which means additional support, research opportunities and a great dorm, great workout facility…oh boy
Anyone else have any opinions?</p>
<p>Yes, too bad about Michael Phelps. In my opinion, if he was looking for it, he was going to find it, and that goes for any university.</p>
<p>I know University of South Carolina is ranked 1 in international business…right? What major are you going for? I guess it depends on that.</p>
<p>Even if SC is ranked #1 in International Business, it does not mean that it is actually better for students looking to work internationally. In fact, schools like Haas, Ross, Sloan, Stern and Wharton are all much better at placing their students internationally.</p>
<p>If cost isn’t an issue, Michigan over SC by a sizeable margin. As many have already pointed out, SC is a decent schoo, but Michigan is in a different league.</p>
<p>poor workout facilities? LOL.</p>
<p>I admit that CCRB may not be the greatest gym given how Michigan’s a DIV-I powerhouse, but I’m willing to bet it’s better than whatever USC-Columbia’s got.</p>
<p>You seem to have your finger on the pulse of U of M. I’m looking at going into Biology, with grander hopes of continuing on to Med School. Is there any truth to the talk that classes are very large, and very challenging…
I am the kind of student that needs to ask questions, get to know my instructors, and have some rapport instead of sitting in a large lecture hall and being just another face in the crowd. To get into Med School, GPA is very important. I’m a hard worker, but don’t know if the bar is set too high at this ultra competitive school.
Feel free to set me straight on any misconceptions I may have
Also, can you comment on U of M fitness center, dorms, (A/C, internet access, cleanliness).
Quality of life is important as well.
Can’t thank you enough for your insights!</p>
<p>Hi,
The Strom Thurmond wellness center at USC Columbia is probably the most beautiful workout facility I’ve seen to date. You might like to take a look
It’s brand new, grecian outdoor pool, sand volleyball courts…looks like a resort. Okay, not that there isn’t way more that is important in deciding between U of M and this school, but that quality of life experience does come into play.
I do agree that U of M is a very beautiful school from the tour I was on. How does this reflect on a whole with LSA and undergrad dorms in your opinion?
Many thanks!</p>
<p>Rapunzle, your choice is easy. Michigan is a far… FAR superior school to SC. Your question is not even worth dignifying wiht a response. It would be like asking a Cornell vs SUNY or Brown vs UMass question. Michigan is one of the nation’s top 20 universities, SC is clearly not one of the top 100.</p>
<p>If you are worried about not being able to compete with Michigan students and you want a to maintain a 3.7+ GPA to apply to Medical school, then you should probably consider SC. </p>
<p>Large classes will exist everywhere. Professors at schools like Cal, Columbia, Cornell, Michigan, Penn and UCLA will just not have the time to answer too many Freshmen questions and they certainly will not have time to build ties with their undergraduate students. Sorry, but that’s the honest truth. Professors at elite universities have a full time job raising funds, running their multi-million dollar research projects and advising their haldful of POhD students that in the grand scheme of things, undergrads will always take the back seat. That does not mean that you cannot talk to faculty or do research for them, but it does mean that you will have to take the initiatrive and you will have to learn on your own.</p>
<p>And one more thing, I am not sure I would want to attend a school which has a recreation facility named after a racist segregationist. That’s just me of course.</p>
<p>“I’d also be a Capstone Scholar there, which means additional support, research opportunities and a great dorm, great workout facility…oh boy”</p>
<p>I doubt recruiter give a damn about whatever capstone scholar is, but they would probably make the distinction between michigan and south carolina.</p>
<p>Alexandre, firstly, congrats on your new status!
I can see your opinion is hands down, no comparison between the schools. It’s been difficult as a ‘newbie’ to differenciate between the colleges, in terms of what makes them the best.
When you say the U of M and USC Columbia aren’t in the same league, could you clarify? I’m sure your list would be a mile long, but if you have a moment, what should a freshman consider important?
Many thanks :)</p>
<p>“what should a freshman consider important?”</p>
<p>future job prospect.</p>
<p>“When you say the U of M and USC Columbia aren’t in the same league, could you clarify?”</p>
<p>He means that there is no comparison whatsoever between the two schools. I’ve never, ever in my experience on CC seen a question such as this. Michigan is a top school and South Carolina is your average run-of-the-mill public school. End of story.</p>
<p>Respectfully…I don’t think this forum is one in that anyone can’t truthfully ask an important question. In all of the forums, it seems that you think my question was silly. Yes U of M is in the top 20…how do they treat their undergrads wanting to go into medicine? I am trying to figure it out. Why knock USC Columbia when they are very well respected and have an infinite amount of distinguished scholars. They sought me out, full ride, lots of pre professional advising…whereas everything I see at U of M suggests it’s extremely competitive, hence not alot of time for undergrads. Trust me, I love U of M and still wonder if I will be just another number there. I was asking for some unbiased perspective, that’s all.
For those that just gave their opinions/impressions, thank you!</p>
<p>Rapunzle, SC is not a “very well respected” university. It is a decent university, which is not a bad thing. As you pointed out, they have given you a full ride, and that is something worth considering, particularly since you intending on going to Medical school in the future. </p>
<p>But beyond that, there really isn’t much SC will provide that will come close to Michigan. They may seem more attentive to you now, but that’s because they know a student such as you will have much better offers. They have to give you this special attention to get you to commit to them. Once at SC, they will not really have the resources that are availlable at Michigan to give you a similar experience. At the same time, do not expect Michigan to cater to you. There is a price to pay when you attend a top university. You must take the initiative and make things happen. If you are willing to shoulder that responsibility, the opportunities afforded to you by the University will far exceed those availlable to you at SC.</p>
<p>Since you got a full ride, the decision becomes harder of course. If you are 100% sure of your plans to go to Medical school, SC may be the better choice. Otherwise, I would say Michigan will serve you better.</p>
<p>As far as the original question goes, when I read the title, I thought to myself, ‘This guy better be getting a lot of money to go to USC.’ If the costs were relatively equal, then, yes, UMich is just in a different league. My college counselor never even brought up USC, but she brought up schools like Vanderbilt, Duke, Emory, GT and others that are a high caliber down south (what I was looking for). Now, from what I can tell, you really like USC because of the fit, the price, the program your in, the honors program, etc. This tells me you should go there. But if you don’t mind the cost, weather, atmosphere, and challenging academics, then UMich would definitely be the better school.</p>
<p>wrong wrong wrong! we’re like top 5 for state-of-the-art workout facilities! it’s been featured all over the country and is one of the top selling points to visitors of the university!</p>